The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1872-06-01
WAITING AND WATCHING.


Ruth Halliday stood by the little garden
gate, looking eagerly up thestreet 1t was
just the hour Of the cleaning. The sky
was family tinted with the fading sunset
and the stars were beginning to peer
through the clear blue above And in tie
West, just near the eige Of crimson
cloud, hung the new moon in the sky, and
near it hovered a little star.
But Ruth was not watching the skies,
with their ever changing beauty. All her
heart mas bent ON listning for the ap.
proach Of we known footsteps; on watch
ing Tor the coming OF one who was dearer
TO her than all the world beside.
\ pretty picture Ruth made as she stood
there in the deepening twilight, dressed in
4 simple robe OF white muslin with knot
Of blue ribbon at her throat, and another OF
the same color in her hair. Her soft
brown resses were brushed lightly back
from the brow and fluttered in the wind.
which seemed to forsake the leaves and
flowers on purpose to caress them.
The sunset faded from the sky; the stars
came ont brighter and brighter, to glitter
on the brow Of night; falling dew drop.
descending like a benediction from heaven.
gliitered in Ruth's brown tresses. but still
lac for whom she waited came not.
At last she heard the familiar foot-step,
and her heart iuttered into recognition
long before she was able to discern the
expected one through the growing dark
ness Nearer and nearer came the foot
steps, and soon Ruth hand was clasped
in that Of her lover Then the lovers walk
ed arm in arm mp to the wide porch, where
they fingered instead of entering the house.
The perfect beauty OF the night was too
much in harmony with their hearts for
them 30 relinquish it for the glittering
lights ofthe drawing room
And besides, there was much 10 be said
that night precious words though few:
words which were better uttered beneath
The quiet stars than under the flarinr
chandelier
This night was the last which they might
spend together perhaps for years Upon
the morrow Albert Britain was to leave
home to seek his fortunes in strange
land. An unexpected opening had offer.
eel itself to him in a commercial house at
Para, and he was now about 10 avail him
self oft
BE sure Ruth that will come back for
YOU some day-be that day ever 30 distant
aud he our cruel parting ever so long" he
said as they sat there, 20 hopeful and con.
udenI Of the future
-h'l' wa " eANN lpl YOU AlhtFt, lLl-
tered Ruth through her falling tears
"God bless you Tor that, my darling
Were 10 not fnr vour cruel fathers man.
date this parting need not to have been.
with darkened brow But am Young
- know that ] have energy aud talent
and with the thoughtof you, Ruth. to in.
spire. ] will yet win a name and position
which yOu, nay own, will not be ashamed
Of"
And Albert- lark eve flashed with en-.
thus'asm as he spoke these words.
perhaps my father will relent and then
you will return, Alhert2' said Ruth.
80. Ruth, he has -purned me because !
am poor Zoe would never consent 10 be-
-iow Your hand upon one who had not
wealth and position. ! will not return an.
Oh can offer Won both"
'AIay heaven help You. Albert. and com.
tort me. said Ruth. hiding her face IN her
hands Co conceal her tears Then followed
asi.ence full of anguish % both None
know. except those who have experienced
70. doe bitter grief OF Young hearts when
separated. Aud when the last moment
h1i come. and Albert hal torn himself
away Huth- sorrow was so excessive. so
devoid of alI hope, shat it seemed 10 her
prophetic of % final parting
Huch % blank Ie-oiate feeding seized her
heart when Albert had uttered his las,
FAREWELL 10 BE- so hard 20 feel that day.
and months. nay. even wears will pass hy.
and the one precious treasure be wanting H.
our Hye---the one void be untitled. the ono
dear presence lacking
The next morning dawned clear and
beautiful and the Gun was shining BRIGHT.
ly - ben Ruth aw0ks from her troublcl
sleep The robins were twitter1Hr their
love songs zoo fhe OBJ apple-tree near her
wirdo" sud everything seemed happy aud
rejoicing 10 the glad young spring Eve
rythug save kaih and upon her Tie ahad
ow rested too heavily ior her TO rejoice AZ
anything
squire Halliday was ANNOYED and angry
with his daughter Tor The pale face and id
les way aher Alberfs departure Blu,
day los day be said to himself that time
would cure Ruth of all this nonsense and
that she would be just a. happy lust A.
much the JOY and life OF the house AS she
hal always ioon. For 10 truth his daugh.
Ger was The one sunbeam that gladeued ths
old mans heart
Ruth Wa an only chill. anil her mother
had been dead many years And 20 Ruth