Aunt Ruth pointed to the sunset, and rose to go in; but as Tom struggled to his feet, she said softly: "Tom, I don't think there is any home in America getting ready—" "But I know there is," said Tom, bluntly; "meanwhile, and always, 'He careth for you,' auntie!" They went in at last, and as they were wishing good-night, Aunt Ruth said: "Children, as you all seem to want me to live with you, I am only too happy to come." There was a bright joy on every face, and not least on Aunt Ruth's patient one. "You did persuade her well!" whispered Rose to Tom on the stairs. "I think it was God's assurance did it," said Tom. "I told her that she as well as we had His promise, 'He careth for you.'" CHAPTER XXIV. A MESSAGE FROM AMERICA. SO the summer and the holidays had come to an end, and Aunt Ruth had "settled down," as Tom called it, and filled her own quiet little niche very happily. After their last evening's talk at the seaside, the others were very curious to know whether Tom knew, really, of a home which was getting ready for Aunt Ruth. Tom only shook his head whenever they asked him. "I know what I know," he said gravely, "and I have my own conclusions. It is not for me to say to everybody what I think. I'm glad Aunt Ruth is going to be with us for the present! That's all I have to do with, and you won't get more out of me if you ask me for a year!" But all the same for that, when he got a letter one morning from America, he never mentioned the contents to anyone but his mother, and they did not know of that. It was not his own secret he was keeping. "What makes you so bright, Tom?" asked his aunt wistfully one wintry day, as they sat over the fire together. "Whenever I look at you, I say to myself, 'He careth for you,' auntie, and that does me good." "But why, dear—I am very happy," she added. "You are all so loving, and I have such a much easier life than if I had to turn out on the world." "Yes, 'He careth for you,'" said the boy, smiling. "You came and taught us to trust Him more than we ever did before, and now God lets me pass it back to you, so that you take courage to keep on!" He smiled at her lovingly, and went to fetch his lesson books. Tom read and re-read that letter from America, and could not make up his mind about it. The letter said: "You cannot think how you have comforted me about your Aunt Ruth! Tom! If you see any cause to tell her, or if you think it will add to her happiness, show her this letter. No one knows what it cost me to leave her without a word—but I seemed to have no right—at least, I thought so then. But sometimes I have thought—Tom, I am getting on nicely. Your text has been a great comfort, 'Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.'" "God has cared for me wonderfully, and if you think that she whom I love would be happier to know there is some one working for her, then—then tell her, Tom, or show her this letter, and ask her if I may write the next to her."