Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-10-28
Ruth.

Ruth.
She was standing at the garden gate, all
alone, in the deepening twilight. Dear, gentle
Ruth. with eyes like mourning yiolcts, and hair
of that soft TIM, brown in the shade, and gold
er in the sun YOU would have loved her had
YOU seen her: there was in her manner that
cHnelng. coufdiug air which endeared her to
all hearts. and made her sole empress of one.
When she raised those soft, blue eyes, from
whose depths the pure soul looked forth, pang
would rend your heart to think that so fair
creature should some day know the bitter word
sorrow. She was standing at the garden gate
watching him to whom she had given her first
love- as be strolled down the lane and into the
meadow. They had parted, perhaps forever ;
he to 90 into the busy world and carve his own
frtune: she. to remain in her native village,
until such time as he would return and claim
the reward 80 arIeuty wished for. Dear, gen.
tie Ruth. whose whole life was noble sacri-
fee an invalid mother claimed all her care,
else she would have left home, friends, every
thing, and gone with Paul Seaton on his jour
ucy through life.
Here was a beautiful home in a pleasant lit
lie village, skirted by grove of sturdy forest
trees. You could detect the presence Of a
young girl, in the creeping vines that wound
along the balcony in the roses that blocmed
along the garden walks, and in the air OF
chcerfulness that reigned throughout the whole
house. There were dainty white curtains at
the parlor windows, drawn back with pink
ribons; vases Of flowers on the high mantle,
and an open piano with keys still vibrating at
the remembrance Of the fair fingers that had
lately touched them. Ruth would auter from
room to room, arranging this, and touching
that, as if it were the ambition of her life to
hover over disordered furniture
But this evening there was a sadness in
every gesture Her head drooped upon her
bosom. her eyes were suG'used with tears, aud
her hands trcmbled as she performed the
accustomed nightly Offices for the mother
whom she so much loved.
Time passed on, and change came owe
Ruth and her quiet home; her mother
departed to the land Of shadows, leaving the
young girl to the care of an uncle then residing
in distant CITY, With heavy heart, Ruth
took her last look Of hor childhood's home. and
departed to meet the strangers with whom her
future lot was cast. Her uncle was a cold.
roticcnt man, and the kiss he laid upon the
forehead Of his niece seut q chill to her heart.
so formal and stately was the salute. She
dreaded to meet his wife and daughters and
as their journey drew to a close, and the car
riage drove up to handsome brown house,
Ruth leaned out to catch a glimpse Of her fu-
ture home. A very fashionable brown stone
front IT was. with broad fight Of marble
stems leading M to the massive door. where
stood q rootman waiting to receive them.
Ruth was ushercd into the parlor. and scat
ed upon a sofa: everything betokening wealth
and fashion. and a sense Of loneliness cropt
npon the orphans heart as she recalled her
cottage home in the beautiful country. She
was saved gush Of tears by the timely en-
trance Of three Iades-her aunt and two cous-
ms They pressed the TIPS Of her fingers.
Touched tbeir Inns 70 her forehead. and sat
down. eveing her with curiosity. strongly min
rIed with wonder. They had expected to sec
q, ovcrrrown school girl. fresh from romp
=, ,bo woods and here was = delicate LADY,
ike vorno woman whose face was ono Of more
than ordinary boartv. They asked Ruth ma
ny onastiors concerning her mothers death.
which she cndeavsred to answer without show
irr her emotion. but the tears would come in
snite # herself for which she received from
her fashionable cousins broad stare. and an
inexpressible look Of mingled contempt and
ritv At last she was conducted to her own