Ellsworth American., 1876-11-02

before he left of isckets,) and even drawn
| . tolerabie likeness OF \ rosy checked
bustliDg lass, who, on class-day, danced
with lively interest and seGse OF proprie.
torship In Master Bob's concerns.
While was ruminating on Aunt Tyr
relrs eQuivocal demeanor, and my kins-
woman, by sheer want of confidence, lost
the comfort and healing virtues OF time
ly word, Mr.. Lyon was rapidly nearing the
guessed-in New Hampshire, and was, in
fact, no other than the township of Con-
way. in the county OF Carroll. 1t was late
at night when he reached the quiet station
which lay nearest ,the farm. and, leaving
his traps on the secure platform, set out
cheerily 20 walk home.
How well he knew the road There was
the red school-house, and the Baptist
church, and clump OF naples at the Four
corners. That wss the Saco humming on
his left. threading the meadows, and feed
ing the pool above Squire Aliens mill and
here were sheep on the upland-Ruth' S
sheep, perhaps-asleep in the dry June
weather. West and North rose familiar
hills, clothed to the peak with pines ahd
hemlocks. kneeling, it seemed, before the
mountain lords that reared above them
their bare heads, gaunt and weird enough
|
their shadow the wonders of the haunted
Notch.
He spied the CLEAN OF candle-in the
keeping room, no doubt--as he swung
open n little gate and strobe up the gravel
ed walk fanked with sundowers and holly
hooks. That Is Ruth darning and mending
faithful soul he thought, letting the
clapper fall against the door. and Ruth. in-
deed. 1t WAS. who trotted forward in great
amaze. thrust back bolt nervously, stared
= second doubtfully IN his eyes theu caught
him In a warm embrace.
'Is Il you, Boo-realy you?' cried the
eager glrl. Come TO the light-let me see
your face She led him to the low-ceile
room. where all looked spruce and prim,
aud nez, as wax. why, how you've
growI. she said, scanning her cousin with
| admiriug eyes. You've got beard, too
great brown beard. l. it the fashion
Bob, in foreign partsi What haven't you
seen and done. And is it true, Bob-do
they give you heaps OF money for bits OF
! canvas like that you sent us from France:
How much now ?-come-
How are you all" said bewildered Ro-
bin. How's lttle Nellr
| .Little-why she's a woman. Bob? Where
| Is she ?-Nellie? And excited Ruth ran
into the passage to bid her sister dress
! quickly, and come down speedily, and well
come somebody who had come home TO his
| nlenIs at last.
And then modest Robin was again in
spected. and marvelled over and catechis-
/ ed. and presently in bounced Nellie.
gamesome. sprghtly lassie-and fiung two
/ plump arms about his neck and Ruth
made tea, and woke up Reuben the hind
| (hlred help She called HIM and dispatched
him 10 fetch the great mans luggage. and
| Nellie filed Bo1's pipe, and gave him cur
rant wine, and altogether there was JOY
and fe>tlyity, that night in the Lyon home
stead.
Nobody could help liking Ruth Lyon,
who marked the kind. frm mouth, and
honest eyes. or watched her earnest, ma
tronly ways. little too brisk. too care
Scarce sentiment or leisur,e.' zen saHnonph to play
the role Of sweetheart. but no such doubt
or cavil occurred 10 those who, like Cousin
Bob knew the story Of ner loyal life.
lie ran it over, lying awake by aud by In
! the best bedroom. aud noting the bright
woodwork, spotless curtains. quilted coy
| eret and other vouchers OF Ruth's house
. wiiery. He remembered his Introduction
| to the farm, when his father, the genius OF
the family-poor, luckless, abortlye, rustic
| genius We have all seen such-succum-
| bing finally TO stron. drink and disappoint-
| ment, left nothing behind him but a iretfui
| wife and sturdy boy. He could see his un-
| cle-plain, overworked. kindly man-tend-
| ing the widow, (while she lasted patient
always Of her peevish plants, pinching his
| girls TO buy Bob books, and putting the
lad TO Exeter school, (for the son OF gen
ius must have advantsges) and at last
throwing up In his turn the hard task of
| living. And then Ruth, mere girl, not
i y 49, H. q.
stocked aud nortgaged, and a little sister
on her hands, taking up the burden quietly
aud singly-Bob should never forego his
| college and the chance OF a iair career :
| wriuyiny from those reluctant acres indie
| pendence and comfort and even profit.
| Was IL not . fine, brave. thing, he thought,
| and could heart OF man wish more gener-
Gus comrade or help meet more efficient
| and true? And Cousin Ruth had waited
| for him all these years. aud now he was
| come home 10 marry her. They would be
married at once. That. at least was Ger
tain in an uncertain world-tixed and GER
| tain as that he would finish Miss Tyrrel's
picture. and forward 1t as per contract.
| within q week.
dare say 1t incommoded Ruth to sacr-
| nee her capscious stOre-room. which hap
penlne TO open from Bob's bed chamber
aud TO possess a skylight. was at once pro-
noted To the Junction OF stelier; but she
proceeded cheeTfully to transfer her house
| hold stuff slowing it away in hooks and
| pigeon holes. merely craving permission to
| leave some strings of dried apples which
| depended from the raiters. She could not
| find il IN her heart, however, TO rebuke the
kitchen. maid, who bewailed Justify the
connscation OF her clothes horse $50 she
| termed drying frame) and probably Ruth
condemned in secret the perversion of that
machine TO art purposes. But she esteem
ed it ner plain duty 20 further Bob's wishes
and forestall them II she could, SO when he
had rugged toerabe easel and got fairly
to work. Ruth enjoined the utmost quiet on
her subjects. aHd s.ivv- to compass the
| death.like silence which she presumed
congenisl-tO aesthetic toll.
| 1t was shock, therefore, TO the we'll
| meaning girl when she stole in on tp-toe
| to announce the midday meal.to find Nell
lie at BObs elbow. giggiing and prattins
right noisily. and daubing a strip Of can
vass with enthusiasm. Ruth disliked to
scold, but some reprimand seemed neces-
sary.
why will you be so thoughtless, NellT
she said. Look at all that dne paint vast
ed! How can Bob keep his wits with such
din.
oh, let her stay said the artist. Talk
ing don't tease me; rather helps this sort
Of work.
Does it?' said Ruth, sstounded, and be-
ginning to find small difference between
such work and play. Why. Mr.. Great
head the Baptist minister. locks himself up
for days when he writes sermons
That's what makes them 50 musty,' said
profane Bob. But come here Ruth; what
do you think Of thsT and he pointed to
Miss Tyrrelps portrait.
L think she's lovely protested Nellie,
who had bestowed close attention OIL the
young lady's toilet See how she does uF
her hair; and the run around her neck j
wish had Onev
"A comely face. but dreamy looking,
said wide-awake Ruth, and picks up land
scape with more interest.
That's view in the Morena,' explains
Robin. the region you are always hearing
D Of 10 Don Quixote.'
> Il don't remember said his betrothed
obviously. 1t seems billy country
. What breed Of sheep is that? such curl.