Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-18

and 1T was a selfish thing toask il at such a
time. If mamma had know; but I-but
kbe-you must try TO parcon u.s.
"Clara!" Bob could say no more.
She W Mt On hurriedly.
"Let me have il as is. I will not like il
less because the artist was too happy TO
fDlsh IT. twill remind me of your hsppi-
ness and Rufh's-Cear Ruth, whom / love
oeafly, and who loves me-"
"Clara!-Bob's voice came hoarse and short
you are worthy OF each other, and OF
neither: Do what will, must be false, dis
10y al cannot even give YOU that blotted
canvas, because'-here the mans voice
cause IL is a confession and a prayer!s
he was gone-l heard his footsteps in the
ball But would not look Ct Ruth my own
pulse quivered, ard moved away.
Ruth and Clara were thrown much together
at this period, and very coriial, sincere at
tachnent appeared 10 bind those young la
dies IL had been decreed In secret cOnclave
that Miss Tyrrell should he ole 81 the brides
maiGs-MiSs Nellie of course being the other
and urging forward with the utmost zeal and
excitement the necessary preparations for
ths Medcil &. That event was .O.v at hand
and Robin bore himself quietly al q thong
luLy, as became man v0wei to Erave re-
spCbslDllltleS, and evinceI little OF that pei
niabceand restlessness TEich had remarked
at an early stage.
1t may have been day or two before the
ceremony that Bob was rowing about the
orchard, when Ruth came out 10 him. and
lad her hand sbyly on his arm.
what rs IL. Cear?' he said gently. for the
CIR chetk was flushing, and her eyes did
"JheTe Is something" Ruth whispered.
something, Bob, that OCsb: to ue said You
ART different now. dear from what Won we're
when we lied each other FIST Scme-hi
greater AID higher, / know well. While ], ;"
she went on sadly. cam iust tie samoa
farmers child, TT Ouly FOR lie farm. 1 can
not talk To you and hope aCC feel with you as
Others do
Dear RUth!"he said, and bis eyes were
wet with generous tears. s.what coulI put
n
me harpy, dearest. None knows you bat is
happier ard better"
Thank you for saying that" she said
SIMPLY, and looked up once into his face.
you have los al heart, dear. / Judged il
rightly. Perhaps / may be worthier OF you
IMAM said, and'-here her voice again sunk
10 WhiSper-"l will try 10 prove IT."
All asst IL came, the weddiug-day. We were
assembled in the big paTlor-Aunt Tyrrell,
me squire and I--joined presently by the
TWO bridesmaids; Miss Nellie radiant and
eager, CARA colorless as a white rose. Bob
followed In gTande tenue, and our little cor
Iege was ready TO set ont for the village
ehnrch, whose bell was ringing a merry
Where's Ruth?" cried Nellie. "Ah. there
she Isl" And Ruth came in. robed i'm white
as became bride; with her we,Iding-veil
too, but that she carried on her arm. rhere
was dew, think, in her kind ewes. but her
lips were parted in smile.
Were you waiting for the bride?'' she
A screen stood in the corner of the room.
and she moved toward it, holding Clara's
hand.
Move the screen, dear Bob" Ruth said;
81 want TO show you something"
HE pushed it aside, and saw the mutilated
portrait
'You can finish that, said Ruth softly. "if
The lady sits TO you all her life.' And she
put Clara's hard in his.
OI course, the wedding, ladies, did not take
pace That very day; but. although Aunt
Ty1rell's bewilderment and perpleXity were
extreme, she was not long ob1urate. being
naturally of romantic turn, and recalling
sundry episodes of her youth. Besides, she
could not but acknowledge Ruth's authority
In the premises, and consented at the end of
n week I bat her will should be made law
Possibly, had my advice been solicited, I
should nave counssled q still longer post
ponement remembering a certain banker in
New York who light be deemed to have an
interest in the matter. But the stole army
OF husbands holds nOveteran more thorough
~ disciplined, and doubt not my excellent
uncle received such dispatches from his COM
manding officer as well-nigh reconciled him
TO the catastrophe.
can vouch that the wedding breakfast
Tor that feature of the ceremony was not
omltted-was, in all respects, a delightful
pair may have been thought less beaming
and irrepressible than we are wont to see ii
on such occasions. Squire Allen was the
life of the banquet; indeed, he could scarcely
nave shown more elatiOn had the wedding
been his own. There was another person in
The company who might have liked a place
beside the gentle hostess, bnt, as the Squire
sat on Ruth's right hand, Miss Nell and / al
verted one another.