"Though it just breaks my heart to think of the parting!" she added, hurrying from the room to conceal her emotion. "But you'll come back soon, won't you, auntie?" pleaded the children. "Not very, I'm afraid, dears, it's a long and expensive journey." "Too long for you to take alone, Aunt Wealthy," Mildred said. "I dread it for you. I don't see how we can let you go without a protector." "I shall not, child. Is not the promise to me, 'Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest?' Yes; to me and to each one of His children. So I am not afraid, and you need not fear for me." "Dear auntie, if the Saviour were here, I think he would say to you, 'O woman, great is thy faith!'" "My dear, I deserve no such commendation; my faith is often very weak. But I want you to remember and try to realize that this almighty Friend not only goes with me when I leave you, but stays with you also; according to His gracious promise, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' "Troubles and trials will come and there are dark and stormy days in every life--but 'as thy days so shall thy strength be.' "I can not tell you, Mildred, how hard it is for me to leave you all," she continued, her voice trembling with emotion, "but it would be ten times harder were it not that I know 'this God is our God forever and ever;' and that 'he will be our guide even unto death.'" "Aunt Wealthy," said Mrs. Keith coming in again, "Stuart and I have been talking this over--this resolve of yours to return to Ohio--and he says it will never do for you to attempt it without an escort." "I shall be very glad of an escort, if there is one to be had," Miss Stanhope answered; "but if not, I must even go without--trusting in Providence." "But you would wait a few weeks rather than go alone?" "Certainly; God works by means, and we are to use them, while at the same time we trust only in him." "Stuart says the merchants will be going on East to buy their fall goods. He will inquire among them and let you know." "Ah yes; I think I heard Mr---- what's his name? Mimicker? Sneerer?" "Mocker?" suggested Mildred with a smile. "Yes, yes, Mr. Mocker, I heard him say something about it being his turn this fall to lay in a new supply of goods." "Ah, I hope it will turn out that you will have him for your escort, Aunt Wealthy," said Mildred, "for I know that he will take the best possible care of you. But do try, auntie, to get his name fixed in your memory." "That I will," Miss Stanhope answered with a good humored smile; "for he might not fancy the synonyms of it; the meaning not being the most complimentary in the world." Mr. Keith brought home word that Mr. Mocker would leave for the East in a fortnight and would be happy to take charge of Miss Stanhope. Aunt Wealthy had always been very dear to these nieces and nephews, but now that they were about to lose her, it seemed to them that they had never realized half her worth.