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


answered Ruth, bravely. " We love each 9TH
er and we'll got along some way and loves
better than all the wealth in the world, /
think, and so does Rodney
Humph said Aunt Martha, and there
the matter dropped.
Nephew John came, and he and Ruth were
good friends at once but neither of them ev-
er dreamed of loving each other. One day
Aunt Martha limited her plan tohim, and then
had long talk with Ruth, which hadn't the
least effect towards changing her mind.
have promised to marry Rodney" said
Ruth, firmly. g shall keep my PROMISE
Not all the wealth in the world would tempt
me to break my promise to him, because love
him.,
That afternoon, when she and John were
together he told her what Aunt Martha had
said in the morning. and then they had a good
laugh over the old lady's plans, and before
the interview was ended he showed her the
picture of ''his GIRL" and Ruth told him all
about Rodney.
It's almost too bad to disappoint her So"
he said, laughingly. :. But don't feel quite
willing to give up my own plans for hers,
and see you don't SO we don't seem to be
able to crafty her by carrying out her pet
project"
81 think not" answered Ruth 81 like
you pretty well, John, but like Rodney bet
term different way, you know and
guess we shall have to run the risk of Aunt
Martha's displeasure and take the conse-
quences."
The matter was never mentioned by Aunt
Martha again. When Ruth went home she
kissed her after the same grim fashion OF her
welcome and told her she should expect to
see her next summer if nothing happened.
Something did happen. 1t will happen to
all some time. Aunt Martha had not expect
ed it so soon, and none of her relatives had
thought of her dying for years to come. But
the call came for her suddenly, and she went
away in the darkness of a winter night, and
there was no coming back from a journey like
hers.
Ruth and her mother were at the funeral,
The lawyer invited all the relatives to tarry
to the reading of her will. That had been her
request.
To her dear nephew, John Hunt, she gave
the sum of thirty thousand dollars TO her
dear niece, Ruth Gerrsh, she gave her Bible,
with all the papers therein contained That
was tho sum and substance of the docu-
mont.
Ruth took her legacy, which was found in
Aunt Martha's room, securely tied up in a
thick wrapper with her name upon it, as the
will had stated, and they went back home.
81 wonder who has tho homestead ?" said
Mrs. Gerrish that evening. "All the prop
erty willed to John was in bonds and notes."
Rodney Craig came in, and Ruth brought
out her legacy to show him. She removed the
wrapper and they sat down together to look
the well-worn Bible over. paper fluttered
to the floor. Ruth stopped and picked it up
and read
My DEAR NEIoE Ruth Il believe that
the woman who is true to the man she loves,
even if he is poor and hasn't but one arm, is
an honor to her sex. If you had been willing
to marry John, and give up your lover,
should have despised you. AS 1t is, | respect
you, and as token of my respect | give you
this old Bible and all you will find in it, and
pray that you will be happy, as you deserve
to be. MAKTHA FIELDING.
Then, of course, Ruth had to tell Rodney
all about it, She had told her mother before.
How his eyes shone when he knew the sacri-
flee she had made for his sake And he said
something about it in broken voice but she
stopped him.
81 made no sacrifice at ALL" she said. 81
didn't do it for your sake either did it for
looe's sake"
The Bible slipped from his knee to the
floor. and several documents slipped out upon
the carpet. He picked them up to replace
them. Ruth took them from his hand to ex-
anime them.
80 mother Rodney p she cried excited
ly, "Mey're deeds !"
And, sure enough, they were The old
homestead in the village, and the farm mile
or two away, were left to Ruth, and Aunt
Martha had had the deeds made out before
her death. A slip of paper wrapped about
them said that Mr.. Jefireys, her lawyer, could
tell Ruth anything she wanted to know about
the property She could take possession at
any time.
"Oh, we're RICH" cried Ruth, with happy
ewes. "Dear Aunt Martha Her heart was
kinder than any of us thought. l hope she
knows all about it. If she does I'm sure she
isn't sorry for what she's DONE"
at never rains but it pours." Next day
came a letter to Rodney from the publisher of
the paper in the village where Aunt Martha's
home had been. He wanted some one to take
the position of editor, at a liberal salary, con-
sidering the amount of work to be done. Miss
Martha Fielding had advised him, some time
ago, to offer the position to him. Would he
come up and talk the matter over?
Rodney went, and so did Ruth and her
mother. And they are living there now, much
happier, think, than they would have been
if Rodney had taken the clerkship, which APP
pointment came when it was no longer needed.
And Aunt Martha is not forgotten, you may
be quite sure.
| wouldn't give ten cents yard for all tho
pedieree in this world ifa man has got lev
81 head on his shoulders, and an honest heart
:. IL lod,, ha haa rot all the pediOree L am