The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-01-18
Selected Story.
LETTERS PATENT.

mothers cottage, her pump, suapey nSue
clearly defined in the lingering gov OF sun
tbe street to where the path wound over the
brow of the hill and disappeared. It was a
face not handsome or even noticeable but for
the mouth, which in some way centred and
expressed all the other features. The firm
line of Ruth's closed lips meant strong,
practical nature, bnt equal possibilities oil
womanly sweetness and tenderness were sus-
gested by the fiexile curves into whlch II
broke as she spoke or smiled. IL was
young, fresh face, of one httle trleu as YET,
save by the common trictions OF life, but
whom any great test-strain of duty or suffer-
ing would nst find mprepared-who could
die for her ideal of right ii need were, or live
for il. which is sometimes the harder thing to
do. Country-bom and reared, Ruths win
someness was that of the good heart, without
which the best results of breeding and culture
are of little worth. She was not without her
vein of romance, either; and was, in her way,
as true a hero-worshiper as any maiden OF
the old Greek and Roman times.
Ruth's hero was Mark Barton. Their very
unlikeness had drawn them together, like the
attraction between opposite magnetic poles.
How often, in their old school-days, she had
looked on in maze of admiration while the
shy, dark haired boy, sitting apart from ms
noisy mates in the long noon-time, Whittieo
out little wheels and shafts. and paiieys, OF
ntted odd DIS oil wo0u toseon tnr WI" IN his
ent patlence-a restless hie "'i"e ~ Mo
black eyes.
Genius is often but sorrowful gift to pow
erty. Mark Barton had struggled up through
an orphaned boyhood and lonely youth to a
manhood bare, as yet, of most of those access
series to ease and comfort which men strive
after. Others, who, like him, had their own
way to make, were already settling in lite with
Marks work to any tangible result, capable of
exchange into home and fireside currency,
than when he and Ruth were first engared
three wears ago?
Meanwhile some ridiculed and more ham,
ed him. II ayailed little TO soften the stern
judgement of men of shrewd practical com
nonsense that one-half his small room was
crammed with books whose contents had
been transferred to his own busy brain. while
all around were strewn parts Of models. and
the Complicated fools of a mecbanician
Their disapproyal was all the more Grave
that one who had learned SO much siouId
know so little. Such labor was only a refined
sort of ideness-" shiftlessness" in the ex.
pIessiye local phrase. GA poor horse that
can't carry his own proyendero thew said
looking at Marks thin cheeks and threadhare
dress. But Ruth
Her ialth Is hxed and cannot move,
She darby feels him great and wise,
Ct can p not mnS Sn n,n wi1n ia'n,u eyes,
'n no' unaerS'anu' love.
This cheery-faced girl, waiting in the twilight
for her tardy lover, cared little for the sneers
OR pity of those who might misiudge him
She saw him coming at last, but SO SLOWLY
and YEARLY that she hurried out to meei
him, in fright lest he were i'll.
sNo, not sicko he said. in answer tn he,
T.
that could not make itself quite steady. IFS
all wrong. Ruth %
"What is wrong, Mark? o
"The machine; oh, Ruth, to fail now. when
have worked at this SO longr'
eFail! Why, Markw said Ruth, LAYING her
hand on her arm with a swift corass;,,G w, no
ton, athat's new word for YOU, dear! Be.
sides, how often I've heard mother saw that
next Zinc to he;no r;ol,t 20 'no. very
at is not that Ruth. NV princinal is "a t,1,e
one. and know that in time could find on,
some way to obyiate this defective WORKING
but Ruth hardly dare to fell vou&I ba ye
spent more than nv last cent on that model
and how Pm to nav NV debts. even witbon,
selling nv books. really cannot tell II " as
pure presumption TO oo on 60 hnt T woe co
sure Of success This lime and Won know W wb su
success meant for YOU and me-"
He paused moment. than he said ;nnotu.
onsly: ''''H - 'A''' i''''e'o'
"You had host o;yo mo nm pr,b. tn, 10.
worth the WAITING forin -''
Her hand was on his Inns.
''Don't, Mark. she said. aComa indoors
there's no one here
They went in; she drew him into a chat,
and sat down beside him bnidinm i' I;s ,.a,ad
mark. how much money do Won need tc
pay these debts and 90 on with youu worl, q,
"More than I shall be likely TO see very
soon, little woman, he answered. trying IN
speak cheerfuly
Would five hundred dollars he enouob p,
fE"Five hundred? What would not five hr,n.
bred dollars do? But why do you ask You,
eyes shine as if you had found the philosoph.
er's stone"
ats Just as well for Won as If 7 badr,. said
Ruth, wisely: "you shall have that snm tn
morrow-to night, if YOU wish itr
aRntb y, 'NN "''A
"Mark, dear. l have a secret. IFS tbe first
one ever kept from YOU. You've heard me
speak of uncle Rogers, havn,t you? Though
indeed, L don't remember him very well nv.
self He died wear ago. in California and
left me in his viii five hundred dollars.
meantto surprise YOU with 1t. and not come to
you quite empty-handed, when-when we arc
married, Mark. But it will do us both a greai
deal more good now than then. and Oh
Mark, Pm SO gladr'
Little, practical Ruth broke down and HID
her face in her hands.
'sMy darling girlw cried Mark Hft;no ba,
face till he could look into her fearful ewes
"you don't think could take that money %
"Oh, Mark indeed, indeed I dor
"But cannot; it would. not be manly OF
even right"
"Mark, listen to mew Ruth was speaking
now with camer authority that forced him
to hear. care there anv Questions of worldly
usage between you and me? Are not our in.
terests one? Can any good fortune come to
me and not to mine too9 Can Won Won't ~
build up home any more than I long to try
to make it a happy one for you? Does il
make any difference whether you or Iuse that
money, or when, only as one or the other can
do the best with it for both ofus?"
Il will take it," said Mark, solemnly aand
may God prosper me as l shall use it for us
bothw
"Going to be married. oh Rutb 9v said
Judge Markham next day. as Ruth presented
the note he had owen her far The ap,oynt If
her little legacy.
"No, sir; not vet"
"Well, well, child! It's none of nv busi.
ness what YOU want with vour monevn.s;on.
ing check and giving it to her with a glance
at her scarlet cheeksS"here It is. interest and
all but it's my advice to Won. and no fee asIk-
ed, not to invest il too daenlv with that ba i,.-
Drained lover of YOURS"
Ruth drew her little fioure nm with spddap
dignity.
'I'm much Obliged to Won Judoe Markham
she said, and went ont tha c,rront Of No.,
Joy too deep and strong TO be disturbed bv
any passing ripple of yexation.
Full OF new courage. and with every nerve