reeping up the
shingle, now bearing away a dry piece of sea-weed and making it look
alive and fresh, advancing and retreating, yet ever creeping slowly
upward, until one wave almost broke over her feet and reminded her of
the old and oft-repeated adage, "Time and tide wait for no man."

She hurried back, to find her aunt and cousins waiting breakfast for
her; and as she told them about her morning ramble, she did not notice
the unpleasant glances which Julia bestowed upon her dress, a blue
cotton one, made very simply, but somewhat old-fashioned, and washed
until the colour was rather faded.

"We must certainly go out this lovely morning," said Mrs. Woburn after
breakfast. "Where do you think your cousin would like to go, dear?"

"Oh! we'll go to the Esplanade of course," replied Julia, as she ran off
to get ready. She came down a few minutes later looking very nice in her
pretty holland dress trimmed with red, and shady straw hat with muslin
and lace bows, and dainty gloves.

"You don't mean to say that you are going out like that, Ruth!" she
exclaimed, as she caught sight of her cousin sitting by the window still
wearing her print dress and shabby straw hat.

"Yes," she replied, and was going to ask "Why not?" but the sight of her
cousin's simple but pretty costume stopped her, and she blushed rosy
red.

"Then of course we cannot go to the Esplanade," said Julia in a pointed
manner.

CHAPTER VI.

STONEGATE.

"The Esplanade did you say, girls?" asked Mrs. Woburn, entering at that
moment.

"No, mamma, we don't care about it; any other place will do," replied
Julia sulkily.

"We will walk along the beach to Brill Head then," said Mrs. Woburn,
"and I dare say Ernest would like to accompany us; he will find plenty
of specimens there."

"Shall I stay at home, Aunt Annie?" asked Ruth timidly.

"Certainly not, unless you wish it; Julia has been longing to have you
for a companion, and this will be such a delightful walk."

But the pleasure of the walk was gone for Ruth. Julia was quiet, and
scarcely spoke to any one, and her mother could not understand what was
the matter, and although she tried her best to bring back the look of
delight to her niece's face, she was not successful. It was not until
they reached Brill Head, and Ernest began his search for specimens, that
Ruth recovered her wonted liveliness, and the sunshine returned to her
face and the gladness to her heart, and she felt so full of