aged herself in the Lord, and once more took up her daily duties
in the form of lessons and study.

CHAPTER XX.

HOME AGAIN.

It was Easter again before Ruth was allowed to return to Cressleigh. How
little she had thought when she left it that she would not see the old
home and its inmates for nearly two years!

But the time had really passed, and the day had come at last when she
must bid farewell to school-days and Busyborough, and take leave of her
aunt, uncle, and cousins. Partings are never pleasant when we are
leaving those we love, and Ruth had grown very fond of them all during
her protracted visit. Julia's animosity had been allayed long since, and
Mrs. Woburn had grown to love her niece as a daughter. She had been for
some time the peace-making element of the household, and a great
favourite with Rupert, who was growing a fine sturdy boy. Ernest was
sorry to lose her, though, as usual, he was not profuse in his
expressions of regret. The shy, awkward boy was developing into a clever
but somewhat reserved young man. Ruth had understood him far better than
any of his own family, and he knew that he should miss her sadly.

The farewells at the house and good-byes at the railway station were
painful, and it was a tearful face of which Mrs. Woburn caught a last
glimpse through the carriage window; but when the train started, Ruth's
mind was so full of joyful anticipations of her welcome home that she
could not feel sad. She wondered, as she leaned back and closed her
eyes, what they would think of her, whether her father would think her
improved or spoilt, and she began to reflect how much she had learnt,
and what experience she had gained of the world and of her own heart
during her absence. It seemed to her that the Ruth Arnold who had left
home nearly two years ago was a very simple, ignorant little girl, whom
she could think of as quite apart from herself.

So busy was she with her thoughts that she scarcely noticed her
fellow-passengers leaving the carriage one by one, until she was aroused
by a cry of "All change here." Was that Crook Junction? Yes, surely.
Then she was only ten miles from home.

She hastened from the carriage to look after her luggage, and was
astonished to hear a familiar voice say, "Ruth." It was her father. How
kind of him to come to meet her! In a few minutes both father and
daughter were seated in another carriage travelling on the loop line to
Cressleigh, and Ruth was t