or
promises to meet her special need. When she went downstairs to lay
supper, it was with a glad heart at the abundant encouragement she had
received. From that time she commenced a new life, and though her feet
often faltered in the upward path, and her heart sometimes grew heavy
with foreboding fears, a light had arisen for her which grew brighter as
the months passed. Many times she sorely regretted that she had let John
go from her in pride and anger. If she had but the opportunity now--and
her heart ached for it--how tenderly she would plead with him to be true
to himself and her.

"John says he supposes you've forgotten all about him," said Mrs.
Greenwood one evening, when she had called.

Ruth's face grew scarlet.

"Why doesn't he write to me, then, and let me know what he means?" she
cried with bitterness.

"I'm sorry you should have quarrelled, my dear, for I believe you're the
very woman for him; and I know he's desperately fond of you, and here's
Dick saying Jack would do better with a woman to keep him out of
mischief."

"What's his address?" asked Ruth. It was written down for her, and she
soon made an excuse to leave. There were many conflicting thoughts and
emotions at work in her mind and heart. How could John suppose she could
ever forget him? Had he said anything to his mother about his being
desperately fond of her, or was it only Mrs. Greenwood's surmisings? And
what did Dick mean by saying that John would do better with a woman to
keep him out of mischief? Was he going downhill so rapidly that his
degraded elder brother had lost control over him? Might John himself be
longing for an assurance that he was forgiven, and if the assurance were
given, would it be a help and stay to him? Oh, if she dare think so!
Well, she would risk it, and write that very night, and as she made the
decision a great burden fell from her, and she knew her decision was
right.

Far on into the night Ruth sat writing sheet after sheet by the light of
her candle. She wrote of the new joy that had come to her since John
left, and told him it had only increased her love and yearning for him;
how night and day she prayed that he might be kept from harm and evil,
and that some day they might yet meet and be happy. She concluded by
asking him to forgive her, if she had seemed hard and unkind, and
reminded him again of her own painful past, and how she felt it was
wrong to face a future that might hold a like experience for