"Perhaps I was going just the opposite way from the one he went. Oh,
dear! how can I ever give him back his rule? It is such a beauty. If
it had been mine, I 'd just hate to lose it."

"Let us examine it," suggested Jack Frost, "and see if there is any
sign upon it that would help to discover its owner;" and without a
moment's doubt or hesitation Lionel drew it from his pocket and held it
up for Jack Frost to see.

Then for a little space they both gazed at it carefully; Jack Frost
bending down his tall head to get a nearer view of it, and Lionel
standing upon the tips of his toes to accomplish the same purpose.

"Oh, see, see!" cried the boy, joyously. "It says, 'LIONEL,--HIS RULE
FOR LIFE.' That means I can keep it for always, does n't it? Forever
'n' ever."

"It means," explained Jack Frosty gravely, "that you can keep it,--yes.
But it means you are to measure your life with it. You are always to
use it in everything you do. Then you 'll be _true_, and whatever you
do will be _straight_ and _square_."

"Why, that's what he said himself. He said I must always 'go square.'
That was when he was giving me directions how to reach the beautiful
place he came from. He called it an estate; and he said if I ever got
there I 'd never want to come away. As long as I 'm on the way I guess
I 'll try to find that place. Will you take me?"

"I 'm afraid," replied Jack Frost, with a very kindly seriousness,--"I
'm afraid one must depend on one's self in order to reach that place.