St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-08-02

Well, what possible reason was there
why she should not? Last night she
would hardly have hesitated: why
should she now, when so much more
depended on it-when every star that
blazed and fell over Paradise Point was
the annoyance of her sit
nation? Ruth could hardly give any
reason herself. What if Mr.. Appleton
did sometimes tire and puzzle her? All
men did that-except John Brakeman.
And had not John gone after Adeliza
Boggitt9 And-coming back to the
most important aspect of the case-hOw
could she ever again face New Paradise
without the protection that only Mr..
Appleton could giveq Ruth turned list
lessly around. If the young man could
have seen her face at that moment he
would have seen the weariest, saddest,
tearfullest face that any one could
imagine. Clearly the offer of marriage
had not brought Ruth much joy. But
cret to herself and her voice, as she un
dertoOk to answer him, was so steadied
that, low and hesitating, it did not dis
close her frame of mind. If she accept
ed him, she would not seem TO do it
reluctantly.
"If you would really like" she be-
gan, unconsciOusly using the same
words she had employed when accept
ing his invitation the night before.
But that was all. For across the wa
ter came a sudden apparition that
hushed her words and captured her
gaze. Out of the darkness had sprung
the ontlne of the shore, still far away,
but for the instant brilliantly lit up
with a clear white light that brought
out in startling relief not only the shore
itself, but all intervening objects. 1t
was the finale of the FirewOrks-the
ElectrOpyrOtechnicOn
In that momentary glare, gone almost
as soon as it had come, Ruth had rev.
elation. Out into the darkness which
her eyes now vainly sought to pierce
deeper and darker because of the tran
sient light which had gone before-rang
the girls clear voice calling, "John
John ~
Had she gone crazyP Appleton won
dered, starting from his seat.
But, mol Far off to the starboard
came an answering call, "Halloo !"
"John !" the fresh young voice called
once more and again the word came
back, nearer this time, "HallOo !"
Appleton had now found his wits.
"BOat ahoy !" he shouted.
SAY, ay ~ came back the voice and
this time it was not difficult to identify
it as John Blakeman's.
Then there was sound of oars COM
ing nearer and nearer, until in ten min
utes the owner of the voice had pulled
alCr 10 hn lx-
surveying its occupants.
''Oh, John ~ cried Ruth, delightedly,
her face, which they could not see,
sparkling, with her sense of relief, show
did you ever find us?"
1t is hard to say whether Ruth or Mr..
Appleton was the more relieved. To
the young man the situation had been
particularly disagreeable one, both
from concern on Ruth's behalf and be-
cause it had forced him into making an
acknowledgment which, as he frankly
confessed, he was not altogether ready
to make. He welcomed John, there
fore, as one might welcome his oldest
and dearest friend.
"Yes," he warmly exclaimed, repeat
ing Ruth's words, chow in the world
did you find us ?''
Now, there was tone of proprietor
ship in this which, though John ex-
pected it, nevertheless annoyed him.
So he answered, somewhat stiff1y:
81 ciphered it out. Knew you'd be
becalmed, and calculated about where
you'd drift. But didn't suppose you'd
be down here yet awhile, and if you
hadn't hallooed, Miss Ruth, l shouldn't
have found you at ALL"
There was a moment of silence, while
each one wondered what was to be done
next.
"Well," said John, at length, ''the
yacht can't be left alone so if you like.
Mr. Appleton, you can take my boat
and pull Miss Ruth home, and I'll stay
out here till breeze springs up"
Ruth shivered. Was she to have nc
voice in her own destiny
Mr.. Appleton's words were more re-
assuring.
"No," he said, 81 don't think that's
the best way. I'm not going to burden
you with my property, so I'll ask you
to take home Miss Ruth while | stay
with the yacht"
John would have been stupid, indeed
if he had not understood what Mr.. Ap-
|
ute before he spoke-perhaps he was
adjusting himself to the idea-but his
voice rang with new tone as he said
"Of course Miss Ruth knows how glad
| would be to take her. came to the
Fireworks alone; ! should be better
pleased to go back in her company"
Then there was another moments
silence, while both the young men look
ed expectantly at the waiting, doubt.
ing figure.
"Well, Miss Ruth" said Appleton
cheerily, (which shall it be? It's fol
you to say"
In the flash of the Electropyrotechni
con the revelation that had come tC
Ruth had been not only that of John,
presence. In that moment she had 90
a knowledge of her own heart. Ant
now, when Mr.. Appleton spoke, know
ing that John had not, after all, brough
Adeliza Boggitt, she looked timidly
from one to the other, flushed all owe
her face with the consciousness of th,
choice she was making, and said, softly
~ think, Mr.. Appleton, I'll go will
Well, not much remains to be told
No one in New Paradise but old MI
Mousewinkle ever knew that Ruth wen
with Mr.. Appleton and came back witt
John Brakeman and if they did the,
would hardly have found out where tn,
transfer took place. And no one bu
Ruth knew-for she did not even tell i
John-that she might have come bacl
engaged to Mr.. Appleton instead O
John Brakeman if it had not been fo
the revelation which came to her in tn
light of the Deddicote Fireworks.