voice that all may hear who listen and who keep their hearts pure and
loving, and last of all he put into her hand a little pocket
Testament, in which he said he had marked certain things which had
served him as guide-posts on the way, and might help her.

Charlotte was touched and pleased, and took the book with a very
earnest promise to read it and follow its guidance.

After this they went on to talk of other matters. Charlotte pointed
out the shop over the way, and gave an account of the neighborhood
which showed such a keen appreciation of individual foibles, that her
guardian found himself laughing heartily.

"Uncle Landor, I wish you would ask Aunt Virginia to let me go to the
shop," she said. "I liked Miss Carpenter and Miss Pennington so much,
and they were very good to me."

Mr. Landor spent several days in town, and before he left, Miss
Virginia herself asked his opinion as to the proper attitude toward
the shopkeepers.

"They did me a great service, and in the excitement of that evening I
cannot recall thanking Miss Pennington. I went into the shop the day
after Caroline left, meaning to give some expression to my gratitude,
but both the young women were out. I feel uncomfortable about it. I
can't think as Caroline does, that they are trying to force themselves
upon our notice. They really seem to be ladies. What would you
advise?"

A smile illumined Mr. Landor's usually grave countenance at Miss
Wilbur's earnestness.

"It is a thrifty-looking little shop," he said; "Charlotte pointed it
out to me. And I should say, Miss Virginia, that you are perfectly
safe in following your own instincts in the matter. To suppose their
motives in helping Charlotte other than kindly seems to me both
ungracious and absurd. You say they appear to be ladies. They probably
are, but however that may be, you and Charlotte and I owe them our
thanks."

Miss Virginia told Charlotte afterward that she was greatly relieved.
"For Philadelphia people are not likely to go too far in a matter of
this kind. Then, too, Mr. Landor is a man, and able to judge whether
they could possibly be dangerous persons."

Charlotte opened her eyes. "How could they be dangerous?"

"Well, my dear, they might be burglars, come to spy out the
neighborhood, with the shop for a blind."

"Oh, Aunt Virginia!" laughed Charlotte.

"I am sure I have read of such things," the lady insisted stoutly.

Not long after this Charlotte received a letter f