The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1878-06-26
MISCELLANY.
RUTH,S LEGACY.

army with an empty sleeve, some people won
dered if Ruth Gerrish would marry him. A
man with one arm gone, and that his RICH
one, they argued, was only part of man
and Ruth was girl who could have her choic,
therefore-and what conclusions these per
sons arrived at, you have seen these very per
sons. They live in every neighborhood.
But those who knew Ruth best neve
doubted what she would do for moment
OF course she'll marry him." they said
from doing as she promised. She loves him
and that settles the question:"
When Craig told her that he would give he
back her promise, she came and stood before
him, and, looking straight into his with hel
earnest eyes, she said
Do you love me, Rodney?"
God knows l do, Ruth" he answered
and then she put her hand in his and made
reply
Then never mention this matter again.
told you would be your wife, God willing
and if we love each other, l see no reason
why we SHoulu Hob no DIS VIC lotehuVu'
would marry you, Rodney, if there was
enough left of you to hold your heart"
After that he never spoke of breaking the
engagement but he would not consent to be
burden upon her, and it was agreed that the
marriage be postponed until he secured some
employment. He had made application for a
clerkship under the Government but it began
to seem as if it was modern case of Jarn.
dyce VS.. Jarndyce. Once IN awhile he got a
letter from the department al isaashington,
saying that it was quite probable that he
would secure the position; the matter had
been referred to such buleau, or was now
under consideration by such an official, etc.
And SO the weeks heightened into months,
and he waited and hoped and heard nothing
definite, and the time when he would be in a
position to marry Ruth seemed very far Off
She would have married him next day if he
had been willing. She would have been glad
to work for him, because she loved him, and
work for those we love is always pleasant
But he was too proud TO consent to anything
of that sort, as I have said.
One day Ruth got letter from Aunt Mar
tina Fielding. Aunt Martha lived in thriv-
ing little village among the Berkshire hills,
and all that Ruth could remember about her
was she always made her think of some of
the old mountains to be seen from her win
dows, because she was so grim in aspect and
seemed so Interchangeable in all her ways
There had been some family trouble, and
Aunt Martha had but very little to do with
any of her relatives. Therefore it is not to
be wondered at that Ruth and her mother
were surprised when this letter came, asking
Ruth to come up and stay with her for a
month that summer
Shall go 9' asked Ruth.
CT think you had BETTER" answered her
mother. "She must be lonely there. Poor
thing ! she's had good deal of trouble, off
and on, but she's made the most of it her.
self. But I suppose she couldn't help it it
was her disposition"
81 can't see what she wants me to come
for" said Ruth. 81 haven't seen her since
was little bit of girl. Iwonder she didn't
send for one of Aunt Lucy's girls"
"She's got some plan in her head" said
Mrs. Gerrish " she always has when she in
vites any of her relatives to visit her. Yes,
Ruth, think you'd better go, and do all you
can to make it pleasant for her."
So Ruth went. Aunt Martha welcomed her
in her usual grim fashion. Her kiss mads
Ruth think of one of the old mountains de-
parting from it's usual dignity and saluting
one of the hills.
Ruth wasn't long ip finding out what Aunt
Martha had invited her to visit her for. One
of her nephews was coming next week-her
favorite nephew, she told Ruth, and the one
to whom her property would go when she was
done with it, and she got the idea into heI
head that he ought to marry Ruth.
81 always liked you," she said, in one Of
girls were up here was completely Disguised
with em. All they thought of was dress ant
parties. They we're willing to see their moth
er slave herself to death for 'em, and they
wouldn't lift finger to help her. But I've
heard all about you and know you're goot
girl, and know John'll like you. He''
sensible, and hope you are"
When Ruth saw how determined she wa
to make a match between her and this ex
pected nephew, she thought it time to tell hel
how matters stood.
"Aunt Martha" she said, with little
frightened catch of her BREATH for she wa'
afraid the old lady would be mortally offend
ed at the failure of her plans, "I'm engaged
to be married" And, then, the worse being
over, she went on and told her all about it
and succeeded in making her lover into
great hero, in her own estimation, if not il
Aunt Martha's.