ed at her gate.

"You are a pair of rainy-day fairies!" she exclaimed as they entered.
They both laughed at this, and Bess explained that it was just what
Louise had been wishing to be.

"Then we each have our wish, for I have been longing for some good
fairy to cheer me this gloomy day."

Miss Brown's sitting-room was a pleasant place even on the darkest
day. A bright fire burned in the grate behind the high brass fender,
some yellow chrysanthemums bloomed in the west window, the mahogany
chairs and tables shone with the polish time gives to such things, and
behind the glass doors of the corner cupboard stood rows of pretty
old china. From above the mantel, old Mrs. Brown--at the age of
eighteen, with stiff little curls over each ear and immense leg o'
mutton sleeves in her low-necked pink gown--looked down, smiling
impartially upon everybody.

"Don't you think rainy days are tiresome?" asked Louise, seating
herself in the window beside the flowers.

"Not when I have company," was the smiling reply.

"Aunt Zelie has been staying with Cousin Helen this week, and Carl
went home with Aleck yesterday, and we were going out to spend the day
to-day and come home with them. But of course we couldn't on account
of the rain, and there is nobody at home but Carie and Sukey, for
Helen is at Aunt Marcia's." The tone in which Bess spoke was so
doleful it was almost tragic.

"Uncle William says there is always a bright spot somewhere, and
perhaps there is for us, but we haven't found it," added Louise; then
looking across the street she gave a little laugh. "I was just
thinking of the Magic Door," she explained.

Miss Brown wanted to hear about it, so Bess told the story, growing
quite cheerful as she proceeded.

Miss Brown was more pleased with it, if possible, than Dora had been.
She said it explained why she was so contented and happy in her new
home.

"My old aunt left me this house with all its contents on condition
that I would occupy it. At first it seemed out of the question, but
the more I thought of a home of my own the more I wanted to try it,
and now I feel settled for life! You see," she went on, "how
beautifully it came about this afternoon. Here I was feeling stupid
and a little lonely; I looked at the Big Front Door, and presently it
opened and you came out and straight over here, to make me cheerful
again."

The children beamed on her with faces that said plainly: "Here is an
appreciative person."