beside her, she explained
that her friend, Miss Carpenter, had had occasion that night to go to
the station with her maid, whose nephew was to pass through the city
on his way to a western army post. In the waiting-room her attention
had been attracted by the efforts of a man to annoy a little girl.
Finally it became so marked, and the child seemed so alarmed, that
Miss Carpenter interfered, and appealed to a passing official. Then,
surprised that a girl of her appearance should be travelling alone at
night, she questioned her; and thoroughly frightened, Charlotte had
revealed the fact that she was running away.

"Miss Carpenter is a very decided person, and when she understood the
matter, would not let her go, but instead brought her home, where we
talked it over. I hope you won't think me very presuming when I say
that it seemed to us if there were any way of keeping it quiet, it
would be so much better. It was just the momentary rebellion of a
high-spirited girl. I know she is sorry now."

"Caroline need never know a thing about it," exclaimed Miss Virginia,
looking at Alex.

"I am sure that would be best. I'll never speak of it," answered Alex.

"Then I'll bring her over," said Norah, rising. "She is a good deal
excited, so I offered to come over and pave the way."

"You can tell her I will be as good to her--things are going to be
very different." Tears came into Miss Virginia's eyes.

"I am sure you are always good. I haven't the least doubt she was
naughty, but girls are very foolish sometimes." Norah looked at Alex
as if she might be expected to agree to this.

* * * * *

A very pale, subdued Charlotte made her appearance soon after. There
was nobody to receive her but Aunt Virginia, who waited at the door.

Little was said that night. "We'll just pretend it never happened,
dear," Aunt Virginia said tearfully, as she took her into her arms and
kissed her. "You didn't know it, but your Aunt Caroline is going away
for the winter," she added. "It is a secret yet, but she is going very
soon; and I was thinking you and I would have such a good time, and
then--" They both fell to crying over this in a manner to suggest to
one unenlightened that a good time without Aunt Caroline would prove
but a dreary affair.

"I am so sorry, and I am going to be good," Charlotte whispered, when
her aunt came to tuck her in. "And oh, Aunt Virginia, they are lovely!
They were so good." This,