take his place with his Sunday school pupils.

'I don't know, I am sure,' replied her friend.

'I can't find any one who does. Do you know, _I_ think he is real
handsome?'

'So do I, if he would only lift his head up and look people in the face;
he is as bashful as a sheep.'

'My little brother is in his class, and he says they all like him so
much. He takes such an interest in his pupils.'

'Then I should think you could find out something about him.'

'No: his name is Meeker; that's all any one seems to know.'

'Funny name; I don't like it.'

'Nor I. Still, we won't condemn him for his name. Besides, I like his
face?'

'Hush!'

Here the conversation of the two young people was interrupted by the
rapping of the superintendent, and the services of the school commenced.

If young ladies of the importance of Miss Tenant and Miss Stanley begin
to talk about Hiram, you may be certain it will spread through the
school and into the church. _He_ knew what was going on--of course he
did; but only took still greater pains with his personal appearance, and
became more shy and reserved and assiduously devout.

The elders of the church could not help noticing him.

The young ladies noticed him.

Heads of families observed his exemplary deportment.

Who could he be?

Dr. Chellis, meantime, did not lose sight of his new communicant. They
frequently met, and Hiram was always greeted, if not with cordiality,
yet kindly. Strange to say, contrary to his habit, the Doctor neglected
or omitted to enter into conversation with Hiram on religious topics. He
felt a repugance to doing so which he could not explain. Everything
seemed so praiseworthy in Hiram's conduct, that one would suppose the
worthy divine would like to engage him in conversation, as the Rev. Mr.
Chase used to do at Burnsville. But a certain aversion prevented it.

When applied to for information about Hiram, the Doctor could say
nothing, for he knew nothing; and so the mystery, for a mystery the
young ladies determined to make of it, increased.

At last a rumor was circulated that Hiram had been disappointed in a
love affair. A mischief-loving girl detailed it to Miss Tenant, whose
interest in the young Sunday school teacher gradually grew stronger, and
it soon became a well-authenticated piece of history.

* * * * *

During this time a species of intimacy was growing up between Hiram
Meeker and Hill. An odd companionsh