This renewal of intercourse, and the reminiscences of early days which
it called up, were very delightful to both.

The gathering of relatives and friends of course formed far too large a
company for all to lodge in one house, but the three--Aunt Wealthy's and
those of the Duncans and Allisons--accommodated them comfortably for
the few days of their stay, or rather the nights, for during the day
they were very apt to assemble in the parlors and porches of the
cottage.

It was there Elsie and her younger children and Violet and hers took up
their quarters, by invitation, for the time of the visit.

"But where is the captain, your husband?" inquired Aunt Wealthy of
Violet on giving her a welcoming embrace. "I wanted particularly to see
him, and he should not have neglected the invitation of a woman a
hundred years old."

"Dear auntie, I assure you he did so only by compulsion; he would have
come gladly if Uncle Sam had not ordered him off in another direction,"
Violet answered, with pretty playfulness of look and tone.

"Ah, then, we must excuse him. But you brought the children, I hope. I
want to see them."

"Yes; this is his son," Violet said, motioning Max to approach; "and
here are the little girls," drawing Lulu and Grace forward.

The old lady shook hands with and kissed them, saying, "It will be
something for you to remember, dears, that you have seen a woman who has
lived a hundred years in this world, and can testify that goodness and
mercy have followed her all the days of her life. Trust in the Lord, my
children, and you, even if you should live as long as I have, will be
able to bear the same testimony that He is faithful to His promises.

"I say the same to you, too, Rosie and Walter, my Elsie's children," she
added, turning to them with a tenderly affectionate look and smile.

They gazed upon her with awe for a moment; then Rosie said, "You don't
look so very old, Aunt Wealthy; not older than some ladies of eighty
that I've seen."

"Perhaps not older than I did when I was only eighty, my dear; but I am
glad to know that I am a good deal nearer home now than I was then,"
Miss Stanhope responded, her face growing bright with joyous
anticipation.

"Are you really glad to know you must die before very long?" asked Max,
in wonder and surprise.

"Wouldn't it be strange if I were not?" she asked; "heaven is my home.

"'There my best friends, my kindred dwell,
There God my Saviour reigns.'

"I l