"Never mind now, sis. Tom was too many for 'em; and here I am safe. We'll wait here till Tom comes down, for I've got one of his horses, which he thinks more of than he does of himself; then for home, sis."
Mr. Tom Ruger went down, as he said he would, and remained with them several days. On the morning that they were to sail, Fanny said to Tom:
"I wish you were going with us, Mr. Ruger. We shall miss you very much. Won't you go?"
Mr. Ruger was talking with Jack at the time, but he heard Fanny—he always heard what she said.
He did not reply at once, however, but said to Jack, in a low tone:
"Jack, you know what I have been—can I ever become worthy of her?"
And Jack answered, promptly:
"God bless you, Tom, you are worthy now!"
"Thank you, Jack—if you believe!"
Then he went over to Fanny.