tting her
hand in and drawing out a card. She read:--

"Cleave ever to the sunnier side of doubt,
And cling to faith."

Norah looked over her shoulder. "That is good, isn't it?"

Marion caught her hand. "You preacher," she said, adding, "I accept
it, dear, and I'll try." The visit of Giant Despair seemed the
culmination of Marion's depression. It was Saturday afternoon, and
leaving Susanna in charge, they set out on an exploring expedition in
the mood of two light-hearted children.

CHAPTER SIXTEENTH

CHARLOTTE

With the departure of Mrs. Millard a season of repose came to the
Terrace. Charlotte and Miss Virginia actually found life a little tame
after the excitement, for their neighbors were just then absorbed in
their own affairs.

Miss Sarah and her aunt had some new boarders on which to expend time
and thought, and Alexina was living a life of rigid usefulness,
studying shorthand in secret and helping with the house work, for the
Russell mansion was large and servants not numerous. She also made
dainty things for that radiant butterfly Madelaine. Alex was a born
milliner, but she rather despised her gift, even while acknowledging
its usefulness.

The fame of the corner shop was spreading abroad till it was in a fair
way to become fashionable. Charlotte, from her window where she
studied, could see people passing in and out, and not infrequently a
carriage stood before the door. Sometimes she would forget her lesson
in the interest of recalling her evening visit there. How cheery and
cosey it had looked in the lamplight! Should she ever see it again?
Miss Pennington bowed and smiled in a friendly way when they
occasionally met, Miss Carpenter she had not seen again.

It occurred to Charlotte quite suddenly one day that it was something
of a coincidence that there should be a Miss Carpenter across the
street here, and while she was thinking about it she was called down
to see--of all persons!--her guardian. Having business in the South,
Mr. Landor had made it convenient to stop over a day or two.

She was so glad to see him she came near crying, a most unusual thing
for Charlotte, and her guardian eyed her closely as she drew him into
the library and seated herself on an ottoman beside his chair. Miss
Wilbur was out, and there was nothing to interrupt them.

With her elbow on the arm of his chair, and her chin in her hand as
she looked up at him, Charlotte at first had a dozen q