Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-06-23

formed Ruth that he had taken country hou,s
lor the Summer. This was welcome news to
knth, and she began to prepare for their remoy-
al. Three weeks later they were comfortably
Installed in their country residence II was a
moderately sized farm house, having an abund-
ance OF shade trees and fruit surrounding ii, and
Rnth began to busy herself among the plants and
flowers as soon as the weather permitted. The
place was near enough to the city to allow Caleb
Walker to make daily visits thereto, ii be had
occasion to do 80.
Ii was in the month of July, the weather vas
intensely warm, when one morning Caleb Walk
er set out for the city, to be absent for the dav
Late in the afternoon Ruth took Etie BY the
hand ana wandered into the adjacent wood 10
seek for some roots she desired So intent was
she upon the object of her search, that she did
not observe the heavens growing overcast until
the storm was nearly upon them. Thea it was
that she, catching the child by the hand, bur-
fied onward, hopog to resch the house before
the rain fell.
She was yet half mile distant when the
storm bust upon them in all its fury, and the
ram, descending in torrents, dreuched her and
the child to to the skin. She had passed beyond
all shelter and could find no place nearer than
her home where she could gain refuge. /.
therefore baclme a matter of sheer necessity 10
go forward. When she arrived at her house. a,
might have been expected, she was in a very ex-
hausted condition; bat Eff, did not seem mach
the worse Of the accident save her wet clothing
The first thing Mrs. Walker did was to attend
TO the child and it was not until her step-daugh-
ter had her clothing changed, that Ruth pulled
off her own drenched garments.
The following morning Ruth WAS so i'll that
she could not leave her bed, and her husband
Immediately summoned a physician. Two or
opI D,tbl = L.l
with typhoid fever
Days and nights Caleb Walker sat by the bed
side OF his wife, who lay unconscious hsr mind
wandering and raging fever rlcking her frame.
lie would not be satisfied with the attention OF
her nurses, but watched every movement she
made For long time It was doubtful whether
she would recover, But at last the disease took
a favorable turn, aud she gradually began to
mend. But what wreck she presented when
cont'asted with her former self Her irst inqui-
| rcs were Tor Ellie, and when the child was taken
TO her she hugred her pas ionately to her emaci-
| lted form.
| Daring the progress ot her recovery, she was
one day lying on a cou,h b beside her husband, who
had been reading 10 amuse her, Elite was seated
near and pI lttling great deal. Mr.. Walker laid
down hi9 book and gA-ei at his wife. Etfs he
gan 10 talk again.
| Mamma, she sad, you love me very much,
| don't you.
Certainly do, replied Ruth, "why do you
| ask me-
| - don't know, answered the child, except
that 1t makes Inc very happy 10 know that you
| love me So dearly"
Ruth pressed the lutte child still nearer to her
heart.
| y "a love me brttrI than any in the world
continued tue child
Ruth did not reply, but tue eolsr faded and
came 10 her cheeks -he looked lnIulringly into
the chiid's face
II It not so, mn ANNA >" continued Ellie. "Y OF
love me better than you do papa, dout yon'
| Aud she took her stepmuthers hand and looked
into her eyes.
CAeh Walker slt by breathless and motion
less.
Ruth hesitated Tor a moment only and then
answered IN low but distinct lone
No, Ellie. do uot"
The next instant Caleb was on his knees besi d.
his wife.
"My own, my darling" he exclaimed, "nox
ieel that you are ulne own Indeed +" aud he isr-
vently kissed her pale brow.
Aud so, IN truth, she was HIS ceaseless ten
deiness aud unwearlrd attention had won he
he ant unknown even to herself