ow, but it drank deep and lost its
earth-stain long enough to carry back with it a faith that would enable
it to live.

The rosy light of day was showing ruddily in the window of the hut when
Joyce opened her eyes. The returning spirit came slowly back with
stately serenity. There was no shock nor start of wonder; it took
possession of the refreshed body that was awaiting it, and accepted its
responsibilities.

Joyce was lying on her back, her hands crossed upon her bosom. The fire
still glowed at heart, and the room was warm. A calmness and saneness
reigned supreme. Joyce wondered what had befallen her? Then slowly, like
a wise mother, Nature gave into her conscious thought the knowledge of
things as they were.

She turned--yes! there was Jude. But she did not shrink nor shudder now.
Young as she was, she had seen death many, many times. She had gone to
the portals, alone, with others beside her poor baby. She rose now, and
walked over to Jude's side. The night had wrought a change in him,
seemingly; or perhaps it was Joyce's regained sanity. The man on the
floor looked calm, peaceful and strangely dignified. His helpless
peacefulness appealed to Joyce. She began to take away all signs of
degradation that remained. The inanimate tokens of poor Jude Lauzoon's
weakness and undoing.

The empty bottle was hidden from sight; the disordered clothing was
straightened, and the hands that were never to work harm again, were
folded over the quiet breast.

God had set Joyce free! and as she did the last, sad service for the man
who had no real place in her life, the words of Ruth Dale recurred to
her.

No; she had never been free before. She never could have been free while
Jude and she walked the same earth. There had been an intangible link
that only death could sever.

Her freedom had come too late--but no! Sitting beside Jude's body, Joyce
felt the convincing truth that, come what might, she could, she would
live as John Dale had shown her how.

Softly, with reverent touch, Joyce covered the grim, white face, and
turned away to prepare for her home journey. She must get others to come
for Jude's body. Her part was all past now forever. She must go to face
her new life, whatever it might be.

As she opened the outer door, the clear, stinging cold brought a sense
of freshness and sweetness with it. It was so alive, and it called to
all that was awakening in her. Her slow blood tingled and her breath
came quick and