The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-05-03


er. and both sullen and silent, for their
step mothers loud voice flied the whole
room. IT was the usual way depending
the evening in their uncomfortable and
unlovely home. Harry was more than
usually restless and depressed that night,
for all had gone wong with him the last
two or three days. Ruth was thinking
somewhat bitterly of Mr.. Upton's brill
liantly lighted rooms, ofthe gay company
the animated; faces, aud, must we confess
i itP Of Paul Upton, whom her little heart
cared great deal more about than it would
admit even to itself. .. o: .....t-
Come out Ruth, and walk with me-
Ihave something TO tell you" whispered
! Harry, al leBgtb, as hour after hour pass.
: I'D away, and both grew more restless. =
Ruth rose with slacrisy; resumed the bon
net and shawl which she had thrown over
a chan, and in an instant stood ready 10
go. They passed out unmoles.ed, and
for moment stood undecided as to which
way they should turn their steps. Then,
impelled by an irresistible impulse, Ruth
turned towards the footpath, which she
we'll knew would lead them in sight Of
Mr.. Up,on's house. Harry walked by
her side, silent as ever. Ruth minded
not that tile dead leaves and the wilher.
ed grass damped her dress, nor that the
wind felt more chilly and uncomfortable
than ever. Both brother and sister were
too full Of thoughts to heel the weather
What brilliant light streamed from eve
ry window Of Mr.. Upton's large house, al
the two wanderers steallhily approached
liz! Harry would have paused at suita
BILE distance, but Ruth urged him gently
forward.
please come little nearer, Harry
Ruth was not satisfied until they hat
gained a station Immediately underone o
the windows, position which command
ed view of both parlors. and which wai
likewise o:tably shielded from cb
servation.
Harry made some faint objection as tt
the impropriety Of the thing, but Rull
made no answer. Poor child she was to,
busily occupied at that moment TO car,
whether what she was doing was prope
or no.. Within there were gay musi
and animated faces, and anon a silver,
burst of laughter, which hoated out Il
the ears of the two lone watchers.
What splendid dresses! thought Rull
--'how glad am l didn't comel'
%, Ruth, just look-what beautiful
face That is like some Ct tie old paint
ings. There she has seated herself upo
that sofa opposite. Don't yop see heri
And Harry leaned forward and gaze
with q look Of the most eager admiration
Ruth drew him back. She had locke
and noted well the lovely face shaded b
the fair hair, which was now turned Wit
an eager, animated look upon her compau
ion, Paul Upton. Paul was talking mos
earnestly with the strange lady--so earn
estly that he seemed hot to heed anythin
that was passing around him. The
conversation seemed TO grow more an
more interesting and confidential, ft
PauPs face unconsciously approache
: near the lady's and she seemed listonin
most atlentively, ever and anon dartin
bright, arch look at her companion
II which lock, poor Harry, s!.iyering ou
d side. likened TO sunbeam.
i Yes, Ruth's eye had noted well ever
II detail ot the scene-the exquisite an
tasteful dress of Che stranger, that told {
n weallh-lhe tall, queenly FORM the ia
i complexion and rose-tuted cheek, an
is above ell, the interest which the two OF
e cupants Of the so'a took in each in olht
IS none of these things had escaped fro
Ruths glance. How meanly she thougl
3; OF herself at that inoment-of her dimi
d ptiye form, her dark complexion,
a which the rose tint was most unbecomir
her poor attire! She brushed ava
Of from her forehead her rich, dark ha
with disdaintul motion. She recolleGtt
ID aow that some one had once called b,
al witch.like and ierd.like; witch-like il
ct deed, she must look when compared wi
e. the lovely stranger within. But til,
Rutl's pride cams to her aid again, al
'y her dark eyes flashed unseen in her
ne ding place
re Should she hale PanI Upton? No,
&c was not worth hating; she would forg
ID him. and never look upon him again.
III She would liys for her father and Harr
is and sometime in the future, when she W
De rich ard famous, Paul might regret h
aud might seek to renew the acquaintan(
She imagined to horself the scorn wi
ok which she would receive his advaHct
IT when Suddenly she shiVered as in
't ague. fit. A casual glance at the windc
Oh had shown her Paul and the stranger lat
= gazing out into the night, and IN an
y, stant Ruth imagined she was discovere
on But the next moment the idea seem
l absurd. for the two had passed from t
window, and were now lost TO sight.
ng Harry, who had now forgot everythi
as in his admiration of the lovely strang
'as was now awakened to lite by Rull
Ike shlveV. .. .......
ny "Wby, Ruth, here you are chill
IS: through, and dear me, how thin yC
ad shawl is. How imprpdent of us to sta
= so long here. But that was such y boi
OIL tiful picture, Rutby." And Harrylau
he ed AID then sighed ct the recollection.
an. Ruth made no answer, only CLING lieh
ave to her brothers. am, as they turned ha
into the solitary night. Away from
Ter bright windows, and Harry's glooI
ces thoughts returned He brokeout abru
ght y:
. "Rulh, am going to the city to Sc