“It is now three years since your husband helped a broken-hearted woman in the time of her greatest distress. When she was friendless and hopeless—when it seemed to her that her husband was to be parted from her for ever—when to both it seemed that God had forsaken them, your husband, on whom they had no claim, even of the slightest, came to them. He gave them hope and life; he restored them to each other and to the world. Buoyed up by hope, the husband gained the approbation of those above him, and the term of his punishment was remitted. He came to the gold fields; there he worked at his trade. He first built wooden huts, then took contracts, and bought land. A town sprang up. That land is worth a hundred times what he gave for it. He is now a rich man. He can never repay, we can never repay him whose kindness has made us what we are. My husband wishes me to say that he has heard from his brother that Mr. Maynard is down in Yorkshire, at work upon a railway. If you would not think it presuming on our part, we would say, why not come out here? Work of that kind is abundant, and well paid for. My husband can procure contracts, and would be only too glad and too proud to find the necessary capital, and to work in concert with and under Mr. Maynard’s directions. Accept a small remembrance of the grateful regard which is borne by her, who, with her husband, prays God daily to bless our benefactor and those he loves. “BESSY HOLL.” Frank fairly sobbed aloud. Kate, when she could speak, laid her hand upon his, and said reverently, “Cast thy bread upon the waters, and after many days it shall return again unto thy bosom.” Frank took her in his arms. “Dear wife, at last there is a future for us—at last there is an end to our anxiety and care. Let us thank God for it. This man means what he says, and from him, at least, I am not too proud to receive assistance. He has already made a position there, and with a staunch and able friend like that, we may rely upon making our way.” “Does it not seem strangely providential, Frank, that just as you helped him and his wife, when everything seemed at its worst, so he now holds out hope for us when we were ready nearly to despair.” “It is so, Katie. I accept it as God’s providence, and we will act upon it. Now, dear, give me some fresh tea; mine is quite cold, and even joy does not do away with hunger.” “What a heavy chain, Frank, and the pearls are really magnificent.”