She knew that Ruth was now at home, so she dispatched Jeanetta with a hastily written note inviting Ruth to come and spend the evening with her. On the morrow she was going to take her departure.

As yet Aunt Langsford was entirely ignorant of her plans for the future. She did not know whether the dear old lady, who was growing feeble, would like to spend the rest of her days in a country home. She dreaded to mention the fact to her, but during Jeanetta's absence she went to her room and said: "Aunt Emile, something new has come to pass in the world and I have come to tell you all about it; would you like to hear?"

"Yes, dearie, if it is something pleasant. But somehow in the last few years of your life the new things that you have had to tell have always been the sorrowfui things and I shrink from hearing them."

Marie patted the dear old cheek that was not so round as it was fifteen years before and said: "But this, Aunt Langsford, is one of the pleasant things that you will be glad to know. Earnest has entirely recovered his mind and is coming home to see us again."

Marie waited for the old lady to express her joy, but when she did not reply her niece said: "Why, auntie, you don't act a bit glad. I thought you would be the happiest one of us all. How is it that you do not rejoice? You always liked Earnest."

"So I did, Marie, and I like him still, but my fear of these dreadful saloons in San Francisco and the temptations to which he will be exposed make me wish him to remain in the asylum. He is safe there and you can be happy in his security."

"Viewing it from that standpoint, Aunt Langsford, you are quite right, but you`know we are not obliged to

remain in San Francisco. I have decided to go to Ranch Earnestine to spend the rest of my days with my husband, and we will make our departure to-morrow."

Aunt Langsford opened her eyes in astonishment.

"Well, Marie, I should think that something new under the sun had come to pass! And so you are to leave the city?"

"Yes, Aunt Emile; will you accompany us? Do you think you could be happy in the country?"

"Yes, Marie, anywhere, only so I may rest under the influence of your sweet spirit. Have you never thought, Marie, of what a change has come over you in these last years? That old hot temper of yours that used to be such a horror to us all, what has become of it, dearie? You are so sweet now all the day."

Marie embraced the affectionate old lady and replied: "I have it still, Aunt Langsford, only the spirit of the Lord now holds sway in my heart. I have been converted and the old hot temper has been transformed into a burning spirit of zeal to be used in His own special service. The temper is sanctified, that is all."

Then taking the wrinkled old hand in her own, she continued: "Do you know, Aunt Langsford, since the Lord has given me a little child all my own to train, I have found out what was wrong with his mother when she was a little girl? It was a mother's love that could have healed my naughty spirit. Earnie would be naughty, too, only for my love. I am so glad God gave me that little boy."

"All but his blemishes, Marie."

"No, Aunt Langsford, I would have him just as he is for his mother's sake; but for the boy's sake I would that his body were perfect. God knew best when He made him so. Yes, He knew what would be the best

discipline for my son. At first my spirit rebelled against what seemed to be a cruel hand of fate, but in these last years I have grown to think that things don't come by chance. God has a purpose in all that He does, and has He not said: "The wrath of God shall be made to praise God?' Earnie's deformity has been my greatest cross. It was the wrath of man that caused God to make him so, and one day while hugging that cross to my bosom I found it to be a crown. Sorrow sanctified, Aunt Emile,

is the reward of perfect love."

At that moment Jeanetta returned, bringing Earnie with his "Auntie Ruth." Marie arose to greet them and was struck with something in Ruth's face that she had never seen before.

Kissing her ruby lips, she led her away to her own room, and looking up into her tell-tale eyes, said: "Ruth, dear, what has happened to you? I see a mellowness in your soul that has never rested upon you before. What is it that has made your spirit bloom out in such perfection?"

Ruth took her friend's sweet face between her hands, and looking into the liquid depths of her tender blue eyes, said: "Can't you guess, Marie?”

Mrs. Stocklaid caught the idealistic devotion written in the girl's face and replied: "Yes, dear, it is love! Then, after a moment, as Ruth did not reply, Marie noticed her effusive spirit, and repeated: "Ruth, it is true? Have you finally made that proposal of marriage and been accepted?"

Ruth blushed crimson and replied: "Yes, Marie, and the dearest man beneath the sun has promised to love, protect and obey me' as long as we two shall live. The day is not far distant when I shall become the wife of Jack Halstead."

Marie gathered her to her bosom and joyously exclaimed: "You precious girl! So dear old Jack is to be the happy man! How glad I am! He and I, Ruth, were playmates together, and among all the men in the world he would have been my choice for you as a husband. "So your troth is plighted. You are to become a wife? Well, Ruth dear, may God bless and give you 'a white life for two,' and may your cup be filled to overflowing with that perfect bliss which you deserve to enjoy!"

Then came Earnie and climbed into Ruth's lap and told her the glad news of his papa's recovery. His baby eyes expressed all the joy he felt when he said: "Auntie Ruth, just fink how glad I will be to have a fazzer like ozzer boys!"

Marie broke the news of their intended departure on the morrow and told how she had made up her mind to bid farewell to the city. How she had decided they should spend the rest of their days sojourning at Ranch Earnestine.

Ruth thought her friend wise and commended her spirit of sacrifice for the sake of her husband and boy.

Later on Jack came for Ruth and spent the evening with the ladies to add his approval to the course she was pursuing. He said to Marie: "You will find a delightful home at Ranch Earnestine, and the people there are much improved in morals since it has been a temperance community."

How truly God's hand doth lead His own, and how easy the pathway that has first had God's approval of its ourse! Marie felt that she was doing right; and though * cost her a great sacrifice, yet she counted it all joy to be ied in the way of duty for Earnest's sake. She had never been brought into concourse with the plain country people, and knew nothing of that society, or what she might do

to make them better or happier, yet she had already set in order a train of thoughts which, when developed, would make her loved among them.

Unfolding her plans to Ruth and Mr. Halstead, she told how she hoped to make herself a leader and a power for poor among them. She also talked of her future with Earnest and expressed a desire that he might become a Christian and through the power of Jesus be saved, not only from drink, but from his sins.

They knelt in prayer, while all three earnestly prayed for the salvation of a soul. Arising from their knees, Marie quoted from Matthew: "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven."

"Thank God!" said she, "that we are agreed in our desire for his soul. So let us have faith to claim this promise, and Earnest Stocklaid, my beloved husband, shall indeed find his Redeemer."

That evening was very profitably spent, and when, at a late hour, they said good-night, Marie gave them a pressing invitation to pay her an early visit at her country place and enjoy the good things of the land.

Jack pressed her hand at parting, and with a twinkle of merriment at the memory of by-gones, replied: "Yes, the fruit and such ills; but no wine at the Ranch Earnestine."