conversation with one or two prominent members. As he approached,
they looked toward him in a certain way that he did not like, and
then, separating, entered the house before he came up. It was too
evident that Harrison had been communicating the incident of the
ring. But Grant was not surprised; he had expected nothing less.
Still, he felt that his brother member had not done towards him in
the matter as he would have liked himself done by. On entering the
church, half a dozen persons turned and looked at him earnestly;
while two or three whispered together, glancing towards him every
now and then, and thus showing that he was the subject of
conversation. As to the theme of discourse between them, his mind
was in no doubt. The gold ring! Yes, that was it.

But little edified by the sermon was Mr. Grant on that morning; and,
when the services were ended, he went quickly from the church, and
took his way homeward without stopping, as on former occasions, to
shake hands and pass a few words with friends and brethren.

It had been the custom of several leading members of the church to
drop in occasionally, during the week, and chat with Grant for ten
minutes or half an hour. But the time from Sunday to Sunday was
passed without a single call from any one of them. The reason for
this was no mystery to the jeweller's mind.

"I don't see that I've been guilty of such a terrible crime," said
he to himself, feeling a little indignant on the subject. "The man
got his money's worth; and, moreover, was served perfectly right.
Did he suppose that he was going to get fine gold for the price of
solder? If so, he found himself mistaken. As for Harrison, he's made
himself remarkably busy about the matter. I would not trust him in a