The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-02-08
THE BENTLEY FORTUNE.
ny nRa n BURKE COLLINS.

A1ef hhnd WIS CitlSpeu IN MS, ms large
grey eyes rested lovingly upon her down
cast face.
81 am waiting for your answer
Ruth" he said, softly.
Tho light in her blue eyes faded away
a troubled cloud passed over her fea
lures, and obscured the sunlight
al know not what 10 do. she an
swered, in perplexed tone,
"You surely love me, Ruthl
"Do you doubt me, NedT
A glad smile flashed into his eyes
ho clasped her slight fern in his arms
'No-noi" he answered, impetuous
", ''only when You hesitate to gram
me the boon crave, dark suspicion
creeps into my heart that your are wan
dering and undecided"
"Iisten, Ruth. 1t will he the easies
thing in the world TO accomplish.
You are an orphan, and have no on,
TO consult. have no one save Uncl,
Ned, and ho ! have hopes of semetiin,
converting TO my view Of the case.
OF course it is unpleasant for you
this lonely life on this dreary planta
tion-the companion and drudge for old
Mrs. Leon. But the time will quickly
pass, darling, and sobn ] can claim you
openly.
Uncle Ned is old, and rich, and i'll ol
an incurable disease. | dare not offend
him, for | am TO be his heir, you know
he being unmarried, and cannot live
worry long. lie Is now confined 10 his
bed, and | am every day expecting a
summons to his side. When that sum,
mons comes, Ruth, may find some
difficulty IN leaving him again while lac
lives. And my heart yearns to call you
my wife before ! go then, come what
may, / viii have the right to care for
and protect you. Can't You say yes,
Ruth r.
"But, Ned, am older than you; in
time, you may regret this stop Besides,
] do not approve of secret marriages.
''Neither do l, darling. But this
case is so peculiar. | can see no pos
sible harm in it; the secret need only
to be kept for little while And as
for your first objection, ] tell you, Ruth
Norris, l love you. It is my first love,
and shall be my last; you are the one
passion of my life. Young as ! am, ]
am still no boy, and have seen much oi
the world If you do not marry me, ]
shall never have n wife. This is moi
impulse, but the result of long delib
Grafton.
Ruth clasped her hands over Ned
Bentley's arm, and g,azed long into the
loving eyes bent upon her.
'You will consent, Ruth r. he went
on, hurriedly ave can 90 over 20
Washington Parrish in my buggy. ]
will have the license ready, and in short
time, you viii be mine forever. Then,
when | go to Uncle Ned, | viii know
that my little wife awaits my return.
And | will be true and good, my darl-
ing. OH believe mcn
There was no mistaking the truth
and earnestness in the young mans
voice.
No woman, loving as she did, ceuld
long be proof against it. Ruth bowed
her head on his shoulder; and 50, they
were betrothed.
"Ruth-Ruthl Come here, | say =
The sllrill, cracked tones hrokt, the
sweet dream in which the two were
indulging.
A frown crossed Ned's boyish fat..
''Wait until I'm my own MASTER he
said, savagely, "anl I'll pay the old
dragon back, for every cross word and
sour look that she has ever given you.
She shall have compound interest, too
Ruth had started away, in answer to
her tyrant's call.
Ned followed her a few steps, and
contrived to whisper:
81 shall come Tomorrow, darling.
Will you be ready to go with mel'
A sweet smile answered him anil so,
the two parted.
The next day was gloriously lovely.
The sky, as fair and cloudless as sea
of azure tho air cool and laden with
fragrance the nocking birds jubilant
in the green tree tops; the whole earth
aeemed alive, and stirring to the sound
of unseen music.
At breakfast, the tempest broke. For
the first time in all her years of scrvi-
tude, Ruth dared to ask for holiday
and-worsc than all-she sought per
mission to accompany Ned Bentley for
q drive.
Madame Leon, a peevish, cross, half
demented old Creole lady, who made
Ruths life one long winter day, and a
grievOus burden, was Mortified at the
young woman's assurance.
Then arose all the long suffering in
dependence of Ruth's nature.
81 AIN not yo4r slave, Madame Leon,
she said, quietly, but firmly. 'If / am
not permitted to go out to-day | shall
leave your house permanently. [ feal
you will find some difficulty in filling
my not very enviable position.
1t was the best shot she could have
fired, and it told
With grim visago and compressed
lips, madame consented.
With light heart Ruth allowed Ned
to help her into his buggy, and they
drove away rejoicing.
Just at sunset they returned, domurt
and quiet. Ned lifted her from the car
riage as though nothing had happened
Goodnight, Ruth" he said, gayly
for madame was seated upon the gallery
her suspicious eyes and wrinkled face
turned full upon them but she did moi
hear him whisper under his breath:
"God bless my little wife"
The days glided by, quiet, with {
sweet peace. Ruth saw good deal O