In the midst of the shadow over the household at Ekero, Alma’s birthday had come. No festivities could be thought of. No birthday table was decked for her with flowers and gifts. Her father had not even remembered the fact that she was now eighteen years old until the evening came on. The housekeeper, a thorough Swede in all things, could not forget such an anniversary; but she was in no mood towards Alma to prompt to any particular kindness in that direction, or any festal preparations.

The father and daughter were sitting quietly together in the study in the evening. “Alma,” he began, “I have just remembered that it must be your birthday. It has been a sad, neglected birthday for you, my child; but it shall not pass altogether without notice. Give me the jewel-case that has been in your charge, and the key too, dear. I have, of course, meant that you should have these things that were so peculiarly associated with your dear mother’s younger days. The watch you can wear at once, as your own does not seem to keep good time. Hers was an excellent time-keeper, and it will remind you to be exact and true, and gentle and holy, like your dear mother. I shall take real pleasure in seeing you wear it. Go, daughter, at once! I am glad I thought of something that will please you on your birthday.”

Alma obeyed mechanically, and returned quickly with the empty case in her hand, hoping that when the critical moment came she should be able to explain herself satisfactorily. She gave the casket into her father’s hands, and waited in a silence so natural under the circumstances that he did not notice it.

There was no sparkle from the dark cushions, but a sudden, astonished sparkle in the colonel’s eyes. “Empty, Alma! What does this mean?” he exclaimed.

“I have given them away,” she said, blushing very deeply.

“Given them away!” repeated the colonel, slowly and sternly.

“I have given them for a good object, very dear to my heart. I am sure you would approve of it. Please, papa, do not ask me any more about it now. I do not want to tell you yet. It is a secret. I have promised, just to myself, and almost to God, never to tell any one until a certain thing is accomplished until I can fully succeed.”

“What is the matter with you, child? Have you lost your senses? You had no right to give away things intrusted to your care. I have told you that, by your mother’s simple will, all she had was left at my disposition. Am I to be disappointed in both my children?” and the colonel bowed his head upon his hands.

“Dear papa, you are not to be disappointed in me! I have done nothing wrong.” Here Alma’s conscience gave her a sharp prick. Suddenly she broke out, after a moment’s pause, “I want to be like the princess. I am sure that would please you, papa! You know she sold her jewels for a home for the sick poor.”

The colonel answered seriously: “The princess is a saintly woman, and you would do well to follow her example. She sold her jewels to build a home for the aged sick, but she did not do it, princess and grown woman as she was, until she had asked the consent of her mother and her brother the king. What have you done, my child? What have you been thinking of? You must explain yourself fully. I have a right to demand it!”

Alma again left the room, to return with the little yellow house in her hands. “Here is my savings-box, papa,” she said; “Nono made it for me.”

A flush of pleasure came over the face of the colonel. “So exactly like Karin’s cottage!” he exclaimed. “What a clever little boy! I like him.”

“I thought I thought,” said Alma, encouraged by her father’s smile “I thought I would like to have a home for sick little children. I wanted to save my money to do something really good and lasting, instead of fooling it away by giving a little here and there, that did not after all do much good to anybody. I have saved all I could, and have given nothing away for anything else, but it went very slowly, and then I thought of those ornaments that were to be mine, and I really did not think you would care.” Here Alma blushed, and added, “I hoped you would not mind!” and her tears fell fast.

“My poor child!” said the colonel, as he put his arm around her and drew her to his side. “So this is the explanation of the change that had passed over you, and had given me so much pain! my little Alma, who loved so dearly to give, and who has lately been so hard and cold that the very idea of an appeal from a poor family seemed to close her heart and stiffen her face into determined opposition. You cannot be a princess, dear, and do some great thing. I am afraid there was more pride than holy love in your plan. You should not think of yourself when you want to do good, but of your heavenly Master and his suffering brothers. Remember that! That was your dear mother’s way. Self seemed dead in her. If she could but have lived to teach you by her beautiful example! It is not in seeking to do some great thing that we are in the right path. The little things that come to us day by day and hour by hour are safest for most Christians, and surely so for beginners. Where is the key to this locked little house?”

Alma produced the key at once, and placed it in her father’s hands. He might open that small door if he pleased. She fancied it would be almost wrong to do it herself.

The door was opened, and there, among small coins and great, lay the jewels. The crystal of the watch had been broken by some falling contribution. The colonel took the watch in his hand, and said,

“This can easily be repaired. You must wear it constantly; and may it remind you that the best gifts to God are those that are offered humbly, modestly, with no thought of self, and with no desire for the praise of man. If the little watch can so remind you of your duty, it will be a holy messenger to you, and so in a way set apart to the service of God. You have unwisely given, as you thought, the diamonds to the poor. We will not take them back. Your dear mother had not herself worn them for many years. They shall be sold, and you may send the money anonymously to any hospital for children where help is needed. So you will keep your motives. With the money lying in the little cottage you can have the joy of helping the suffering poor; but you had better consult with me as to how to use it. It is not to be thrown away now lavishly on every applicant, to do perhaps more harm than good. Lay the jewels in the case and lock the door of the little cottage.” He was going to add, “Remember, Alma, that one kind word from you to your brother is a better offering for you than much money given in charity.” The words were not spoken. He but said, “Poor Frans! where is he? God help my boy!”

Alma put her arm round her father’s neck and whispered, “Dear papa, if Frans comes home when he comes home, I do really mean to be more kind to him than ever before; but he ”

“No ‘buts,’ Alma,” said the father. “However far wrong your brother has gone, he is still your brother, your only brother, and it will be your duty to love him, and pray for him, and watch over him with tender affection. He has no mother. You must be to him all that a good sister can be.”

“Papa!” said Alma, deeply moved, “you are too gentle towards me. I do not deserve it. I half felt all the while that I might be doing wrong about those things that did not really belong to me. I see it now very plainly. I would not listen to my conscience. I see I had a foolish pride in what I was trying to do. I did not see it clearly then, but now I know I was taking possession of what did not really belong to me I who have been so angry with Frans, so ashamed even to think of him as my brother! I don’t know what I should have been if I had fallen into temptation, and had had a bad companion to lead me on! Please, please, papa, forgive me! I know you do; but I cannot forgive myself! I am sure the sight of dear mamma’s watch ought always to make me humble.”

“May God help you and keep you from all evil!” said the father solemnly, as he kissed his daughter and bade her good-night.