w gay with autumn flowers, Christine and Alma
sat busily plying their needles and talking together thankfully of the
present, hopefully of the future, when the door opened and the two ladies
and little girl entered.

"How very industrious!" said Zoe. "I have brought my sister, Mrs. Leland,
to see what competent needlewomen you are."

"They are that indeed," Elsie said, examining the work. "I shall be glad
to engage you both to sew for me when you are no longer needed here," she
added with a kindly glance and smile.

Then taking a chair which Zoe had drawn forward for her, she entered into
conversation with the strangers, asking of their past history and their
plans, hopes, and wishes for the future, and completely winning their
confidence by her sweetly sympathizing tones and manner.

They were delighted with her, and she much pleased with them. Christine
had a good, strong face, plain, rugged features, but a countenance that
indicated so much good sense, probity, and kindliness of heart that it
was attractive in spite of its lack of comeliness.

Alma seemed to lean very much upon this older sister. Hers was a more
delicate organization; she was timid and shrinking, and with her fair
complexion, deep blue eyes, golden hair, and look of refinement, was
really quite pretty and ladylike in appearance.

CHAPTER X.

"Who knows the joys of friendship--The
trust, security, and mutual tenderness,
The double joys, where each is glad for both?"

ROWE.

Max Raymond was racing about Miss Stanhope's grounds with the dog that
had given his sister Lulu so great a fright the first night of their stay
in Lansdale. Up one walk and down another they went, the boy whistling,
laughing, capering about, the dog bounding after, catching up with his
playfellow and leaping upon him, now on this side and now on that; then
presently finding himself shaken off and distanced in the race; but only
for a moment; the next he was at the boy's side again or close at his
heels.

"Max! Max!" called an eager child's voice, and Lulu came running down the
path leading directly from the house.

"Well, what is it, Lu?" asked the lad, standing still to look and listen.
"Down, Nero, down! be quiet, sir!"

"Oh, I have something to tell you," replied Lulu, half breathlessly, as
she hurried toward him. "That letter you brought Grandma Elsie from the
post-office this morning was from Aunt Elsie; and they are at home by
this time--she wrote jus