"Gone," said the poor girl, "all gone but poor Myra!"

"And where is she? And you, dear Lettice, how have you come to this?"

Such was the unexpected meeting of these two persons, who were once
children of the same village of Castle Rising. Lettice had been working
for her school-mate, Catherine Melvin. The result was a happy one, and
it was not long before, by the kindness of Catherine, that the two
orphan girls were situated pleasantly in life. But as you will wish to
know how all this came about, I will give you the circumstances in
another story.




THE EXPLANATION.


Lettice's father was a man of education, a scholar, a gentleman, and had
much power in preaching. He received one hundred and ten pounds per year
for his services. Her father's illness was long and painful, and the
family were dependant on others for assistance.

"We at last closed his eyes," said Lettice, "in deep sorrow." He used to
say to himself, "It is a rough road, but it leads to a good place."

After his funeral, the expenses exhausted all that was left of their
money--only a few pounds were left when the furniture was sold, and "we
were obliged," said Lettice, "to give up the dear little parsonage. It
was a sweet little place. The house was covered all over with