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‘Twas an old, old man. His clothes showed signs of travel and his face was very sad. Taking his hand, she led him for a time till he came to a resting place.

Then she was about to go back and choose her road, but a child’s voice said: “Won’t you help me up this hill? I fall back when I try to climb.” And she went still farther into the way.

And then, when the child had been given over to his mother, a boy needed help in carrying a load, and as she talked with him she forgot the other road and began to see the beautiful things ahead in the road over which she was traveling.

There were flowers to pick and give to the sad; there were cooling springs where one could find cups of water for the weary; there were resting places under the trees to which one could lead the aged. And she had forgotten that she came to seek for a treasure for herself in her happiness in helping others.

So the days passed, filled to the brim with loving, helping deeds. The music which she heard was the song of the birds; the beautiful colors to cheer came in the flowers and in the sunset; the hills in the way were easily climbed, for there was much of friendship as she toiled upward.

One day in her path she saw a bent old lady in whose one hand was a book and in whose other hand was a basket. She seemed heavily loaded and the girl hastened to help her.

“Let me carry your basket,” she said cheerily. “Put the book on the top and I can take them both.”

Then a smile came over the face of the woman as she said: “The basket seems to be heavy, for in it is a great treasure. But he that hath this treasure finds no difficulty in carrying it. It is yours, child–all yours. Let me read to you from the book.”

Very slowly she opened the great book and read: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me.”

Then the gray cloak fell aside and her raiment was shining as the sun. Her beautiful face grew more beautiful as she handed the basket to the girl, saying:

“‘Tis the command of our King–to him that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance! Take your treasure–the love of the people along the way, but take also the gift of the King–comfort and happiness all the days of your life. For you entered the way of Love to seek for your treasure and where Love is, there God is also.”