Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-10-01
Selected Mlistellann.
EVEN THEN.

Ruth Ransom turned at those words,
and saw man, meanly clad, holding
toward her that article, which she had
been thoughtful enough to take with
her on her drive, but not careful enough
to take care of, or else it would not have
fallen out.
"Thank you" said Ruth. and as she
spoke the words, as though to some finely
dressed gentleman, she noticed face
marked by dissipation, but still endowed
with much manly beauty, and and pair
of wonderfully handsome eyes, despite
their bloodshot look
"Who was that, Bell ?" she asked, as
Bell Freeman stopped the horse in front
of store.
"Who! That man ?" questioned Bell.
"Why, nobody but that drunken loafer
of Ned Williams. Why did you ask ?"
"OhP' replied Ruth, "be had such
handsome eyes; and then, despite his
shabbiness, he has evidently been educat-
ed as a gentleman, for his manners be-
spoke it."
'.Pshaw Ruth, you to come here from
the city, and because of pair of hand
some eyes take interest enough in their
owner, shiftless vagabond, to ask what
he may be. But come, do get out of the
ph@ton and help me to select those rib
bons. You know depend so much on
your TASTE" said Bell, as she stepped
upon the pavement.
''No, Bell, I'll not get out. AS 70,
those ribbons, select them according tc
your own taste, for it is as good as mine
But before you go in, let us finish ou
conversation before we drop 1t. Now
| would stake my life if needs be OF
that mans integrity, if he would bu
step forth again as man Don't thinl
me foolish" pleaded Ruth, as she saw I
smile of derision on her cousins hand
some face, Il can't help forming opin
ions, can 7"
ooh | suppose not" indulgently re
piled Bell "but you had better have
taken a more promising subject than
Ned :" and away went Bell to select the
ribbons, while Ruth leaned back anc
wondered why such curse as rum should
thus trample down mankind-God's no
blest work
But of Ned Williams, Ruth's simple
tbank you" had caused him to look into
her face.
"a face not to be celebrated for its
beauty, but more for its goodness" he
had thought, and then scarcely knowing
what he did, he had stepped back on the
sidewalk and followed on down to where
they had stopped also, and quite close
enough to hear each word.
'1f he would step forth again as mar
"a man What does she think mt
brute If SO, would that thought be fal
wrong? Have | been man il the pas
two years? Ny God. no! and not t.
have realized it until now But fol-
those words it might have been too late
and then"
All! how few ever realize the words
"too late or ever the question, "ant
thenY"
81 say, Bell, | am not at all fatigued
and as your father has lecture tickets
let US 60 tonight. 1t has been owe
three years since visited your littlt
town / should like to see some of its i'm
provements, even by gas light. A Mr.
Williams, believe, your father said
was the name of the lecturer, and TEN.
perance is his subject. You know tina
it is greatly agitating the public. Oh
that it might be as an earthquake SHOCK
and work wonders" spoke none Other
than Ruth Ransom of other days.
Yes, the same Ruth at heart. though
now not the possibly pretty girl of those
days. Oh, no, her beauty of soul had
idealized the face and form. She might
have been queen in society, had she
chose but think it would have beer
as one pure diamond among much worth
less imitation.
And Bell, what of her? Almost the
same. though superbly beautiful to one
at first sight, they would have seen at a
second glance that an idle, aimless life
was leaving defacing marks on that
beauty.
The hall was crowded that night, but
Mr.. Freeman, Bell and Ruth, had man
aged TO secure good seat. Soon the
speaker came forward.
ooh, Ruth, what grandly handsome
man he is ?" whispered Bell.
Ruth nodded her head but said moth
ing. After the 6rst glance around the
room the strangers gaze seem to linger