Middletown transcript., 1869-09-25

anu lie nau just turned TO one or Ernest,
which Ruth kept there for her grandmoth-
er's benefit, while no one but herself knew
of the one in the little bluc-velvet case up
stairs.
"a friend of yours" echoed George,
" 1 used to know him, and he looks yor-
thy to be your fricnd-such good, hon
est, sincere face" Ruth said nothing
and George continued, :" wonder if you
would keep my picture, Miss Ruth, and
show it to strangers as "a friend of
yours?"
"Why yes, for you know we are very
dear friends. aren't We? replied she in her
naive way.
but, do you think you could ever feel
for me as brother 2" he said abruptly.
81 am sure of it," Ruth answered, and
shortly after he took his leave, holding
her hand at parting in his strong grasp.
Ruth sang softly to herself that night,
and improvised on the piano until the old
clock rang out One 1t was a favorite
way of hers when she wished to dream and
think. Her thoughts were mingled to-
night-both glad and sad. She had not
heard from Ernest for three weeks and
more, though she had written again and
again, imploring him to write, and she
would have been heart-broken had it not
been for Georges society.
He was so congenial, so warm-hearted
and sympathetic.
Two weeks had passed since that night,
and Annie was on the qui uiCe, for she
had gotten up picnic and invited all the
young people within four miles, to come
1t was to be on Thursday, and the day be-
fore Ruth and Annie ght have been seen
in aprons, and sleeves rolled up, making
cake most assiduously.
You make silver cake and will make
gold-and you had better come over to
our house, SO We can do it together" An
ME had said; but more difficulties stood in
the way of the amateurs than they had
bargained for. Juliet (for such was the
sentimental name of Mrs. Halls cook)
was, Annie said, ''as cross as u cat" and
made strong objections to their invasion
of her kingdom. Annie however had will
of her own and accomplished her purp ose
Juliet had her " clcarin' up times :" like
Dinah in "Uncle Toms Cabin"-and be-
fore these "times" her motto was ga place
for everything and nothing in its place !"
But by much coaxing and blarneying on
the part of Annie, who, when she chose,
could be irresistible, Juliet was at last
brought to terms, and the cake then went
on swimmingly. No words can express
their exultation when with flushed faces
and foury hands they brought in their
respective cakes for Mrs. Halls inspcc-
ton:
The next day rose bright and clear. -
Ruth could not sleep after dawn. She
was unhappy about Ernest-for not word
from him yet, and she had been so regular
in writing long letters to him. Even if
he is sick, he might send me telegram,
cried she; "but if he chooses to give me
up he can-I am not dependent on him for
happiness, (though even then a tell-tale
tear came in her eye) there are as good
fish in the sea as ever were caught, as An
ME would say, and George
She stopped for her love for Ernest
seemed intense at that moment, and
George was in some way connected with
her feeling for him. He reminded her so
much of Ernest in his ways and manners
and perhaps this was the reason why
she already began to have a warmer feel
ing than mere Platonic friendship for
George Hall. She was such young, un-
sophisticated thing, that she could hardly
be expected to know her own mind-and
even now her feeling for George rose more
from pique and resentment at Ernest's
neglect than a positive affection.
Soon she reused herself from her sad
thoughts. for the breakfast bell was ring
ing, and hurried down stairs just in time
to greet her grandmother and uncle with
a good morning kiss. George and Annie
Hall were to call for her at ten in a car
riage, and when they came she was all
ready, in white picquet and sailor hat
tsimmed with blue. George thought, as
he put her into the carriage, that he had
never seen her look moro lovely.
A gay scene came to view as they near
ed the fine old woods which was the place
chosen for the picnic. Quite crowd of
ladies in bright dresses were there, and
gentlemen too, making themselves gener-
ally useful in a variety of ways.
After mingling with the crowd awhile,
George and Ruth strolled off together un-
der the grand old oaks and pines, talking
and laughing merrily. Presently they be-
came more quiet and sat down at the foot
of an oak where we will leave them for the
present.
In the meantime Miss Annie Hall had
been having, as she expressed it, "a gay
time" Her admirers were all around her
and she was bewitching them with her
pretty coquettish ways and bright speech
es. "Why," said one of these, Miss
Annie, what is all that about your friend
Miss Howard and Ernest Stirling 2"
ooh! don't yo4 know-they have been
so stupid as to get engaged. Nothing
should eyer induce me to do such foolish
thing" replied Annie-but quickly stop
ped, for who should she see coming
through the trees but Mr.. Stirling him
4 r y Al