Mrs. Arlington sends me away, what will
become of me? The hope of my life will be disappointed."

"Well, I do not wish to discourage you, my dear Ruth, but you must see I
think that you are totally unfitted to have children under your care at
present."

"I suppose I am, Agnes, but I have been hoping that I should get over
this; it seems to grow worse and worse, however, and you may now do as
you choose. You have exercised great forbearance with me, dear Agnes.
You have been a true friend, and whatever may be the result, you may go
to Mrs. Arlington."

Mrs. Arlington was very kind, and only regretted that she had not before
been made acquainted with Ruth Glenn's singular conduct. She said she
did not doubt that it was entirely owing to her state of health, and her
sedentary manner of life for years past, and sent immediately for her
family physician, and made him acquainted with the case.

Agnes was sent for, and questioned as to Miss Glenn's actions and
appearance, when thus restless at night, and she as well as the
different teachers, were interrogated as to her habits in the day time.
The doctor thus learned that it was with the greatest difficulty that
Miss Glenn could be persuaded to take any exercise, and Agnes told him
what Ruth had related to her of her mode of life for the last few years.
The doctor thought it one of the most singular cases he ever met with,
and prescribed a strict course of medicine, diet and exercise, insisting
particularly upon the latter.

It was a hard thing to persuade Ruth to take her early morning walk, and
other exercise advised by the physician, and Mrs. Arlington was at
length obliged to tell her, that only upon condition of her obeying his
directions, could she consent to allow her to remain in the school.
This, together with the indefatigable endeavors of Agnes, prevailed
upon Ruth Glenn to take the accustomed walks, which Agnes with great
cunning contrived to lengthen every morning, until at length Ruth Glenn
would return with a slight tinge of color in her cheek, and an unusual
brightness about her eye. The result was very soon seen, in more quiet
nights in the third-story-room, and, before long, Ruth confessed that
she felt like another creature, and began to realize an enjoyment in
life, of which she had known nothing since her childhood.

Often, however, the old feeling of indolence returned, and it was very
amusing to Grace and Effie to hear poor Ruth beg and plead with