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

but Albert neither came nor wrote, aud
Ruth grew weary OF strange scenes and
foreign lands, aud yesrned to be at home
once more II seemed as though the des-
olation OF that home reproached her.
The long-deserted. silent home, the ne
elected garden, where the flowers missed
her loving care, and struggled to bloom
amid wilderness Of weeds. the robins
who, year after year, had built their httle
nest IN the tree which overhnng her win
dow, from which she was wont TO feed
them every day-Ruth flncied that all
these, which she had once loved and cared
for missed her presence now.
1ss, Ruth longed 20 see her home again.
and Squire Halliday himself sadly missed
his home comforts amid the drearincss OF
foreign hotels, and so he yielded TO Ruths
pleadings, and they crossed the seas once
more.
But few months had elapsed after their
return and the old homestead had resumed
ITS cheerful, home-like aspect, when-the
squire was taken suddenly IN and died
Then, indeed, was Ruth LETT utterly alone
in the world. She had friends-she had
wealth, but there was no especial Que to
care for her, no one for her TO love above
all others
There was void in the household which
could never be tlled-ior both father and
mother had gone from her to return no
more.
And Albert Ruth felt that she was
doubly begeave,l for the love of her youth
had a lso passed away from her life, IT
seemed to her forever.
One day, as Ruth was striving to rid
herself OF melancholy by some emplov-
ment and was arranging the papers in her
fathers cscritOire, she suddenly started and
turned pale rs she came across a little
crimpled note addressed to herself
How well she knew that handwriting.
and how long since she had gazed upon ii!
She sank into the chair, and her face grew
white as she unlolded and read.
DEAR Rrru-Dear to me soill, although vour
cruel message has pierced my heart. IL YOU
can be happy with another, then there Is moth
ing which l could, or would say. to urge my
claim upon your love. The batteries of a false
life, the brilliancy Of an exalted position, have
tempted you away.
As for me-all hope, all ambition IL dcadi
lived-I toilcd but for you; but now that Won
have proved false, the incentive is gone-and
so-iarewell ALBERT.
And so this letter, two years after il was
And Albert had been true to her-she had
never doubted that-but he had doubted
herl And why2
1t was long before Ruth could solve the
mystery which hung around that little
note--loug before she Guessed at the real
truth. But finding the letter in her IA
TIERS escritoire, and knowing how bitterly
he had opposed her attachment for Albert
a lua 4 Il l.. 81. 1
father had cruelty deceived her; that Al
bert had written, and that he had inter.
cepted her letter
But despite the sharpness OF her grief.
as she thought Of that father, lying 80 cold
and pallid beneath the sod, she had nc
word of reproach for him.
But where was Albert now? Was he
living or dead? Or, believing Ruth to be
the wife OF another, was he too welded
and thus forever dead to herr
That very night Ruth sent letter Ia
Albert's address-scarcey daring to hone
that it would ever reach him.
How could she know what time and
change had brought to her absent ,ver?
Sending that letter seemed TO Ruth like
sending forth the dove to find the green
bough upon the green waste.
Still Ruth was full OF a strong faith that
all would yet he well She had sort OF
underlined belief in her destiny, that it wa.
not always 80 dreary and sad, and so she
waited.
They were weary days Of waiting. mll
Of suspense. Would Albert come to her
or would he write? Or-dreaded thought
would her letter fail 10 reach him at ALI
lie came. 1t was one mild October al
teruoon, and Ruth sat upon the old porch
sdmiriEg a handful Of gorgeous Autumn
leaves which she had gathered
The trees were all aglow with gold
and crimson, and there was soft haze
beneath the sky, through which the Gun
filtered downward its golden light
Ruth listened to the signing Of tie leave.
rs they floated to the ground; she heard
the p.aintiye twitt.ring OF the birds "a.
they plumei their wings for fight And
she asked herself il her Summer. too. had
fled 10 all that was bright and beautiful
bad gone from her lie forever
And just then, down the garden walk. a
! quick ioOtsiep came, aud Ruth's question
ings were all answered.
Hastily looking up she saw Albert Brit
tan standing before her And there in
the golden light Of that Autumn dav
those long parted, faithful lovers once NOR,
clasped hands
And the weary years Of waiting wer,
ended
a Mas CARRIES llis SKULL ~ HIS PorK
. DIT sumo mont Ha ago "a frur. mound D. a..,..