rthier
purpose--the restoration fund of St. Barnabas's Church."

Barry ground his teeth and muttered something under his breath. He had
often heard Rose Maynard speak of her aunt Martha, who was evidently
not a lovable person.

"It hurt us terribly," continued Mr. Maynard, "but our necessities were
pressing, and I decided to keep the gift. Rose, however, begged me not
to use it till the following day. Then she went out. She was only
away for a few hours, and on her return I found she had obtained a
situation in a draper's shop at thirty shillings a week. That very day
I returned my sister's gift, urging her to use it for the 'worthier
purpose.' Rose, who cannot help being mischievous, was in such high
spirits that she added a postscript, asking her aunt to be sure to send
us six copies of the free parish magazine containing the announcement
of her princely donation, as it would interest people in Australia; and
the wilful girl enclosed sixpence for postage."

"Bravo, Rose----Miss Maynard!" cried the seaman, leaning back in his
chair and laughing heartily.

"Since then we have managed to get along fairly well, but a month ago
Rose contracted a low fever, and had to remain at home until the
beginning of this week. She is quite recovered now, thank Heaven, and
this afternoon, as I was turning over some of the little articles we
had saved when our home was broken up, I came across this curiously
carved ivory tobacco-box. It belonged to my father, who told me that
he had paid two hundred rupees for it in India. Surely, I thought, I
can either sell or pawn it for a few pounds, so that when Rose comes
home to-night I can give her a pleasant surprise. But, as you know, I
was bitterly mistaken; and yet I was about to take the man's offer,
when I heard your voice. See, here it is."

The box was certainly an exquisite specimen of Indian carving, and, as
Mr. Maynard said, of great antiquity.

Barry looked at it admiringly for a minute or two, and then said,--

"Do not offer it to a pawnbroker again. I should think it is worth at
least twenty pounds. There is a famous collector in Sydney--a Colonel
Maclean; do you know him?"

"No, I have never heard the name."

"I know him very well; he visits every ship that comes from the South
Seas, in search of rare curios. Take or send this to him. He is a
wealthy and liberal man, and will give you its full value, or three
times as much if he wants it badly." Then he