Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1878-06-22

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the engagement; but he would not con-
sent to be burden upon her, and it was
agreed that the marriage be postponed
until he secured some employment. He
had made application for clerkship
under the Government, but it began to
seem as if it was a modern case OF Jdra-
dyce VS.. Jarndyce. Once in while he
got letter from the Department
at Washington, saying that it was
quite probable that he would secure the
position; the matter had been referred
to such bureau, 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 mar
nv Ruth seemed very far of. 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 al
waYs pleasant. But he was too proud
to consent to any thing of that sort, as |
have said.
One day Ruth got letter from Aunt
Martha Fielding. Aunt Martha lived in
thriving little village among the Berk-
shire hills, and all that Ruth could re-
member about her was, that she always
made her think of some of the old
mountains to be seen from her windows,
because she was so grim in aspect and
seemed so Interchangeable in all ways.
There had been some family trouble,
and Aunt Martha had but very little to
do with any of her relatives. There
fore 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 month
that summer.
"Shall go?" asked Ruth.
al 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 herself. But sup
pose 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. l
wonder 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 invites any of her relatives to
visit her. Yes, Ruth, l think you'd bet
ter 60, and do all you can to make it
pleasant for her."
So Ruth went. Aunt Martha well
coined her in her usual grim fashion.
Her kiss made Ruth think of one of the
old mountains departing from its usual
dignity and saluting one of the hills.
Ruth wasn't long in 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 had got the idea into
her head that he ought to marry Ruth.
al always liked you," she said, in
one of her confidential moods. Now,
when Lucy's girls were up here l was
completely disguised with 'em. All
they thought of was dress and parties.
They were willing to see their mother
slave herself half to death for 'em, and
they wouldn't lift finger to help her.
But I've heard all about you, land l know
you're good girl, and know John'll
like you. He's sensible, and l hope you
are.'
When Ruth saw how determined she
was to make match between her and
this expected nephew, she thought it
time IN fell her how matters stood
"Aunt Martha" she said with little
frightened catch of her breath, for she
was afraid the old lady would be NOR
tally offended at the failure Of her plan,
"I'm engaged to be married" And
then, the worst being over, she went on
and told her all about IL and succeeded