than a little girl?" Tommy
Dudgeon did not seem to be troubled in that way at all.

"Yes," he said, "I can be quite sure when I have known the little girl as
I knew that one; and when I have watched, and listened to, the young
woman, as I have been watching and listening to the sec'tary for these
months past."

"Cobbler" Horn and Miss Jemima exchanged glances.

"This is truly wonderful!" said he.

"Not at all!" retorted she. "The wonder is, Thomas, that you and I have
been so blind all this time."

"The Golden Shoemaker" smiled gently, as he lay back upon his pillows. The
image of a small, dark-eyed child held possession of his mind; and he had
not been able readily to bring himself to see his little Marian in any
other form. As for any real doubt, there was only a shred of it left in
his mind now. Yet he still said to himself that he must make assurance
doubly sure.

"Well, Tommy," he said, "we are very much obliged to you. And now, will
you do us another kindness? We are expecting some friends this afternoon
who may be able to give us a good deal of light on this subject. Will you
come, when we send for you, and hear what they have to say?"

"That I will!" was the hearty response, "I'll come, Mr. Horn, whenever you
send."

"You have met these friends before, Tommy," said "Cobbler" Horn. "They are
Mr. and Mrs. Burton--at the 'Home,' you know."

Tommy nodded.

"They found Miss Owen when she was a very little girl; and brought her up
as their own child; and we hope that what they may tell us about her will
help us to decide whether what we think is true."

Tommy nodded again with beaming eyes, and shortly afterwards took his
leave.

"Now, brother," said Miss Jemima, "you must take some rest, or we shall
have you ill again."

"Not much danger of that!" replied "Cobbler" Horn, smiling. "I think,
please God, I've found a better medicine now, than all the doctors in the
world could give me."

"Yes; but you are excited, and the reaction will come, if you do not take
care."

"Well, perhaps you are right, Jemima. But first, don't you think she had
better be out of the way when Mr. and Mrs. Burton come?"

"Yes, I've thought of that; she can take that poor girl along the road for
a drive."

"A capital idea. Have it arranged, Jemima."

"Very well. I'll go and see about it at once; and you get to sleep."

CHAPTER XLI.

NO ROOM FOR DOUBT!

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