The Morning herald., 1878-06-12


~dew-gemmed flowers that seemed 10 ask
with odorous voice for her gentle GREETING.
Her thoughts were far away in thS dark
future, struggling for hope, but finding
none.
Suddenly she was startled by feeling a
hand placed softly on her shoulder,
and, turning quickly, she beheld Arthur
Harris.
''Ruth must speak to you. l wish to
know why you have avoided me 30 studi-
ously?"
'I didn't know had," she faltered
twisting one corner of her apron. ner1-
ously.
IT know it," he went on, in low, dulcet
voice. Sand 1 shall tell you the reason
since you are so ret;cent. You think too
little of yourself, and would sacrifice any
thing for Ella"
"What do you meanp" she demanded
somewhat sternly. .4
IT mean, Ruth, that love you, and you
only; that your beauty of soul il more to
me than all else on earth. L have studied
you when you never dreamed of it. Speak,
my darling? Will you come to my heart
foreverw
Her color came and went with every
breath, her bosom throbbed convulsively,
great tears stood in her eyes-she could not
speak. Clasping her hands, he drew her
toward him and reverently kissed her brow.
With murmur Of joy she sank upon his
breast.
"My precious Ruth" ...s
ooh, Arthur, I am so happy! 1 never
dreamed that you could love mel"
An hour later the family were gathered
at the breakfast table waiting for Arthnr.
What could detain him9 He was usually
punctual Presently the old Quaker
walked in and greeted his friends with
oueer smile and cracked voice. All re-
earded him wonderingly. Why was lie
here again2 .....t.
'sWhere did you come from, Mr.. Pey-
ton p questioned Ella, in a tone Of dis
gust, tinged with vexation. ...
'Trom thy friend Arthur's room. Thee
did not know had been here with him?"
he answered.
"The poor old man is crazy" said Mrs.
Stacey, with glance of sympathy. ~.
'No, mother, not yeti" .
The wig and whiskers fell to the floor,
portion of his Land partially cleaned his
mustache of powder, hif bent form became
erect--Arthur Harris stood before them.
Ella grew deathly pale and sank back in
her chair, quiveriug in every limb.
"Wsll, that docs beat everything eve'
heard of !" said John, with his mouth wide
open. .0 -'-
Mrs. Stacey and Ruth gazed upon the
young man in silent amusement.
''Yon will pardon this little deception,
am sure," said Arthur, glancing round the
group. "It was all for purpose of great
moment to me. wished to find a trust
ing, patient heart, one that could bless a
home, and I have succeeded. From the
moment that Ruth offered her chair to the
poor old Quaker, loved her, and my love
has increased ever since. I trust
my course will produce no hard feel
hgs."
Ella sat rigid, a dull light cleaning in
her eyes. Her parents said nothing;
they felt that she merited this stern re-
buke. The meal over, Ella locked her
self in her room, and wept and sobbed the
whole day long, but more from mortitica-
tion than sorrow. It was hard lesson for
her, but it was beneficial, inasmuch as it
helped her to conquer her unpleasant
qualities and to look down upon frivolity.
"Our wedding day, my Ruth, my beau
tiful Ruth"
Arthur Harris uttered the words in
tremulous voice, as, three months later, lie
led his bride to the altar.
And Ella heard them, but felt no jeal-
ousy, no envy, for her heart had been puri-
fed by suffering, and had already cast its
tendrils around a playmate of her child
hood-one whom she had really always
loveu.
In a court room at Raymond, Miss, re-
Gently, a witness dropped his pistol, which
went off, and the ball passed very near tho
head of the Judge, who only an hour be-
fore had bitterly denounced the practice of