A HAPPY ENDING 47

HOW THE FOE CREPT IN.

CHAPTER I. MODERATE DRINKING 56

" II. ITS RESULTS 63

THE COMMITTEE'S DECISION 80

THE RIGHT HAND THAT OFFENDED 85

"OUT OF THE WAY" 99

TIM MALONEY'S PIG 109

THE MOTHER'S MISTAKE 119

THE CHILDREN'S SUPPER 129

ROLAND WEST'S MARK 134

HOW A HUSBAND WAS LOST AND FOUND 146

DOWNWARD STEPS 170

HOW JARVIS WAS SAVED 178

WHY THE ANGELS REJOICED 185

[Illustration]

FOR JOHN'S SAKE.

CHAPTER I.

AFRAID FOR HERSELF.

"I SAY, John."

"Well, Ruthie."

"Master's just rung, and he says he wants you and me to come upstairs
together."

"What for, I wonder! Don't look so troubled, little woman;" and John,
the well-built, broad-shouldered gardener, looked up with an
unmistakable glance of affection at the somewhat clouded face of Ruth,
the trim, neat parlour-maid, who had come into the conservatory to bring
him the message from the dining-room. "I'll just wash my hands and be
ready in a minute," he continued, following her into the kitchen. With
much inward trepidation, Ruth, accompanied by John, entered the
dining-room a few minutes later.

Mr. and Mrs. Groombridge, their eldest son, who was a medical student;
three daughters, and one or two younger boys were seated at the nearly
finished dessert.

"Well, John, I dare say you wonder why we sent for you and Ruth; but the
fact is, your mistress heard from cook this morning a piece of news
which you have been sly enough to keep from us," said Mr. Groombridge.
Ruth blushed violently, and withdrew a little behind John's burly
figure.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of, Ruth; indeed, you've every reason to
be proud and happy," added Mr. Groombridge, with a kind look and kinder
tone. There was no mistaking the assent that was visible in Ruth's shy
uplifted eyes. She was proud and happy, and she involuntarily moved a
step nearer to