h Edith,
busy with her own thoughts, failed to observe.

"Three letters for you to-day, miss," the shopwoman continued, "and one
with a foreign post-mark on it. I'm thinking it'll be from Master
Dick."

Edith lifted the letters. "Yes," she said with a bright smile, "you
are quite right, Janet. It is addressed to my little sister; how
pleased she will be!"

The girl's eyes saddened. "Is Miss Winnie keeping stronger?" she
inquired in a subdued voice; "we were all so sorry to hear about her
illness, dear lamb."

The young lady shook her head. "Not much, Janet; but of course we have
only been here a week as yet. We are hoping she will reap the benefit
of the sea-air by-and-by. Good-morning." And Edith, gathering her
letters together, left the shop and turned slowly in the direction of
home. In a few minutes she heard rapid footsteps behind her, and a
low, sweet voice said gently, "May I be pardoned for addressing Miss
Blake?"

Raising her eyes in surprise, Edith saw the stranger lady close at her
side, looking very much agitated.

"Certainly!" she replied courteously. "Can I assist you in any way?"
And the stranger replied--

"I do not know whether you will ever have heard Winnie speak of me or
not. My name is Latimer, and your little sister was a great friend of
my niece. They were always together at school, and Winnie spent two
afternoons with us when we were in town, I--"

But she was allowed to proceed no further, for Edith stood holding out
her hands, and saying with shining countenance, "You are Aunt Judith,
are you not? I am so pleased to have met you, Miss Latimer. My little
sister is very ill. Will you come and see her now?"

Miss Latimer looked perplexed. "I am staying here at present," she
said simply, "and intend remaining till the end of August; this air
seems so beneficial to my invalid sister. I hardly know how to reply
to your invitation, Miss Blake. I never knew till the other day about
Winnie's accident, and I should dearly like to see the child; but
still--"

"Please do not finish your sentence, Miss Latimer," replied Edith,
blushing with confusion. "We owe you an ample apology for our
rudeness, and both my father and mother will be only too delighted to
see you. Winnie has been calling for you continually, and my brother
went to Dingle Cottage, but found you out of town."

"Yes," said Miss Latimer; "the doctor advised us to come here on
account of my youngest sister.