The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-06-24
geleft Story.
r I K.

Doctor Ruby got his wife by buying
a pony. 1 will tell you how it was.
ODe happy spring hespurchased Rose
Hills. 1t was beautiful estate, situa-
ted on hill l,.where multitudes of scarlet
roses grew and blssomed all summer.
There grew two varieties of them, one
which blossomed later than the other,
and the effect, as one vent over the
winding way to the house, was beauti-
.ful, 1 can tell yon.
The house was square, of massive
stone, softened with carressing vines
of tender green dropping from the por-
tico pillars and wreathing the> windows,
aud screened by dark frs which stood
around it. Within, it was full of dark
polished woods and rose colored mar
Bile, silver chandeliers and graceful
statues modern house with all the
embellishments of old climes and arts,
and homo beautiful enough for the
leveliest lady in the land.
But there was no lady at Rose Hills,
Doctor Ruby had no wife. A young
and handsome man, people, predicted
that he would soon marry; ofennrse,
a man who had house wanted mis-
tress for it. But Doctor Ruby gave no
encouragement to those predictions
He lived two years at Rose Hills, aud
never sign of a wife.
Meanwhile there were some chang
in the little village Of Lenox, to which
Rose Hills belonged. The Gavestons,
for instance, the most reserved and
nd wealthy family in the town, threw
open their house for visitors during the
second summer.
1t was the old Gaveston homestead
: low and brown, and spreading under
magnificent trees. with l,ng la.iced
porches; within, innumerable low wide
rooms, cool in summer, and the very
perfection of comfort In winter when
by the rucy glow of roaring hearth fires
The GaEestons were comfortable and
easy ivers, with the one popularity of
seeming to bo quite sufficient for them
selves and needing nothing from their
neie ehbora. There was large family
of them. AS have said, they sur
prised everybody by keeping open
house that summer.
i
returned from the South, where they
had been residing with an uncle for
two years. No one knew much of them
since they went away for school. They
were handsome-that was evident to
every stranger they were also well
educated and accomplished.
People concluded that it was on ac-
coun of Marion and Laura that so much
company arrived at the Gayestons.-
The other daughters were mere child
rem. For week every train seemed to
bring visitors, and carriages rode in and
out of Gaveston yard Continually
Lights glimmered there until late at
night, and laughter tinkled through
the trees too frequently not to betray
the merry groups upon the portieo and
lawn.
One day about this time, Doctor
Ruby received from Mrs. Gaveston a
party invitation. he knew the family
only professionally. He had been call
ed to them once as great favor when
child was taken very i'll of Group, and
the village physician was out of town.
Then be had only seen his little patient
and her parents.
Upon the same day that the invita-
.tion came he was IN town. Intent on
matters of his own, he noticed nothing
in particular until dress of azure silk
brushed Kim and lace handkerchief
fell at his feet. His first impulse was
to pick mp the handkerchief; his next
to look at the lady. She had advanced
a few steps and paused, glancing about
her, as if she missed something. 1t
was -anstant's work for Doctor Ruby to
restore the handkerchief, receive Q
gracious acknowledgment, aud stand
enchanted by the beauty of Marion
Galveston. He was IN despair as he
looked after her retreating form. Then
he remembered the party invitation for
the next evening with fash of the
ewes which the reception of the billet
dad hitherto failed to call forth. He
recognized her figure, but he had new
er seen her face divested Of vail MOI
heard her speak before.