The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-05-23

are engaged"
Ruth looked up very calmly, but am
not sure that she saw anything.
"One doesn't like to be labelled taken
at q watering place." laughed the lady.
And Ruth laughed little, too, and
there was little more talk, and then
Miss Van De usen went back to her lover
Ruth sat STILL and sorted bright woods,
and made pretty picture in the after
noon sunlight. And Paul watched her
and thought:
"She doesn't care much, after ALL"
Ruth went to tea that night, and,
though she did not eat much, that was
only the fault of the late dinner.
81 shall be glad to get back to our sim
pie country ways again"
Miss Crowninshield smiled with scorn
full look.
ruth, don't you go to telling lies"
Lilies What are you looking at, aunt ~
The old lady took down her glass.
I" It as Jack Bedford What is he here
for?
"Who is Jack Bedford. and why should
he not come here ?"
Gle is nobody whom you'll care for"
said Miss Crowninshieid, quite unaware
Of the sore heart beside her. Jack Is
my lawyers clerk He will be taken into
the 1irm some day, but at present he just
supports himself. All, he sees me p
The old lady nodded and smiled bright
ly, and when, as they went back to the
drawing room, Mr.. Bedford joined them,
it was easy to see that he was q prime ia
vorite.
"W hat brought you to this Vanity Fair !?
I thought yot were more sensible. Came
to see the world? SO did Ruth This is
my niece, Mr.. Bedford. She came to see
the world, also. She will tell you how
she likes it."
Looking at Ruth, then. for the first
time, something in her eyes touched her
amt. Her voice softsned, and presently
she sent her away to her room.
Late that night as Ruth was lying wide
awake, and God knew how wretched,
Miss CrownnshieId came in.
"Is this true, my dear, that hear down
stairs about P sul Anthony's engagement ?"
"Quite true, aunt. Miss Van Deusen
told me about it herself"
Miss Crown;nshield sat down on the
foot Of the bed.
"That young nan has made the great
est mistake of his life, y she said, solemnly.
ooh, no, aunt Miss Van Deusen ia
And here the voice faltered, the strong
heart gave way, and Ruth sobbed out her
sorrow i'll her aunt's arms
Miss Crowninshield was wonderfully
kind and considerate. She never even
told the girl that one day she would be
cured of this sorrow that seemed now un-
endusable. Where would have been the
use? But she planned walks, and drives,
and sails, and Jack Bedford was always
of the party This was, Of course, pure
benevolencc on Miss CrownInshield's part
People began to say that the old lady was
tempted to do little match making, and
that it was shame to inveigle poor
lawyer, like Jack Bedford, into marri-
age with penniless girl.
Fortunately, the parties criticised were
not aware of the criticism. Ruth was try
ing with all her might to keep up. Her
Woman's pride was fighting mighty
battle with her woman's love.
She was not quite a wall-fower now
II s~ao found tl.--s ~IAe ooutU say plquant
things. By and by, they were sometimes
q little bitter. Poor girl she was DRIFT
ing along very much in the dark, very
much at the mercy Of her own unduly sen
sitive temperament. Perhaps, in these
troubled days, she was over kind to Jack
Bedford-loye was so far from her heart
and Jacks genuine manliness was such
a foil To the vapidity about her.
He found her one day On the rock,
where she had been surrounded oy lit
tie court of admirers. One by one they
had dropped off.
81 have been watching till audience
should be possible he said playfully,"
"L0 Reane est na0rt6, 0i0S la Refine !"
Her voice had sharp infection, and
she pointed to Miss Van Deusen, around
whom the idlers were gathering.
Jack looked at her curiously, and she
colored under his eyes.
. "What is it, Mr. Bedford?"
81 was wondering whether this vein of
bitterness shall call it 81 beg your
pardon was merely fashion of speech,
or the outcome of sad experience"
She changed countenance so instantly,
so painfully, that he went to her side at
once.
"Forgive me! l would not hurt you
for the world. What have 1 done ?"
She was struggling for composure, and
rose, eager to leave him.
"Pray-pray don't go yet =? Have I Of
Tended you? Pity nae, Ruth, if have,
because [ love you !"
"Love me !"
Never, fancy, was loves plea SO
strangely received, She looked at him,
cold and incredulous,
"Is there anything strange in that any
thing Grange that in these three weeks
| have found out that You are the woman
in the world whom I can love ?"