The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-10-24

to hear my step | understood, when present.
ly voices, low but audible, reached us both
through an open door. 1 recognized Clara
first.
.'Indeed you must not say that, Mr.. Lyon;
it is we who owe excuses. You must have
been greatly annoyed about that picture, and
it was selfish thing to ask at such time
Ii mamma had known; but but she-you
must try to pardon u.s."
''Claraw Bob could say no more.
She went on hurriedly.
"Let me have it as it is. I will not like if
less because the artist was too happy to fin
ish it! 1t will remind me of your happiness
and Ruth's-dear Ruth, whom I love SO
dearly, and who loves me.''
"ClaraP '-Bob's voice came hoarse and
short-"you are worthy of each other, and /
Of neither: Do what will, must be false,
disloyal. l cannot even give you that blotted
canvas, because"-here the mans voice shiv-
cred into kind of passionate sob-"because
it is confession and prayer.'
He was gone; I heard his footsteps in the
hall. But l would not look at Ruth; my
own pulse quivered, and moved away.
Ruth and Clara were thrown much to-
gether at this period, and very cordial, sim
cere attachment appeared to bind those
young ladies. 1t had been decreed in secret
conclave that Miss Tyrrel should be one of
the bridesmaids-Miss Nellie, of course, be-
ing the other, and urging forward with the
utmost zeal and excitement the necessary
preparations for the wedding. That event
was now at hand, and Robin bore himself
quietly and thoughtfully, as became man
vowed to grave responsibilities, and evinced
little of that petulance and restlessness which
had remarked at an early stage.
1t may have been day or two before the
ceremony that Bob was rowing about the Or
chard, when Ruth came out to him, and laid
her hand shyly ON his arm.
'What is it, dear?" 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
create: and higher, know well. While 10
she went on sadly, sam just the samoa
| farmers child, fit only for the farm. can
| not talk to you and feel as others do.
"Dear Ruthv' he said, and his eyes were
wet with generous tears, "what could put
that nonsense in your head? You can make
me happy, dearest. None knows you but is
happier and BETTER"
| ply, and looked up once into his face; .you
| have loyal heart, dear. judged it rightly.
Perhaps | may be worthier of you than I
| said, and' here her voice again sunk to
whisper-'I will try to prove it."
At last it came, the wedding day. We
were assembled in the big parlor-Aunt Tyr
rell, the squire and I-joined presently by
the two bridesmaids; Miss Nellie radiant
and eager, Clara colorless as white rose.
Bob followed in grande tenue, and our little
cortege was ready 10 set out for the village
church, whose bell was ringing merry peal.
where's Ruth ?" cried Nellie. "Ah, here
she tsp And Rnth came in, robed in white
as became bride: with her wedding veil.
too, but that she carried on her arm. There
was dew, think, in her kind eyes, but her
| lips were parted in a smile.
'Were you waiting for the bride ?" she
| said.
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,
Il want to show you something"
He pushed it aside, and saw the mutlated
portrait.
''You can finish that" said Ruth, softly.
'if the lady sits to you all her life.'' And
| she put Clara's hand in his.
Of course, the wedding, ladies', did not
take place that very day; but although Aunt
TyrrelPs bewilderment and perplexity were
extreme, she was not long obdurate, being
naturally OF romantic turn, and recalling
sundry episodes of her youth. Besides, she
could not but acknowledge Ruth's authority
| insthe premises, and consented at the end of
week that her will should be made law.
Possibly, had my advice been solicited, /
should have counselled still longer post
| ponement, remembering certain banker in
New York who might be deemed to have an
interest in the matter. But the stole army
| of husbands holds no veteran more thor
oughly disciplined, and 1 doubt not my ex-
cellent uncle received such dispatches from
his commanding officer as wellnigh recon-
cied him to the catastrophe.
1 can vouch that the wedding breakfast
for that feature of the ceremony was not
omitted-was in all respects delightful
feast, although the happiness of the married
pair may have been thought less beaming
and irrepressible than we are wont to see on
such occasions. Squire Allen was the life
OF the banquet; indeed, he could scarcely
have shown more elation had the wedding
been his own. There was another person in
the company who might have liked place
beside the gentle hostess, but, as the squire
sat on Ruth's right hand, Miss Nell and + d.
verted one another.