Year: 1869

grave IL strange land, where no one ever
came to shed the heartfelt tear or lay howers
at his tired feet.


Poor Ruth ( she eeedsd comfort, and there
was no one 10 give It. This was her daily
life living in The same house with human
creatures, who pos eszsd hearts as we'll as she
did, yet never receiving a look, word, or q
token of sympathy


There was no congenialisy between them,
70. her aunt and oop5ils lived only for the
triumph of fashioe so'in the throDged world,
she was lonely and home-sick. Did she but
kEow Of the happidess that was waiting for
her down the road of the true and loyal
heart which, a q poverty, sickness and
soEroq. = -sucd IS Der as ae losp star Of its
existes did She but know how some one
would give the whole world for a look into
her fresh young face and glance of her mild
blue eye, her heart would have been light
indeed, and her step as free as in the old,
happy days. But We are not to know these
things and often the light in those dear eyes
dies out, the clasp of that gentle hand grows
loose, and the grave closes over the young
form, and the love that somebody had givenit.


But with Ruth it was not thus Her love
had come to her years before. God had taken
it away, but only for awhile, it was to be re-
stored to her brighter than before. The days
and the weeks slipped by, and Ruth walked
her daily path with more contented heart
She knew there was one kind friend whose
care would never fail her; and in her hours
of trial and loneliness her thoughts would turn
to Him, the great Father of all.


The rain was falling heavily down, and man
and beast sought shelter from its fury. All
gaiety was checked, aud the fashionable young
ladies pouted in curl>papers and flowing wrap
pers. "What disagreeable day" thought
they, as the time was passed in lounging on
sofas with the latest sensational novel. "What
a treat shall have,V muImured Ruth to her
self, as she was seated in her own little room,
busy with some needle work. The day wore
on, and the rain fell slowly still, when the
house was thrown into the utmost confusion
by the ringing of the door-bell and the an
nouncement of ga gentleman for Miss Ruth"
Such thing had never happened before
The quiet, unobtrusive Ruth having gentle
man to call and see herl How they wondered
at the prolonged absence of the young girl,
and guessed over and over who it was, without
being convinced which was the right guess.


But Ruth, gentle Ruth, there she stands,
heart to heart with Paul Seaton, the absent
friend. Never moro will she be home-sick or
weary; never again will she be wounded by
cold words, or still colder looks. Oh, beau
tiful love, whose trust and faith commence in
the blossom of life, and endure forever and
everl AT the sound of his voice. at the pres
sure of his hand, the grim shadow vanished
from her life, and she stood revealed, the
beautiful, trusting Ruth Of happier days.


Far away in the distance, down the toilsome
road of life, they still remain heart to heart.
Her golden brown hair has had the Autumn
wind to blow upon it, changing its bright tint
to more sober hue; her soft blue eyes have
shed some tears Of sorrow, but to him they are
as the stars that light the benighted traveller
on his homeward journey. The soul looks
forth as pure as it ever did, and, hand in hand.
the husband and wife take up their burden
and walk "the way of God