s, sir. It is not quite so nice as Mrs. Pitkin's."

"No," returned Mr. Carter thoughtfully.

Philip rang the bell, and the two were admitted into the humble parlor.
They had not long to wait for Mrs. Forbush, who, with an agitation which
she could not overcome, entered the presence of her long estranged and
wealthy uncle.

"Rebecca!" exclaimed the old gentleman, rising, and showing some emotion
as he saw the changes which fifteen years had made in the niece whom he
had last met as a girl.

"Uncle Oliver! how kind you are to visit me!" cried Mrs. Forbush, the
tears starting from her eyes.

"Kind! Nonsense! I have been very unkind to neglect you so long. But it
wasn't all my fault. There were others who did all they could to keep us
apart. You have lost your husband?"

"Yes, uncle. He was poor, but he was one of the kindest and best of men,
and made me happy."

"I begin to think I have been an old fool, Rebecca. Philip thinks so,
too."

"Oh, Mr. Carter!" exclaimed our hero.

"Yes, you do, Philip," asserted Mr. Carter, "and you are quite right.
However, as you told me, it is never too late to mend."

"Mrs. Forbush will think I take strange liberties with you, sir."

"I don't object to good advice, even from a boy. But who is this?"

Julia had just entered the room. She was a bright, attractive girl, but
held back bashfully until her mother said:

"Julia, this is Uncle Oliver Carter. You have heard me speak of him."

"Yes, mamma."

"And scold about him, I dare say. Well, Julia, come and give your old
uncle a kiss."

Julia blushed, but obeyed her uncle's request.

"I should know she was your child, Rebecca. She looks as you did at her
age. Now tell me, have you any engagement this morning, you two?"

"No, Uncle Oliver."

"Then I will find one for you. I have a carriage at the door. You will
please put on your bonnets. We are going shopping."

"Shopping?"

"Yes, I am going to fit out both of you in a manner more befitting
relatives of mine. The fact is, Niece Rebecca, you are actually shabby."

"I know it, uncle, but there has been so many ways of spending money
that I have had to neglect my dress.

"Very likely. I understand. Things are different now. Now, don't be over
an hour getting ready!"

"We are not fashionable, uncle," said Mrs. Forbush, "and we haven't any
change to make."

They entered the carriage, and drove to a large and fashionable store,
where everything necessary to a lady's t