accompanied her cousin to Addison College. But she entered the
schoolroom in a different spirit, distrusting self and relying only upon
Divine help.

She had need enough of grace and strength, for the day had not passed
before the girls noticed that Miss Elgin had lost confidence in her and
was inclined to regard her with distrust and suspicion, and they
wondered greatly what had caused the change. Julia of course was
questioned, and without really wishing to do her cousin an injury she
gradually let out the facts concerning the prize. The girls took
different views of the case, according to their liking for Ruth and
their sense of right and wrong. There was a great deal of talk for a few
days, and then the matter was forgotten by all but Miss Elgin, whose
manner was a constant reminder of the affair.

As for Ruth herself, she could _almost_ say, "None of these things move
me," so trivial did they seem; for she was rejoicing in the
consciousness of forgiveness and pardon, her heart was resting after its
wanderings, filled with the "peace which passeth all understanding." The
sheep had come back to the fold, there to abide, to find its shelter
safer and sweeter than ever.

Mrs. Arnold's reply to her daughter was at once tender, sorrowful,
hopeful and motherly. She grieved over what had happened, but rejoiced
that her child had no longer any secret to hide from her; she pointed
out the only path of safety, and commended her to the care and keeping
of the loving Father who had watched over her during all her waywardness
and had brought her back to Himself.

That letter aroused an intense longing for home, for a glimpse of all
the dear faces which she had not seen for seven long months. August
seemed so far away, though each day brought it nearer. Ernest had quite
relapsed into his usual shy, quiet manner, and it was only occasionally
that he was willing to talk with his cousin upon the one subject which
was a bond of union between them.

A change took place in the household early in March, for Gerald left
home. His accident and subsequent explanations opened his father's eyes
to shortcomings which he had for some time suspected, yet it was also
the means of establishing a better relation between them.

The injury which the fire had caused to the books was a most serious
matter, and not even several weeks' work was able to repair the
mischief. The whole matter was necessarily known to all the clerks, and
Mr. Woburn