The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-07-28

Iron THE PREss.l
Ruth May.
BY KATE W.
CONCLUDED. l

"Did you call me, Ruth ?" said deep, low
voice, close by my side. Oh those tones;
with cry of surprise | started to my feet, and
there by the forest oak, stood Archie Lane; a
tall, handsome man, in rich attire and with a
look Of tender surprise resting upon his counte-
nance | need not give you in detail how he
insisted upon escorting me home, and of the story
the loss of his wife, and his subsequent wander
ings in search of happiness and of his surprise
to find me in that western wildwood and [
need not tell you Of the warm welcome given
together nor need | tell you how he came to
our poor home, again and again, always however
meeting me in the presence of some member of
the family; but then his tones grew soft, and
low, while speaking to me; and his glance seem
ed to rest upon me with tender kindness, which
made me long all the more for the old confidence
inmy husband, which once made my life so bright
somehow after all my murmuring and longing
after the what might have been, could not en-
dure those tender expressions of regard even
| from handsome Archie Lane One day, after
toiling all the morning, left Willie sleeping in
his crib, while took a short ride; and as if it
were all in my destiny, met Archie Lane I had
sought to avoid him, but he was in my pathway,
and turn which way would, yet still could not
avoid the meeting. We were but short dis
| lance from the house, and so | determined to
return, rather than ride a greater distance with
him as an escort. AS I turned my horse, calling
his name, Archie caught the bride. and turning
to me said: / see that even in your distant
home, you still remember the familiar name of
Archie [ felt the red blood rushing to my
cheeks, as replied: +" He was'my sisters favor
tie, Mr.. Lane, and she named him" "Ah,"
said he, but Ruth, permit me so to call you
you are unhappy in your present home, and |
too am an unhappy, homeless wanderer; go with
me Ruth, and -.n waited to hear no more
wounded pride, scorn, loathing, filed my heart;
and over all. like the angel Of hope smiling over
the grieved heart, smiled the image of my noble
Harry. | rode haughtiy past proud Archie
Lane; and refining my horse at the door, threw
the bride across the fence, and hastily entered
the house but fearful lest in my excited haste
[ should 'waken my sleeping babe, | paused at
the door of my chamber and softly opened it
when what q scene was there? my loved Harry
kneeling by little Willie's crib, his black curls
brushed back from his broad brow, which rested
upon his toil-staned hands; and the large tear
drops coursed down his sur burnt cheeks. was
unused to seeing Harry weep, and yet [ did not
stay to ask myself why he wept; but went 81
lenty to his side, and laid my head softly beside
his he Looked up with glad smile of surprise,
and eve4 yet did not ask him why he wept, but
laying my head on his fnee, | told him all my
trials and temptations; how had lovedmy vi
olet, and how cold Rose was to me and how
tired and weary [ was, and how much / had
gonged for the dear old happy times of our early
married life; and how much | needed his loving
words to cheer me in my loneliness and weakness
and then told him of my meeting with Archie
Lane and of the words he had dared to breathe
to me- and how had left him with scorn and
all the while my husband kept smoothing my hair
as was his wont in bye-gone days; and when
had told him all, he bowed his head, and kissing
my brow, still smoothing my hair, said: My
poor Ruthie it shall be so no more; too have
mad my trials; l have worked hard intent on the
one purpose OF earning tie means to build up for
US nome OF our own, and no longer be DEEPEN
dent upon the generosity of our relative; for
give me Kuthle II have been neglectfnl | have
tolled Tor you; | wished to lessen your care, but
, first | must remove you from here; but with all
my trouble, the greatest trial, was the cloud
which rested upon the brow Of our love god and
to-day, when / saw you meet Archie Lane. a
sadness came over my heart, and came hither
! alone with my sad thoughts; but this shall be
SO no more, my Ruthie, for in spite of difficulties
| have managed to lay by neat little sum, and