d how
Ananias and his wife Sapphira were struck dead for mocking the Lord, by
pretending they had given all when they had reserved a part of their
goods. Their sin consisted not so much in keeping back a part as in
lying unto God; and this sin Charlotte was about to commit by
pretending to put in the mission box more than she really did.

Sunday morning dawned bright and lovely. Annie was up and tidily dressed
long before the hour for school. She had time to sing a sweet morning
hymn, and to feed the tame robins with the crumbs she had carefully
swept up, and then with her little Bible sat down to study her lesson
again, and assure herself that she had it perfect. As she read the
sacred volume, and dwelt upon its precious promises, which her mother
had explained to her, she felt doubly sorry for those poor people who
were deprived of so great a blessing; and then she thought of her little
offering, and wished with all her heart it had been more.

Charlotte, on the contrary, awoke late, after an uneasy slumber, and
hurriedly eating her breakfast, for which she had but little appetite,
dressed herself, and opening the box where she kept her little
treasures, took out the gay pink ribbon, and after a long admiring gaze,
pinned it carefully about her neck. As she closed the box cover she saw
the three cents lying in one corner, and hastily put them in her pocket
with a feeling of self-abasement that made her cheeks glow with shame.
She ran quickly down stairs, lest her mother should see her and question
her about the ribbon, for although Mrs. Murray would not have
disapproved of her daughter's purchase, Charlotte dreaded her mother's
ridicule for so soon abandoning her new-fangled notions, as she called
them.

She had promised to call for Annie, and she walked quietly along, hoping
her friend would not notice the ribbon nor ask to see the money. As she
slowly approached Mrs. Grey's cottage, she saw Annie's favorite kitten
jump up in the low window seat to bask in the warm sunshine. Charlotte
saw the little cat put out her paw to play with something, and just as
she was opposite the window a small bright piece rolled down into the
road. She hastened forward and picked it up; it was a bright new
five-pence.

"This must be Annie's," she thought; and looking in the window she saw
the room was empty, and Annie's Bible and handkerchief laid on the
window seat. Puss was busy playing with the leaves of the book, and
Charlotte