The Editor is well aware that his readers would like to see the portraits of some of the tried and true friends who have given such devoted service. He therefore adds them here, and they form, he thinks, a fitting accompaniment to this notice of what has led up—in quite a marvellous manner, and by God’s blessing—to the publication of the present THOUSANDTH NUMBER OF THE GIRL’S OWN PAPER. FOOTNOTES: [3] At the end of a letter recently received from the Countess occur these words: “Let me congratulate you on the continued success of THE GIRL’S OWN PAPER, and the position you have made for it. I still hope to be able to rank among its contributors some day again, and I shall not either forget those early days when all was uncertainty as to how it would succeed. “Believe me, “Yours sincerely, “ISHBEL ABERDEEN.” IN THE TWILIGHT SIDE BY SIDE. BY RUTH LAMB. PART V. ANOTHER OPEN EVENING. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”—Philippians iv. 19. For some months past, my dear girl friends, I have been equally gratified and troubled by the sight of a large pile of your letters on my table—gratified, because they are full of sweet confidences, requests for advice and help, grateful allusions to benefits which have resulted from our talks in the twilight, and affectionate expressions towards myself. As a whole, your letters have been a source of great joy to me; but, on the other hand, it has grieved me to think that some of you have hoped and waited in vain for replies which never came. Believe me, I would have written to each and all of you had it been possible. Conscience does not reproach me for having wilfully neglected you; but I have had a good many heartaches on your account. Who does not know the trial of looking and waiting in vain for a friend’s letter? I cannot now address you singly; but an open evening will again bring us more into touch with each other, as a former one did a few months ago. It is alike delightful and wonderful to note the results of that night’s talk, during which we had glimpses of each other’s thoughts, needs, and longings. Subsequent letters have shown me how the words of one girl-writer have stirred the hearts of many to prayer on her behalf, and in some cases they have asked, “How can I be of real use to another member of our gathering?” Some have been brought into closer relationship with each other as correspondents, and I trust the result will be beneficial to all of them.