Ellsworth American., 1876-11-02
Vol. XXI. Whole No. 1885, No. a.


| the pleasant day, and yielding anew to TIL
sweet sorcery Of an emotional nature
which had Quickened and compelled hi
own? Or did ne check those thought
sternly and recognized with sad sincerity
that such companionship was MOTTO him
Must his days then know no storm. no tor
lid sunshine but be always cool and sob
er and calm? Could he call 1t living. tn
pale spritless existence which stretche,
before him and Ruth Poor Ruth No up
right, noble Ruth-who was he to pit,
that true heart? Had he forgotte what he
life had been-the patient, cheerful self
surrender. the long, meek sacrifice t.
duty; and was the fault hers II her eyes
txeG on that mild star, had missed tn
hectic splendors of the westp Was he no
man enough to love her for what she wa
and mock and stine the mad thirst fol
sympathy That holy, mystic charm Of
sympathy, truly potent spell in Pari'
saloons; but such simple words as graft
tude and honor may out conjure il amid
Yankee hills.
On the day following our drive to tn,
Notch-it was just week, as | remember
before Bob's wedding-Clara and stroll
led over TO the farm, and Miss Nellie
strumming the piano and Ruth busted
about many things.
Where is Robin Z" inquired.
Nobody knows" said Nellie, laughing
"He WAS prowling up and down his den
all night, aud this morning he went out
at day break"
In that case" l suggested, suppose
we avail ourselves OF the priests absence
and Invade the sanctuary. There are
many tricks aud deyices familiar to the
painters art which shall be happy to e1-
pose. Likewise, the business of an un-
finished picture seem to require Investi-
CATION
There is no doubt that Clara looked in-
quisitive, and Ruth ut once volunteered
to show the way.
You would never know my trim store
room, said Ruth, as she let US into the atel-
ier and indeed it was 3 chaoes Of disorder
"Bob's easel was near the window.
Nellie ran TO it gave cry.
Look ! she said, and stared in stupor at
the canvas.
We looked. Ny cousins figure was
still there. but some studious stroke Of the
brush had totally raised her features.
'Hullo." l cried, whats the mean
ing of this:'
Clara's face was very pale. She did not
speak.
1t means, said Ruth. with a quiyering
lip, 1T means we had no right to come
here And she led us silently from the
room,
do not claim to possess the fine intui-
ons of some gifted natures, Ibut confess
that Master Rob's performance provoked
sundry reflections. which | Was shrewd
enough 10 keep TO myself, and think it
regretable that another member of the
ways OF men. failed to exhibit an equal
discretion. had strolled into the gar
den, having observed that the ladies were
drifting toward feminine topics. and was
rumiuating over a cigar, when Miss Nellie,
equipped with basket. intent on black
berries. came runuing out low with mis-
chief aud hlirity.
Such fun. she explained between peals
OF laughter. We We're in the parlor just
,...,- i'Eara and go she .n"i,i".r
"aliL-"hcn Bob came in. glum a. =
linn about spelling that lovely picture and
said he Just wanted an excuse to putter
over it aud then he grew white, and Clara
was in in tutter. 80 | lett him to defend
himself Won't she scold him. though
and the picture OF Bob's predicament
afforded her infinite delight.
was not quite heartless enough to be
carried away by the damsel's merriment.
and opinion that the presence OF a third
peson might be grateful under the crcum.
stances set forth To break the tete-d ttte.
But a yeranda skirted that side of the
house, and a window of the keeping room,
which adjoined the parlor. standing OPEN
| glanced into il a passed, and stopped.
There was Ruth, half arisen from a chair,
in 4 strange. irresolute attitude. her work
fallen to the door, one hand shading her
eyes aud the other pressed against her
side. while her lips looked dry aud parted,
as il some word she sought TO utter found
no breath. While she failed to hear my
stepI understood, when presently voices,
low but audible. reached us both through
an open door. | recognized Clara first.
Indeed you must not say that. Mr..
Lvon; it i We who owe excuses. You
must have been greatly, annoyed about
that picture. and 1t was 4 selfish thing to
ask ut such time. If mamma had
known; but l--but sh,-you must try To
pardon us
Clara! Bob could say no more.
She went on hurrlediy.
: Let me have il as it is. | will not like
1t less because the artis. was too happy
to flush it 1t will remind me OF your hap
piuess and Ruth's-dear Ruth, whom |
love SO dearly, and who loves me-
,Clara.'-Bob's voice came hoarse aud
short-'you are worthy OF each other, and
| OF neither. Do what | will. | must be
false, disloyal. | cannot even give yon that
blotted canvas, because-here the mans
voice shivered into a kind ol passionate
it is confession and pray
er.'
He was gone; heard his footsteps in
the hall. But | would not look at Ruth;
my own pulse quiyered. and l moved
away.
Ruth and Clara were thrown much to-
gether ut this period, and very cordial,
sincere attachment appeared to bind those
Young ladies' 1t had been decreed in Sc
cret concIave that Miss Tyrrell should be
one of the brldesmaids-Miss Nellie, of
course. being the ether, and urging for
ward with the utmost zeal and excitement
the necessary preparations for the we'd
ding. That event was now at hand, and
Robin bore himself quietly and thought
fully, as became man vowed 10 grave re-
sponsioilities. and evinced little OF that pet
ulance and reStlessness which | had re-
marked at an early stage.
1t may have been a day or two before
the ceremony that Bob was rowing about
and laid her hand shyly on his arm.
What is it, dearT he said, gently, for
the girls cheek was flushing, and her eyes
did not meet his own.
There is something Ruth whispered.
something, Bob, that ought to be said
You are different, now, dear, from what
you were when We liked each other first
Something greater and higher, l knew
we'll while L. she went on sadly, am
Just the same-a farmers child,fit only for
the farm. cannot talk to you and ieel as
ethers do.
Dear Ruth y he said, and his eyes were
wet with generous tears, what could put
that nonsense into your head? You can
make the happy, dearest. None knows
you but is happier and better.
Thank you for saying that sne said
simply. aud looked up once into his face
YOU have loyal heart, dear. | judged ii
rightly Perhaps l may be worthier o
yoL than said. and here her voice again
sunk to whisper-'I will try to prove 1t.
At last it came. the wedding day. We
were assembled in the big parlor-Aun
Tyrrell, the squire and I-joined presently
by TIL. two bridesmaids; Miss Nellie radi
ant and eager Clara colorless as u white
rose. Bob followed in grande tenue, xnt
our little cortege was ready to set out fol