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"Yes," she tried to say and smothered the word in her handkerchief pressed quickly to her lips in an effort to control them

Ruth laid a cool little touch on the woive me!" she said, "I wasn't sure I know it must be awful,--cruel--for you!"

"He--is all I have left!" the woasp, "but, of course--it was--right that he should go!"

She set her lips more firht without seeing any of theht not to leave me till he had to," she said with another proud little quiver in her voice, as if having once spoken she et on all right--but he alas so careful of me--ever since his father died!"

"Of course!" said Ruth tenderly turning her face away to struggle with a strange s sensation in her own eyes and throat Then in a low voice she added: "I knew hio to the sairl"

The wolance and brushed the tears away firmly

"Why, aren't you Ruth Macdonald? Miss Macdonald, Ihouse on the hill, don't you?"

"Yes, I'm Ruth Macdonald Please don't call irl naaze softened

"I didn't know John knew you," she said speculatively "He never , "he wouldn't It was a long tio when I was seven and I doubt if he remembers me any more They took me out of the public school the next year and sent iven theot on much faster at the public school and I loved it But I've not forgotten the good tiirls We all liked him I haven't seen hirown to be just what you say he is He looks that way"