Year: 1860

hCw the old man always contrlvcd to es-
cape. doubling through the streets in such
a quick and unexpected manner, that
however it was done, he invariably got
away. All sorts of plans had been made
to track him, but they all failed ; and the
brokers' secret was secret still. Little
Teddy. his landlords boy, came the near
est to the discovery, but he lost him at
last somewhere up in the New Road,
near Regents Fark, though that was a
good measure to have taken, too. More
over he saw that Joe was decently dress
ed beneath his shabby old coak-a thing
no one else would wear; and from that
time the report had got about that it was
a love affair, with some mysterious celeb
rity, and that Joe was buying wife with
his gold for she had Californy-worth," T"
said the landlords little boy Teddy.


One evening Joe set out, as usual.
with his shabby old cloak and battered
old hat, but well enough beneath. He
walked cautiously at first, hobbling, as
was natural to him not, with his rheu-
MATES SO bad, but after he had passed
through his particular quarter, turning
round constantly, as If to cough, but in
reality to see if any one were following,
he walked briskly on, cutting through all
sorts Of queer alleys and bye places.
winding and doubling like fox ; the best
topographer in London could not have
| followed him. AT last he came to very
pretty house in Regents Park-a house
evidently inhabited by a gentlewoman of
fortune, as well as of taste; for all the
appointments were in such perfect keep
ing, and there was such wealth of cost
" simplicity about it as could ouly belong
to both of these conditions. The broker
looked up at tie window as he came be-
meath it, and little girl of fourteen or
tifteen-but slight of her age-leaning
out from among the geraniums, cried, IL
answer to his lcok, why Joe, how late
you are touight


That sweet voice! The old man used
to say himself, that he would not ex-
change his "Joe p for a good 6ppun'
note He nodded to her affectioGateiy,
and carefully scraping his shoes, went in
with the air Of a man who knows that he
will be welcome He took off his hat
aud cloak and put them away in dark
corner, and then clean and respectable
looking, he went up stairs to the drawing
room.


A lady, still! beautiful and still young
young at least for the mother OF child
at ffteen-was sitting there embroider-
ing. Surrounded with every luxury
nestled in that lonely home, like bird
in a golden cage-how strange the chance
which had thrown together anything SO
graceful as that lady and old Jew broker
Yet they were well acquainted that they
were even friends for she rose when he
entered, and advanced towards him kind
ly and shook hands with him, and petted
him only as woman can pet, without
any visible overtact. But all that Joe
seemed to wish for was to sit little, and
watch her as she bent over her embrod-
cry, aud to hear again that she was con-
tented and happy.


" Are you certain, sure that you want
for nothing?'' inquired Joe "nor Miss
Margaret neither?"


Nothing, Joe, nothing" and the
sweet lady locked up afectionately, as if
she had spoken to father


"That's enough that is all I want"
muttered Joe, and then he went back into
the depths of his quiet meditation, watch
ing the lady's face, and ever now and
then glancing round the room, as if to
see that all was right, and to find out
where he could alter and improve. AT
ter this had goae on for a short time, joe
MaDpin asked for Margaret IN an un.
couth way, strangely softened, like
mastiff partly me8merized. The lady
rang The bell and Margaret came 1t
seemed to be the usual way in which she
was summoned when the broker was
there, for she came at once, without Civ
ing the servant time to call her. She al
50 showed the most unaffected gratitude
and love for the old man, running up to
him and taking his hand, calling him
- Dear Joe as if she meant it.


"And is there nothing that the little
lady wants said Joe, patting her head
and smoothing down her curls. 4" Has
she gowns and bonnets enough, lady ? for
you know she has but to ask and have"


"Why, Joe, l don't Wear ont such
frock in a week p said Margaret laugh
ing; "aud it was only last Tuesday you
gave that beauty, though l hadn't yet



half worn my blue silk"


Joe Mappin drew her between bis
knees, and held her face in his hands.
" Silver and gold isn't good enough for
you both :" he said with almost passion
of fervor in his voice, so never stint
Yourself for fear of me-


But they both said again that they had
all they could require, "eveu if they


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