Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-11-09
RUTH.

hair OF that soft tint, brown in the shade, an
golden In the sun you would have loved ht
had you seen her; there was in her manns
that cllnglng, confding air which endeared he
to all hearts, and made her sole empress
one. When she raised those soft, blue eyes
from whose depths the pure soul looked forth
pang would rend your heart to think that S
fair creature should some day know the bite
word sorrow She was standing at the garde
gate watching him to whom she had given he
first love, as he strolled down the lane and int
the meadow. They had parted, perhaps for
ever; he to go into the busy world and carv
his own fortune she, to remain in her nativ
village, until such time as he would return ant
claim the reward so ardently wished for Dear
gentle Ruth, whose whole life was a noble sac
rlfice; an invalid mother claimed all her care
else she would have left home, friends, every
thing and gone with Paul Seaton on his jour
ney through life.
| Here was a beautiful home in pleasant lit
tie village, sklrted 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 bloomed
along the garden walks, apd in the air of cheer
| fulness that regned throughout the whole
house. There were dainty white curtains at
the paror windows, drawn back with plain rib
| ons vases of flowers on the high mantel, and
| an open piano with keys still vibrating at the
remembrance of the fair fingers that had late
ly touched them. Ruth would futter 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 sadness in ev-
cry gesture. Her head dropped upon her bo-
som, her eyes were suffased with tears, and her
hands trembled as she performed the accus-
toned nightly Offices for the mother whom she
SO much loved.
Time passed ON, and change came over
Ruth, and her quiet home; her mother de-
parted to the land of shadows, leaving the
young girl to the care of an uncle then resi-
ding in a distant city. With heavy heart
Ruth took her last look of her childhood s
home, and departed to meet the strangers with
whom her future lot was cast. Her uncle was
cold, retlcent man, and the kiss he laid upon
the forehead OF his niece sent 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 close, and the
carriage drove up to handsome brown house,
Ruth leaned out to catch glimpse Of her fu-
ture home. A very fashionable brown stone
'front.' it was, with a broad flight of marble
steps leading up to the massive door, where
stood a footman waiting to receive them.
Ruth was ushered into the parlor, and seated
upon a sofa everything betokening wealth and
fashion, and a sense Of loneliness crept upon
the orphans heart as she recalled her cottage
home In the beautiful country. She was saved
a gush Of tears by the timely entrance of three
ladies-her aunt and two cousins They pressed
the tips of her fingers, touched their lips to
her forehead, and sat down, eyeing her with
curiosity, strongly mingled with wonder. They
had expected to see an overgrown school girl,
fresh from romp in the woods, and here vas
delicate, lady-llke young woman, whose face
was one OF more than ordinary beauty. They
asked Ruth many questions concerning her
mother death, which she endeavored to an
swer without showing her emotion, but the
tears would come in spite of herself, for which
she received from her fashionable cousins
broad stare, and an inexpressible look of
mingled contempt and pity. At last she was
conducted to her own room, and left to weep ln
silence. She threw herself upon the bed, and
sobbed as If her heart would break.
mot friend In the world have [" she
moaned and the thought made the pain in
her bosom deeper. Then the image of Paul
Seaton rose before her. Three years had passed
since they parted, and she had received only a
few letters from him. Not a single doubt of
his faithfulness entered her mind but she
thought Of him as sick, dying, and dead. No
one near to bathe his throbbing temples or press
his fevered hand. Day and night she thought
of this, until she believed the angel had come
and released the imprisoned soul. Then there
was the lonely grave IN a strange land, where
no one ever came to shed the heartfelt tear or
lay flowers at his tired feet
Poor Ruth she needed comfort, and there
was no one to give it. This was her daily life !;
living in the same house with human creatures,
who possessed hearts as we'll as she did, yet
never receiving a look, Word token of SYM
pathy.
The,e was no congeniality between them for
her aunt and cousins lived only for the triumphs
Of fashion; SO in the thronged world, she was
lonely and homcsick. Did she but know of
the happiness that was awaiting for her down
the road; of the true and loyal heart which,
thI ough poverty, sickness and sorrow, turned
to her as the load star Of its existence did she
but know how one would give the whole world
for look into her fresh young face and a
glance of her mild blue eye her heart would
have been light indeed, and her step as free as
in the old, happy days. But we are not to
dear eyes dies out, the clasp of that gentle
hand grows loose, and the grave closes over
the young form, and the love that somebody
had given it.
But with Ruth it was not thus. Her love
had come to her years before. God had taken
it away, but only for awhile, it was to be re-
stored to her brighter than before. The days
and the weeks slipped by, and Ruth walked her
daily path with more contented heart. She
knew there was one kind friend whose care
would never fail her; and In her hours of trial
aud loneliness her thoughts would turn to Him,
the great Father Of all
The rain was falling heavily, and man and
beast Sought shelter from its fury. All gaiety
was checked, and the fashionable young ladies
pouted in curl-papers and flowing wrappers
"What disagreeable day. thought they, as
| the time was passed in lounging on sofas with
| the latest sensational novel; 'sWhat treat ]
| shall have, - murmured Ruth to herself, as she
was seated in her own little room, busy with
some needle work The day wore on, and the
rain fell slowly still, when the house was thrown
| into the utmost confusion by the ringing Of the
door-bell and the announcement of "a gentle
man for Miss Ruth" Such thing had never
happened before. The quiet, unobtrusive Rutf
having gentleman to call and see her! How
they wondered at the prolonged absence Of the
young GIRL and guessed over and over who i
was, without being convinced which was the
| right guess.
But Ruth, gentle Ruth, there she stands
heart to heart with Paul Seaton, the absen
friend Never more will she be home-sick O.
weary; never again will she be wounded b.
cold word, or still colder looks. Oh, beautiful
| love- whose trust and faith commences in tn
blossom of life, and endures forever and ever
At the sound of his voice, at the pressure o
his hand, the grim shadow vanished from he
life, and she stood revealed, the beautiful, trust
ing Ruth of happier days.
| Far awav in the distance down the folsom