"My dear," said Mr. Groombridge, after hearing the story; "I shall persuade Ruth to go out at once. Our friends, the Grahams, who find it so difficult to secure good servants in Melbourne, will be only too glad of Ruth's help until John can make her a home, and she will be a strength and stay to him, and all suspense for her will be over." "I don't like to part with Ruth a day before I'm obliged, but I think your plan excellent," returned his wife. It was discovered that, when consulted, Ruth's opinion coincided exactly with that of her mistress, and a month afterwards she bade farewell to her friends and sailed for Australia. * * * * * "You've a young man named Greenwood in your employ, I believe?" said a gentleman, walking into the store where John was engaged. "Yes, I have, sir." "Can you spare him an hour or two? I want him to meet a friend who is coming in by the steamer to-day from England." "Certainly, sir. Here, John, this gentleman wants you to go down with him to the Docks." John looked surprised, but, supposing it to be a business call, put on his coat and hat and walked out. "Are you expecting a friend from England?" asked the stranger. "No, sir, I wish I was," was John's involuntary reply. "I had a letter from my old friend Mr. Groombridge, of Bristol, and he asked me to call for you on my way to the Docks, as some one you once knew was coming in by the steamer." "Who did he say it was, sir?" asked John, with a sudden tumultuous beating of the heart. "He did mention the name, I believe; but, dear me, I've left the letter at home. It's no matter, though, you will soon learn," said Mr. Graham, with an amused smile, as he watched John's face. "It couldn't be, of course," argued John to himself; but as the steamer came in he eagerly scanned the faces of the passengers, with but one thought. No, she was not there, and with a bitter feeling of disappointment he fell back. "John! Oh, John!" He looked up. How could he have overlooked that figure with eager hands stretched out towards him! Yes, it was his trusting, loving Ruth, who, unasked, had crossed the seas to help and cheer him in the hard battle he was fighting for her sake. "Oh, Ruthie," he said, as he grasped her hands; "I don't deserve this. Why have you come, darling?" "Why, I came for your sake, of course, John; but are you quite sure you want me?" "You may well ask that, for I've been a brute to you; and now I know I ought to have written to you, but you might have sent me a line, Ruth." "So I did, and I believe Dick must have got it." "The scamp!" exclaimed John. "Ah, don't say anything unkind now, for it's all happened for the best." Then Mr. Graham came up, and John went to see about Ruth's luggage, further explanations and news from home being reserved till the evening, when John had finished his day's work. When Ruth's long story was finished, John sat thoughtful and silent for some time.