iful thing you ever could imagine. Without, it had the
tints of the mother-of-pearl, while its framework was of silver. The
windows and doors were of diamonds, and there sparkled from them
continually all the rich tints of the rainbow. Within, everything was
wrought of the finest silver, and the rooms were hung, some in delicate
blue silk, others in rose colors.

Ruth was entirely overwhelmed with the beauty of the house,--so much so,
as to stand still, looking at the things about her.

"You must be tired with your long ride," the woman said, "and I wish you
to rest well; for there are many things I will show you. After you have
rested, I will bring you some food."

And, with this, she put Ruth upon a sofa, and made her lay quite down,
to refresh herself with sleep. But Ruth thought, in her heart, "Rest!
Does she think I can be tired, when I have been sitting upon that soft
cloud, looking at the wonderful stars? How could I ever be either tired
or hungry?" But she said nothing aloud, for the charm of the old woman's
presence hovered over her, and, as soon as she closed her eyes, she fell
into a soft and beautiful slumber.

O the dreams Ruth dreamed then! Strangely enough, she thought her father
and mother, as well as Grace and Jessie, were riding and playing on
clouds; and they were all so happy together, and they seemed to love her
very dearly; so that, in her dream, she remembered nothing of their
former neglect. She dreamed how her father called her to him, and laid
his hand upon her head; and it was _such_ a gentle pressure, and it made
her so happy, that she awoke,--and there really was a gentle hand upon
her head, and a soft kiss fell upon her lips,--such a touch, and such a
kiss, as poor Ruth had scarce ever known before, and which made her
quickly twine her arms around the old woman's neck, and kiss her warmly.

Then the old woman put her in one of the silver-wrought chairs, and put
before her, on plates sparkling with precious stones, soft, ripe fruit,
with a delicious flavor, such as she had never before tasted. She could
not help thinking how glad Grace and Jessie would be to see such before
them; and so, as at that moment she looked up, and saw the old woman
smiling upon her, she took two of the most beautiful and the largest of
the fruit and put them in her pocket, for she had no doubt but what, at
some time, all too soon, she should go back to the earth.

When she had done this, and finished her delic