Middletown transcript., 1869-09-25

pression.-
The next day George started for the
town that Ruth had been accustomed to
send her letters to Ernest but he was told
Mr.. Stirling had gone to the next town
and was with his friend Mr.. Morgan,
there. On inquiring of Mr.. Morgan,
George heard about Ernest's illness and
his departure to see Ruth, but after that
he could no longer trace him. After ac-
quainting Ruth with this by letter, he ad-
ded, "dearest Ruth, l will discover Err
nest yet-and will send you word. Don't
be despondent for now you know he is
still true to you-and there must be some
misunderstanding which keeps him away.
You have promised to be my dear little
sister and shall be quite happy if I sue
coed in making you happy. For I don't
think my love for you IS selfsh-now that
I know you can never be any more to me
than sister, | TN perfectly contentcd in
striving to be worthy of being your broth=
or and rendering you as happy as can"
Ernest was all this time at his mothers
The journey and the excitement and grief
he had felt, had proved too much for his
frame to bear, and he was once more sick.
Mrs, Stirling was devoted to her only
son-and saw that he had something on
his mind-which he was longing to say.
One evening she was bathing his aching
head-when she said, "Ernest-do you
often hear from Ruth :"
She felt him start and then he exclaim-
ed, "Oh mother never mention her name
again, am deceived in her, she is en-
gagged, L suppose now, to some one else !"
and then he poured into her sympathizing
ear all about his recent grief. But Mrs.
Stirling did not think the matter so bad
as he did.
"Oh no, my son. I can't believe Ruth
Howard has behaved in this way, there
must be some mistake" Then She per-
suaded him to write and ask Ruth about
it. 81 think Ruth has reason to blame
you-how can she know you have been
sick And you have not written to her
since before that, you say"
True" said Ernest thoug ghtfully-and
before night came on he wrote, Ruth, l
regret to say that l saw and overheard,
unintentionally, your loye making in the
wood. | will pot reproaph you-but of
write before, because l have been very i'll
and even now am hardly able. will
return your letters and picture as sup
pose you would wish me to do so.-Ernest
Stirling"
Mrs. Stirling had visit ,:from George
Hall, few days afterwards.
"Goodmorning, Mrs. Stirling, I called
to ask if you could tell me where 1 might
find your son. said George in his straight
forward way.
ERNEST is quite sick, George, but /
dare say he will be pleased to see you,
you are such stranger here now-and
when you and Ernest were boys-little
boys" she added smiling, "you were al
ways together, wish the old happy times
could be renewed" and she left him to see
if Ernest could receive him.
"You may come" she said few min
utcs after, but George thought her man.
ner was far less cordial than before.
What passed between Ernest and George
how Ernest accused and George ex-
planned and how, finally, Ernest in ad-
miration of his friends noble conduct,
begged his forgiveness for his unjust accu-
sations-we can all imagine.
Ruth received her two letters at about
the same time and though she had good
cry over each, yet there was as much joy
as sorrow in her tears. She was sitting
in her grandmother's parlor with her desk
and writing materials all round her. She
looked uncommonly pretty that morning,
in her white dress and little scarlet sacquc
round her, for tho day was quite cool.
She was engaged in answering that last
note from Ernest and as she sat there wri-
ting endearing words and clearing away
all his mistakes-her eyes filled with tears
as she thought of his being so i'll,
ri don't believe he will be we'll enough
to leave his mothers for ever so long-for
his writing is so faint and trembling I can
hardly make it out" just then the door
opened and George Hall entered
Ruth uttered cry of delight, and he
took both her hands in his.
my dear little sister, | have found him
and everything is right again but l
know you know where he is now, for he
told me of his letter to you. The poor
fellow is quite sick yet-though wonder
fully frightened up since he heard the
good news about you. BY the way have
a message from his mother to you; she
says you must go there Immediately and
pay her visit-then you can be with En-
nest, and | am invited too, and my pre-
cious little sister, will be brother to
both you and Ernest"
Ruth could not speak before-but bent
down and pressed her lips to lis hand, and
| think the pure kiss he left on her fore
head was one of which even Ernest you'd
not have been jealous.
In few days, Ruth babe goodbye to
her grandmother and uncle and happy
trio left for Mrs. Strings. Annie had
been included in the invitation, and she
cheered them all by her bright and lively
disposition.
Ruth, YOU are the coolest young wo-