p."

Ruth looked up with a wondering glance at Alice, who entered the kitchen
at that moment with brushes and brooms. A Bible-reading, praying
housemaid was a curiosity she had never witnessed. But Alice looked
bright and business-like enough to allay any fears respecting her
capability to perform her allotted tasks, and after a pleasant "good
morning," she proceeded to go about her work in a manner that showed she
knew all about it. After a few weeks had passed, both cook and Ruth
agreed that the new girl was quite a treasure, with the reservation from
cook, who saw no connection between Alice's religion and her daily
life--"if it wasn't for her precious chapel-going and religious humbug."

"Come with me for a walk, Alice, instead of going to your class; it's a
shame to stay indoors such an afternoon," said Ruth, one Sunday.

"Oh, I couldn't miss my class for anything; but do you come with me, and
we can have a little walk after."

Ruth hesitated. She knew that cook would laugh at her for going, but she
was feeling low and depressed, and the thought of a solitary walk was
irksome to her.

"Well, I don't mind, just for once. It's miserable to walk by one's
self," she said.

So she went to the Bible-class which Alice so regularly attended. The
lesson was interesting and impressive, and as, from the lips of the
minister's wife who gave it, there fell words of invitation to the
sin-burdened and weary, Ruth felt strangely moved. Unconsciously her
tears fell, for her heart ached with loneliness and longing as she heard
of the Saviour and Friend, who was willing to come into her life and
crown it with His forgiving love and mercy. She walked on in silence by
the side of her companion.

"How did you like Mrs. Evans?" Alice presently asked.

"She made me feel wretched; I don't want to go again."

"That was just how I felt when I first heard her talk; but do go again,
for she will do you so much good."

"You never had such reason as I have to be wretched and miserable,"
exclaimed Ruth.

"Oh, you don't know; I've had more trouble than I've known how to bear;
and then there was the burden of my sins that made me more unhappy than
I can tell you," added Alice, timidly.

"I don't know anything about that; but I do know that my life is a
burden. I had a wretched home, and when I went to service, and something
that seemed too good to be true came, it was just taken from me, and
now, I'd like to die and be out of my mise