The Van Buren press., 1874-06-09

of boxes, whilst Mr.. Mclwan placed a
magnificent necklace Of pearls upon the
dressing case.
"There, said he, "is present from
your future husband.
Half stupeiied, Ruth attempted to re
monstrate.
"Don't speak" said her father ;
"marry Caleb Walker or leave my
house.
He turned on his heel as he spoke, and
Quilted his daughters presence
Overwhelmed with grief and despair
the unhappy girl could not maintain the
resolution she expected to command in
the moment of her need. Passivcly sub
hitting to the fate that had overtaken
her, she was docile under the hands OF
the waiting maids, who began to array
her for the bridal
During the performance OF the cere
mony she appeared more dead than
alive and it was only when Walker sa-
luted her as his bride, that she started as
if from a dream. They proceeded direct
from the church to the house OF the
bridegroom, where a splendid dinner
awaited them. Ruth desired TO be con
Quoted to her chamber, and locking her
self in. left Caleb Walker to entertain the
bridal party as best as he could. In VAN
did her step mother and sister solicit adj
mission. She refused to suffer them to
come into her presence Sudden indls-
position served as pretext for her leav-
ing the company, and her husband had
presence Of mind enough to put the best
face upon the matter.
When the guests had departed, Caleb
Walker ascended the stairs with slow
step and thoughtful mein, and tapped at
his wfe's door.
Let me in, f" he said, in low tone,
81 have something to say to you that
will not displease you
Ruth opened the door, but avertcd her
eyes Her husband OWNED what was
passing through her mind. Seating him
self near her, he spoke in the tone OF a
man whose soul is penetrated with sor'
row.
Do not make yourself unhappy, he
said. Hear me patiently If | tell you
that ] repent having married you, you
will not perhaps believe me; yet 1t is
true. / was made to believe by your
father and step-mother, that your ailec
tons were disengaged, and that you had
no aversion to me-that you would dis
pense with those attentions customary
| from lover TO his betrothed, but which
the difference of cur ages, and my con-
sciousness that nature had dealt hardly
with me, rendered me averse from offer.
| l,t Il ha
cruel deception your father has practiced
upon me. Still It's in my power to rem
der your fate less wretched than you an.
ticipate. Bear the name Of my wife, com
mand in my house, dispose Of me and my
fortune as you please. Before Heaven,
promise you soemnly to live with you
only as brother until you can receive
me as the husband of your choice
He ceased speaking and sat gazing at
her, awaiting her reply. The force of
truth is always irresistible, Ruth dried
her tears, and extended her hand to him.
:" | accept your offer, " she said, " and
thank you for your generosity; will try
and repay your kindness, You have n
daughter. that child shall be my care.
But from this hour | will see IVY fathers
face no more. forgive him the wrong
he has done me, but | can never willing
~ behold his face. AS to my step moth
er and her daughter, as your wife, for
bid their presence for an instant under
this roof
Your wishes shall be the law Of my
house" returned her husband; fear
not, you shall be implicitly ohcyed.
Good night, and without shaking hands
with her, or even looking at her, Caleb
Walker left his young wife alone, and
descended the stairs.
The following day she met kim with n
cheerful countenance; and few days
later his daughter, an interesting child
about four years old, was brought home.
Ruth was naturally n very anectionate
woman. Estrauged from her nearest
connections by the base deception they
had practieed upon her, she needed an
object upon which to lavish her tender
ness, and soon found it in little Ellie,
who became passionately fond Of her.
Time flew by, and Caleb Walker kept
kept his word strictly with his beautiful
wife. lie did more; he was incessant in
his cndcavors TO render her happy. Two
years passed away, with scarcely any
change in his domestic relations, except
perhaps that Ruth was more confidential
with him, and at times eyinced more ten
derness towards him than she had hither
to done. Eilic was hef darling and she
appeared to love the child with so strong
and passionate an attachment, that Mr..
Walker often maryelel at it.
One day. early in spring, c leb Walk
er informed Ruth that he had taken a
country house for the simmer This
was welcome news to Ruth, and she be-
gan to prepare for their removal, Three
weeks later. they were comfortably in
stalled in their country residence. 1t
was n moderately sized farm house, hav-
ing an abundance of shade trees and fruit
sure undlng it. and Ruth began to busy
herself among the plants and flowers as
soon as the weather permitted. The
place was near enough to the city to al
low Caleb Walker to make daily visits
thereto, if he had occasion TO do so.
1t was in the month OF July. the wealth
er was intensely warm when one morn
ing Caleb Walker set ont for the city. to
be absent all day. Late in the afternoon
Ruth took Efre by the hand and wander
ed into the adjacent wood to seek for