ly would insist
upon it. And that was the reason she thought it best for Agnes to keep
part of her own money.

"How little she suspects," she thought as Agnes sat down to rip her
dresses, looking quite satisfied at having to do with her old clothes.
"What a sweet spirit our Agnes has."

Agnes worked and thought. She did not have the least idea how the money
went, but she knew a little more would not be amiss, so she said: "If
there was any other way in which I could help you, Ruth."

"Never mind that," was the reply, "you can direct Martha, and see to
things when I am out, that will be a great help; for although Martha
does remarkably well for a child of her age, there are many things to be
attended to, requiring a more mature judgment."

"Quarter day" came, and when Agnes handed Ruth her money, it was
returned except the sum kept out for her board. "You know it was decided
that in future you should have your own money, Agnes."

"But, Ruth, I don't understand. Why should I when yours all goes for the
house?"

"If it were not best, I should not urge it," was the reply, and Ruth
seemed so positive that Agnes yielded. Weeks rolled on and to every
inquiry made by Agnes as to the time when Ruth meant to buy herself a
dress for winter, there was some trifling excuse made. Finally she told
Agnes there was no necessity for her waiting, it would be better if she
bought hers now before school commenced, and she could get her own
whenever she was ready.

"What kind would you get if you were in my place?" asked Agnes, a new
light breaking in upon her.

"A poplin by all means, they will be worn altogether."

"That is the very thing," thought Agnes. "I am sure now that she does
not mean to get any dress this winter, and she is so fond of good
clothes. Our Ruth is the most self-sacrificing woman, I ever knew. Now
it would be different if it were I, for I do not care for dress in the
same way as she; but I am so glad I thought of it, she shall have one
after all."

Full of this thought she set out to make her purchases. After looking
over several pieces, she came to one that was just what she wanted for
Ruth, a rich brown of beautiful quality. But the price perplexed her,
she could not get two and pay so much for them.

"Have you any others of this shade?" she asked.

"They are much coarser," was the reply, as the salesman handed down
several pieces of inferior quality. After a great deal of thinking and
calculating, Ag