its jewels, in her own, she said: "Dear Miss Earnestine, I have been with you long and do most truly love you. On this account any harm that could come to you would be a source of much grief to me. I am really troubled when I think of you as a wine drinker, and I want to ask you once more to promise me that you will never put the cup to your lips again. Promise me that you will not offer it to your guests. I request this because I really feel that you are in danger when using it so frequently as you do, and besides, your influence must tend to lead your associates downward instead of to a better life."

This gentle appeal was like "casting pearls before swine," for immediately her hand was withdrawn and Ruth rudely ordered from the room. Brushing a tear from her eye, Ruth arose to go, but ventured, as she moved away, to say: "I can not help but pray for you, Miss Earnestine, for I know if you still pursue this course that sooner or later you or yours will be brought to grief. I therefore beg you to heed my warning and put the cup away."

Marie's head, which was tortured with crimping-pins, was lowered quietly into the downy pillows, and as she did so she said: "Go 'way, bugbear. The Earnestines have drunk wine for too many generations to be frightened out of their beverage by such senseless temperance babble. Good-night."

CHAPTER V.

EN ROUTE TO EUROPE.

The sun hung calmly out in ether, and San Francisco Bay was as placid as a brooklet that morning in which the Earnestine party came on board. The great steamship Oceanica loosed her moorings and sailed out upon the waters of the Pacific, en route for New York City and the Old World.

This was a happy day for Marie, and a pleasant company they were, too, as they all stood upon the deck waving their kerchiefs to the many friends gathered there saying their farewells and bidding the voyagers "God speed" on their journey and a safe return home again.

Back from the group a pace stood Ruth, buoyant, full of hope and anticipation in the voyage which she felt was to bring her into a more direct touch with the world that she was longing to know. Upon the shore she could see the whole galaxy of servants from the mansion looking after her, whom they had all learned to love, and making such gestures as only she could understand. Among the rest was old Jerry, upon whose head was a crown of many winters. Leaning upon his staff, he looked his reverence and waved good-bye to the girl that had thrown so much brightness into his lonely life during the past five years. Tenderly he had pressed her hand at parting and said: "Miss Ruth, I bes sorry ter part with ye, for long afore you return old Jerry's head will be a restin' under the sod out ter Lone Mountain. But I want ter tell ye, me gurl-for I tho't maybe ye'd be happy to know it an' sorter comfortin' ter yer lovin' heart

-as how yer gentle teachin' has shown me the way to the Savior. An' Ruthie, if we bain't privileged to meet here no more, then, me gurl, look out fer me; I'll meet ye in Heaven! Glory to God! Ruthie, I've got a home up there!"

Ruth's eyes had glistened with tears of joy as she listened to the gool old man's words, and she said: "God grant, dear Jerry, that we may meet in that joyous city. Pray for me that I may while here be the means of bringing many to that gentle Savior for whom you testify. My desire that my influence may ever be wielded on the side of right and that many may be won to righteousness." And now, as she stood looking at him out on the dock and noted how feebly he tottered upon his staff, she remembered his many kind deeds and his parental watchfulness over her. She thought how oft and repeatedly he had saved her from unpleasant interviews with Harry Rumsford by coming so opportunely to her rescue. felt her heart o'erflowing with a spirit of tenderness for the old man who was so near his journey's end, and she prayed that God would freight his last days with multiplied blessings from above and make them his best days upon earth.

She

The ship was now well out at sea. Music, dancing and merry-making were the order of the hour among the passengers on board.

Marie, the heiress, much sought, was highly delighted with the voyage. One evening just as the sun was setting like a great fiery ball upon the face of the deep, a group of merry young people sauntered out upon the deck. Here and there a sea-gull could be seen fluttering low, and all the time the great steamship plowed on through the deep rolling waters of the sea. Marie stood looking westward. A yellow glow of sunlight rested