Ruth

m-Spirit

as Russian or Italian, in her musical voice. Mr Benson, for that was the name of the hunchback, lay on the sofa, thinking; while the tende

lack, now silver-white at one transparent edge, now with the moon shining like Hope through their darkest centre, now again with a silver lining; and now, utterly black, they sailed lower in the lift, and disappeared behind the immovable mountains; they were rushing in the very direction in which Ruth had striven and struggled to go that afternoon; they, in their

e, broad world, and thought that the syren waters, whose deadly music yet rang in her ears,

n to speak so-but, for His sake, I implore you to be patient here, if only till to-morrow morning." He looked at her, b

rue that his words did not vibrate in her atmosphere. The storm-spirit raged there, and filled her heart with the thought that she was an o

I to do w

er his own disciplined heart had power, but put them aside a

dead or alive, I command you to stay

k it with her sobs. Her heart was touched, and h

ou could not-for her sake

blank in her heart. She had given up her chance

, but, unconsciously to himself, in the tone of one wh

d, "Yes." But

es. She came from

oung lady to sleep there to-night. Will you take her there now? Go, my dear. I have full trust in your promise not to leave until I can speak to you." His voice died away to s

astic form. He met Ruth in all possible places and ways, and addressed her in every manner he could imagine most calculated to move and affect her to penitence and virtue.

orks in H

awakened by a knock at the door, which seemed a repeti

ood at the first word of

dy is very ill indeed, sir; perhap

ll?" said he,

ut I think she is dying,

u directly!" he replied, hi

hey thought she strove to do so. But all power of motion and utterance had left her. She was dressed in everything, except her bonnet, as she had been the day before; although sweet, thoughtful Mrs Hughes had provided her with nightgear,

ood?" said he, anxio

uld please to get her a cup of water. I brought her some milk though, and 'deed, I think she'd rather have h

he doctor co

up nearly every day n

lay her in bed? Open the window too, and let in the air;

r crossed their minds to regret that this poor young creature had been thus

that gives, and