Middletown transcript., 1869-09-25

woods with my brother George, Mr. Stir
ling" said mischievous Annie, .'you had
better take care he will cut you out!"
Ernest made laughing reply and hur-
ried off in the direction Annie pointed out.
Lie had but just arrived-having been
very seriously attacked with brain fever
caused by two much study, which made
him unconscious of everything for weeks.
lie had been feeling ill for several days,
when one evening, tired and exhausted
with hard study at his desk, he took the
cars for neighboring town, where he had
business to transact with friend. While
there he was suddenly taken sick, and so
violently that his friend there forced him
to remain and let him nurse him. He
was delirious all the time, and though he
mentioned Ruths name frequently, he
could give his friend no directions about
sending word to her. Thus it was that all
Ruth's letters had missed him, remaining
at his office.
As soon as he was able, Ernest proceed
ed directly to see Ruth, without returning
to his office, and now weak and fatigued
with recent illness and travelling, he went
|
She had all this time been sitting with
George at the foot of the old oak. The
conversation had gradually assumed more
quiet tone, and George had resolved that
day to speak his love to her. Annie, true
to her matchmaking propensities, had
never told George of Ruth's engagement,
so he was entirely ignorant of the fact.
-" Ruth, q know you will allow me to
call you that, as we know each other so
welD do you remember when gave you
my picture, and you said you would re-
gard me as brother ?" George said,
looking at her tenderly. "Yes," said
Ruth, wondering what he was going to
say.
Ernest Stirling had just reached the
spot, (though unseen) guided by the
CLEAN of Ruth's white dress through the
trees, when George said:
81 have long wanted to ask you,
whether you could not love me more than
a brother-can't you Ruth II love you
more than any one on earth"
He had taken her passive hand and was
looking up in her face awaiting her an
swer
Ruth was so entirely taken by surprise,
that at first she said nothing
Oh, George" she said at last, d"
don't--you know that I" and she
could get no further, for George thinking
her agitation embarrassment, had put
his arm around her, and pressed her hand
close.
Ernest had heard and seen this much,
and could bear no more.
81 have seen enough" he said, " she
does not love me, for she has allowed this
man to make love to her, without obiec-
tion, in exactly the same way as with
me-"
He hurried from the woods and from
the place, but feeling he needed rest, he
did not return to his business, but went
home to his mother who lived at some
distance.
Ernest Stirling was of very impulsivc
temperament, as we have seen, and he
firmly believed that Ruth loved him no
longer, and did love George Hall.
In the meantime Ruth told George all
about her engagement, and was very much
surprised chat Annie had not told him be-
fore.
And you led me on, knowing all the
time l loved you," he exclaimed bitterly.
No, dear George did not intend it,
but your companionship was such comfort
to me, when 1 didn't hear anything of
Ernest, though l wrote him letter after
letter.-Oh, dear George for I do love
you as a brother-if you only knew how
dreadfully I feel about his coldness you
would not blame me-you would pity me-"
and she covered her face with her hands.
"My poor Ruth forgive mo- do
pity you-do let me do something to help
you and make you happy again. To show
you how much l love you, let me go and
find Mr.. Stirling-he may be sick you
know"
Ruth had not thought this very proba-
hle-but now to imagine Ernest suffering
and she not near him, filled her with sor-
row. ooh, George, if you only would
l could never thank you enough"
Shortly after they rejoined the rest, and
were greeted by Annie with Well, my
runaways! / hope you have been gone
long enougk-but what has become of Mr..
Stirling, Ruthic ?"
What do you mean Annie % cried
Ruth.
go such innocence She dqes not
know anything about it p'
"Come Annie-stop your nonsense, and
tell us what you mean," interrupted
Georges manly voice.
Don't you really know ?" still persist
ed his sister, ''well see by your looks
you don't, so 1 will tell you. Hc has
been here inquiring for Ruth, and looks
just as pale as ghost. I told him to go
and look for you in tho Woodland you
must have met him, for showed him ex-
aetly the way you had gone"
"Whep was he here-had he been to
grandma arst-Ehere is he noy?' Ruth
asked in one breath.
"That is exactly what supposed you