h he and his sister May's husband, Harry Duncan, had prospered
greatly. Each had a large, handsome dwelling adjacent to Miss Stanhope's
cottage, in which she still kept house, having never yet seen the time
when she could bring herself to give up the comfort of living in a home
of her own.

She had attached and capable servants, and amid her multitude of nieces
and grand-nieces, there was almost always one or more who was
willing--nay, glad, to relieve her of the care and labor of
housekeeping, taking pleasure in making life's pathway smooth and easy
to the aged feet, and her last days bright and happy.

She still had possession of all her faculties, was very active for one
of her age, and felt unabated interest in the welfare of kindred and
friends. She had by no means outlived her usefulness or grown querulous
with age, but was ever the same bright, cheerful, happy Christian that
she had been in earlier years.

The birthday party was to be held under her own roof, and a numerous
company of near and dear relatives were gathering there and at the
houses of the Duncans and Allisons.

Richard and Lottie, Harry and May were at the depot to meet the train on
which our travellers arrived.

It was an altogether joyous meeting, after years of separation.

The whole party repaired at once to Miss Stanhope's cottage, to greet
and chat a little with her and others who had come before to the
gathering; prominently among them Mr. and Mrs. Keith from Pleasant
Plains, Indiana, with their daughters, Mrs. Landreth, Mrs. Ormsby, and
Annis, who was still unmarried.

Very glad indeed were Mrs. Keith and Mr. Dinsmore, Rose and Mildred,
Elsie and Annis to meet and renew the old intimacies of former days.

Time had wrought many changes since we first saw them together, more
than thirty years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Keith were now old and infirm, yet
bright and cheery, looking hopefully forward to that better country,
that Celestial City, toward which they were fast hastening, and with no
unwilling steps. Dr. and Mrs. Landreth and Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore had
changed from youthful married couples into elderly people, while Elsie
and Annis had left childhood far behind, and were now--the one a cheery,
happy maiden lady, whom aged parents leaned upon as their stay and
staff, brothers and sisters dearly loved, and nieces and nephews doated
upon; the other a mother whom her children blessed for her faithful love
and care, and delighted to honor.