The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-02-18


live fashionably in the metropolis, and
she taught herself to believe that the OPP
for the accomplishment OF her
wishes was near at hand.
At length the day so long anticipated
arrived, and Ella arrayed herself in
most elaborate costume to receive the
son of her fathers friend. Ruth had
gone out that afternoon to make call,
and preferred to walk rather than ride,
from a disinclination to be first to see
Mr.. Harris. But circumstances shape
our course, whether we like it or not,
and it 40 happened that Ruth drew near
the little station Just as the train came
in. There was only one road, and SO she
must trust to speed to get by the station
before the passengers came out; but Just
as she neared the door musical voice
said:
"RuthW
She paused in surprise, and looked
around, but no one was to be seen.
The next instant, however, fine-lOok-
ing young man came out, and, clasping
both her hands, said, warmly: :,
"Miss Stacey-Ruth-I am delighted
10 ma you mere! .
"It Is Mr.. Harris, suppose" said
Ruth, blushing crimson, and SO con-
fused that she knew not what to do.
eyes. Your folks are all well, /
trust" he replied, formally, and in a
voice entirely changed.
Ruth gained her self possession at
once, and answered him with easy po-
litencss.
The next moment fly came forward,
and Arthur Harris helped Ruth into the
vehicle, and took a seat by her side.
How did he know her SO quickly?
Why did he greet her so warmly?
These questions repeated themselves
in the maiden's mind until she sighed
with WEAKNESS and wonder; but she
dared not ask him to explain.
The drive home was dull, neither
speaking half dozen words.
"Give us your hand, my boy" said
John Stacey, ere Arthur had time to
alight. "Pm glad to see you. 1t seems
like going back twenty-five years to look
at you, for father sticks out at every
point!"
$50 Ruth came home with him."
thought Ella, as she peeped out of the
parlor window. "Pm glad of it though,
for he'll notice the contrast all the more.
/ am handsome, and it isn't vanity if l
do know it,"
A few minutes later Arthur was intro
duced to the pet, and she greeted him
with a charming shyness, and veiled her
eyes and blushed in the most captivating
manner. If artfulness, it was natural I;
she had never had any drawing from
practice.
The young man gazed upon her with
admiration; she felt his glance, and the
color decpened in her checks until she
was ten times more beautiful than ever.
Perhaps at that moment poor Ruth
did regret her plainness, If never before
but she drove the thought from her
mind, and, excusing herself, went to help
her mother get supper. And while she
worked she could hear Elias joyous laugh
mingling with the deep bass tones Of
their guest, and she wondered if he had
fallen in love with her beautiful sister
| already.
"Why, Ruth, what on earth ails you?
said Mrs. Stanley, in astonishment
"Here you've put two napkins on Ar
thurs plate"
Ruth Redeemed to her temples, bu
made no answer. A pair of brown eye
were haunting her, and she was sure tha
she had seen them before this day, bu
when or where she could not tell.
At length tea was ready, and Mr.
Harris sat beside Ella, who was in he
happiest mood, and used her silver.
voice and shining eyes with apparentl.
good effect, for the young man laughed
often al her witticisms and praised he
delicately. Ruth said but little, but tool
good care that the guest was supplied
with all the tempting viands.
"This preserve is delicious" said MI
Harris, bowling toward the hostes:
"Father has often spoken of your skill
in preparing these delicacics, Mrs. Sta
ruth made these; / had nothing
do with them" replied the mother. wit
pardonable fondness.
Arthur glanced quickly toward Rutf
and something in those liquid eyes of h
sent the blood to her cheeks, and the fat
mortified her so that she came very nes
: crying then and there.
! GLOW silly you are to reddcn up ever
/ time Arthur looks at you p said ELL
when they retired to their chambe
"You don't fancy that he is already
{ love with you, do your
. Ruth did cry then she could not he
, it for worlds-the covert allusion to n
G plainness cut her to the heart. For
moment Ella stood looking at her
I mingled wonder and vcxation; then b
8 better nature came to the surface, al
throwing her arms around her neck, 81
/ kissed Ruth's tear-stained face, al
s begged forgiveness.
Hfts all right, Ella, only you must !
s member that / have feeling, and tn
% Pm not to blame for being so ugly" al
then the salt drops flowed again
y streams.
" "I won't stay a moment where he
" dear: YOU shall have him all to yOurse
for i know you want him" said Ruth,
!, she kissed her sister goodnight.
a Days passed, and Ruth kept her VIC
- religiously, and Ella, with enthusias
, selfishness, called her the "best a
;. >. dearest girl in the world"
!. At times it seemed to John Stacey I'll
" Arthur was restless and i'll at case, but,
course, he could not ask him If such
., the case, and the young man, for reast
!, u of the same order, could not divulgc
cause.
er Every day they went somewhere,
N and Ella, and he was obliged to play
'd cavalier whether he liked it or not, a
Ella fancied that his attentions of m
or courtesy were infallible signs Of love.
IL last Arthur invaded the precincts of
kitchen, and determined to see Ruth :
a hear her talk little, but she repul
ST. his efforts at conversation 30 persisten
IT II that he imagined she did not want !
near her.
"a, "I shall have a proposal soon, des
ke said Ella, as she stood before the g
TN fondling her luxuriant hair, and smil
10 at the reflection of her red lips and (
tening teeth. "Arthur is very tent
nd and looks at me dozen times an hou
he il the words were on his lips, but he Z
not utter them. You'll come and sta
ar. long time with me when I live in