"Oh, yes, for it's all new to me, and I would like you to show me how to pray."
The two girls hurried home, and knelt together, while in simple, heartfelt words, Alice laid the need of her companion at the feet of Him who hears and answers prayer.
"That has done me good; thank you so much, Alice," whispered Ruth, with a grateful kiss.
"You will pray by yourself, won't you, dear?" asked Alice.
"Yes, and for John too," answered Ruth, a bright hope already dawning in her heart.
That evening, at Alice's suggestion, she looked through the Bible for promises to meet her special need. When she went downstairs to lay supper, it was with a glad heart at the abundant encouragement she had received. From that time she commenced a new life, and though her feet often faltered in the upward path, and her heart sometimes grew heavy with foreboding fears, a light had arisen for her which grew brighter as the months passed. Many times she sorely regretted that she had let John go from her in pride and anger. If she had but the opportunity now—and her heart ached for it—how tenderly she would plead with him to be true to himself and her.
"John says he supposes you've forgotten all about him," said Mrs. Greenwood one evening, when she had called.
Ruth's face grew scarlet.
"Why doesn't he write to me, then, and let me know what he means?" she cried with bitterness.
"I'm sorry you should have quarrelled, my dear, for I believe you're the very woman for him; and I know he's desperately fond of you, and here's Dick saying Jack would do better with a woman to keep him out of mischief."