dreadfully rich I am. Why
these paltry notes are a mere nothing to such a wealth-encumbered
unfortunate as I. But I thought the money would be a help to you. And you
must take it, Tommy, you must indeed. The Lord told me to give it to you;
and what shall I say to Him, if I allow you to refuse His gift?"

And so the generous will of "the Golden Shoemaker" prevailed; and if he
could have heard and seen all that took place by that humble fireside,
after he was gone, he would have been assured that at least one small
portion of his uncle's wealth had been well-bestowed.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE NEW HOUSE.

"Cobbler" Horn's new house, which was situated, as we have seen, on one of
the chief roads leading out of the town, marked almost the verge, in that
direction, of the straggling fringe of urban outskirts. Beyond it there
was only the small cottage in which had lived, and still resided, the
woman who had seen Marian as she trotted so eagerly away into the great
pitiless world. "Cobbler" Horn had not deliberately set himself to seek a
house upon this road. But, when he found there a residence to let which
seemed to be almost exactly the kind of dwelling he required, the fact
that it was situated in a locality so tenderly associated with the memory
of his lost child, in no degree diminished his desire to make it his
abode.

"It was here that she went by," he said softly to himself, at the close of
their visit of inspection, as he stood with Miss Jemima at the gate; "and
it was yonder that she was last seen."

What were Miss Jemima's thoughts, as she followed, with her eyes, the
direction of her brother's gaze, may not be known; for an unwonted silence
had fallen on her usually ready tongue.

It was a good house, with a pleasant lawn in front, and a yard, containing
coach-house and stables, behind. The house itself was well-built,
commodious, and fitted with all the conveniences of the day. As most of
the furniture was new, the removal of the family was not a very elaborate
process. In this, as in all other things, "Cobbler" Horn found that his
money secured him the minimum of trouble. He had simply given a few
orders--which his sister, it is true, had supplemented with a great many
more--; and, when the day of removal came, they found themselves duly
installed in a house furnished with a completeness which left nothing to
be desired.

On their arrival, the