ochet, which she was doing with extreme satisfaction.

How Decima longed to see the good princess! When at last that
much-talked-of princess came and stood by her bed, and beamed down love
and tenderness, the little invalid was softened into real gratitude,
which she managed brokenly to express, with tears in her eyes. Then
the kind princess talked to her cheerfully and naturally of the great
Shepherd of the lambs, as of some one whom she knew and who was really
dear to her.

At the golden house religion had been lived and inculcated; at the
hospital it seemed the felt, ever-pervading atmosphere. Heavenly
comfort was sung in the sweet hymns, breathed in the trustful prayers,
spoken of as something always in mind, and acted out in the sweet
offices of love towards the unfortunate. Such surroundings were
life-giving to the poor little invalid. Her fretfulness gave way, and
a sweet quietness succeeded her nervous irritation. After the weary
turmoil of the past in the noisy, crowded home, there was now a serene
peace for her, as if the angels had taken her under their sheltering
wings.

CHAPTER XIV.

WHERE?

Alma was sitting in her own room, with her treasure-house before her.
Its door was still fast locked, as was her purse for all applications
for pecuniary help. Closed, too, seemed the door of her heart to the
great Friend who still lovingly knocked without. His question, "Where
is the guest-room?" had been met by a long, unbroken silence.

Now Alma's mind was on her future plans. She had shaken the little
cottage, and had been quite dissatisfied with the result. She rose
hastily. A drawer in her writing-desk was impulsively unlocked. She
took out a jewel-case where a diamond ring, and a brooch set with the
same precious stones, and a watch with a monogram in pearls, were lying
side by side. She looked admiringly at them, and carefully examined
them all. The ring, the brooch, and the little watch were then
deliberately let down the chimney of the golden house, as if they had
been black sweeps on a lawful errand. They were given, "offered," she
felt, and her design was now far on its way to its accomplishment.
There could be no more earthquake-like shakings of that cottage. That
amusement must be abandoned.

There was a sharp prick from Alma's conscience in the midst of her
evident satisfaction. Her father had said this jewellery would some
day belong to her, and had even, at her special re