Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1874-06-04
Then take him, said Ruth. /

eAUn W an ocoluSc, IL SStti,
! everything is settled in your case; even
you wedding wardrobe is purchased. y
Ruth took her step-sister by the hand.
sfis = this true z she asked soIemnly. az =
tIt is true 7 replied the other.
MIR. MnIlwain. was ahsents IN The enaIn.
try. Ruth, therefore, went to her step
mother. who listened to hersupplications
wish q countenance rs immovable as
stone. SIS 6.s3 t.
I am surprised at this nonsense" she
cried. I expected to find you a reasona-
bic girl, Are you going mad Do your
really know what You are refusing ? This
is gpreposterous. There Is scarcely a.
yoang lady iii the country who would.
refuge Mr.: Walker. What are your OBJ
jectiolis to him, pray ~ s
81 don't love him, sobbed Ruth.
Well, who said you did?' cried her
.tepmother. But Iyon can do SO; you will
have plenty of time, and he is kind man
andaswill teach you to do 81"
"a will be committing . sin if marry,
him. | won't marry a man that / scarcely
know and do not love- said Ruth.
you may alter your opinion, replied
Mr.. McIiwain. 1T is to your fathery you,
must say that.
viii yon not appeal to him for me r.
sobbed Ruth.
NO, replied h-r step-mother sternly,,
as she went out of the room.
Several day elapsed without Ruth see.
ing either her father orMr. Walker
when one bright morning, as she was re-
clining upon her bed, her father entered
the chamber, and commanded her to
prepare herself instantly to marry Caleb
Walker.
All Is prepared he said harshly; get
up iiln1;sttantl 2; and dress yoursely. Let me
hear no m urniiil.ss 10
Atsthat moment couple of servants
entered the apartment bearing number
of boxes, whilst Mr. McIlwain placed
magnificent necklack of pearls upon the
dressing case.
There said lie, is present from your
future husband
Half stupifed, Ruth attempted to re-
inonstrate.
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 dispair,
the unhappy girl could not maintain the
resolution she expected TO command in
the moment of her need. Positively sub.
niitting to the fate that had overtalen her
she was docile under the nands of the
waiting maids, who began to array her
for the bridal. s's
During the performance of tho cere-
mony she appeared more dead than alive,
and it was only when Walker saluted her
as his bride, that she started rs if from q
dream. They proceeded direct from the
church to the house of the bridegroom,
where n splendid dinner awaited them.F
Ruth desired to be conducted to her
chamber, and locking herself in, left
Coleb Walker to entertain the bridal
party us best os he could. In vain did
her step-mother and sister solicit admis-
sion. She refused to suffer them to come
into her presence. Sudden indisposition
served as pretext for he leaving the
company, aud her husband had presence
of mind enough to putthe best face upon
the matter.
When the guest had departed, Caleb
Walker assembled the stairs with a slow
step an1 thoughtful mein, and tapped at
his wifes door.
Let me in he said, in low tone. Il
have something to say to you that will not
displease you
Ruth opened the door, but averted her
eyes. Her husband divined 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.
sow.
DO not make yourself unhappy he
said. Hear me patiently. III tell you
hot /. 4 IL q