as engaged.

"Yes, I have, sir."

"Can you spare him an hour or two? I want him to meet a friend who is
coming in by the steamer to-day from England."

"Certainly, sir. Here, John, this gentleman wants you to go down with
him to the Docks."

John looked surprised, but, supposing it to be a business call, put on
his coat and hat and walked out.

"Are you expecting a friend from England?" asked the stranger.

"No, sir, I wish I was," was John's involuntary reply.

"I had a letter from my old friend Mr. Groombridge, of Bristol, and he
asked me to call for you on my way to the Docks, as some one you once
knew was coming in by the steamer."

"Who did he say it was, sir?" asked John, with a sudden tumultuous
beating of the heart.

"He did mention the name, I believe; but, dear me, I've left the letter
at home. It's no matter, though, you will soon learn," said Mr. Graham,
with an amused smile, as he watched John's face.

"It couldn't be, of course," argued John to himself; but as the steamer
came in he eagerly scanned the faces of the passengers, with but one
thought.

No, she was not there, and with a bitter feeling of disappointment he
fell back.

"John! Oh, John!"

He looked up. How could he have overlooked that figure with eager hands
stretched out towards him! Yes, it was his trusting, loving Ruth, who,
unasked, had crossed the seas to help and cheer him in the hard battle
he was fighting for her sake.

"Oh, Ruthie," he said, as he grasped her hands; "I don't deserve this.
Why have you come, darling?"

"Why, I came for your sake, of course, John; but are you quite sure you
want me?"

"You may well ask that, for I've been a brute to you; and now I know I
ought to have written to you, but you might have sent me a line, Ruth."

"So I did, and I believe Dick must have got it."

"The scamp!" exclaimed John.

"Ah, don't say anything unkind now, for it's all happened for the best."

Then Mr. Graham came up, and John went to see about Ruth's luggage,
further explanations and news from home being reserved till the evening,
when John had finished his day's work.

When Ruth's long story was finished, John sat thoughtful and silent for
some time.

"Yes, Ruthie, I do feel you are right. I want a stronger power than even
my love for you to keep me from yielding to temptation, and I will from
this time give my whole life, with its many sins and mistakes, into the
Hand of the One who will forgive all, and m