The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-06-25
RUTH TnoRNToN's TEMPTATION.

Rrru THORNTON-s TEMPTATION.
Give veal in the ~penitentlary J"
The wretched wife of the priso-
nsr heard these words like one in a
dream. from which she vsinly prayed
she might wake and find that it was
a dream. She saw, with fearless
ewes, the prisoner remanded to bis
dreary cell, the last closing act OF
the tragedy that had made a wreck
OF her whole life, and then leaving
her seat within the bar she mingled
with the curious and excited tbrong
that was surging to the door.
"She don't seem to mind it much, y
she heard some say back of Der T;
heard it with a bitter consciousness
that she was set apart from all hu-
mar sympathy and companionship-
IL she were like other women Ii
tears would come to the relief of the
strained nerves and tortured brain
If unconscicusness would give her a
brief respite from the hand that
seemed tugging at her heart strings I.
There were some present who had
known Ruth in her bright and pros
porous DAYS, and who would fam
have spoken some words of hope or
comfort; but there was something in
the compressed lips and stony gaze
that chilled them; and so she passed
on her way alone, asking no sympa-
thy and receiving none.
As she married in defiance of her
fathers wishes, there were not want.
ing those who considered it as q
judgment, though no one had the
tsmerity TO say this to her. AS deep
ly incensed as Mr.. Conway was at
his daughters marriage, as soon as
he heard Of her trouble he stepped
forward with the offer of his home
and protection; but ss it was only on
condition that she would leave the
author of it to his fate, whatever it
might be, it was promptly rejected.
This completed the estrangement
between Ruth and her family, and
her husband being an orphan and an
only child, there were none of his to
stand by her in this her time of deep
est need and his.
Ruth never felt how utterly DESC
late her life was until passing through
the dirty narrow lane she assembled
the rickety stairs to the place she
called home-one bare, dingy room,
whose worm and scsnty furniture
gave il a most cherries aspect.
Ass she opened the door a lovely
little girl sprang forward.
"0h, mamma, is papa free You
said you would bring him back with
you"
These words were more than the
wretched wife and mother could
bear.
"You have no father, child!n she
said, harshly, "and | no husband (; be
is dead to you-to us both.n
The wall that broke from the
child's lips, so unchildlike in its grief
and despair, smote upon the mothers
heart. A strong revulsion came over
her, ard ~snatching the sobbing little
creature to her bosom, she strove tc
calm the tempest she had raised, and
which finally spent itself in broker
sobs and half drawn signs.
A knock upon the half open door
aroused Ruth from her gloomy re-
aections. Putting the child down
she arose, a look of annoyance ming
ling with the surprise &c clearly visi
BILE in her eyes as she turned them
upon the intruder, for such be evi
IDENTIFY was.
He was a stout elegantly dressed
man about forty, whose keen, restless
eyes belied the smooth, oily tone in
which be said:
81 know how distasteful my pres
ence is, and must be 70 you, Ruth
beg pardon, Mrs. Thornton" added
the speaker, as Ruth raised her hand
with the old imperious gesture that
be SO well remembered. Il though,
that your old name would sound
more pleasantly to you than the one
80 blackened and dishonored."
The mans eyes dropped beneath
the steady, uneincbing gaze that was
turned upon him.
at is still my name nevertheless,
Mr.. Brcughton. 1 am the wife OF
Richard Thornton I; you, Of sl men,
must never forget thaG"
Strangely conflicting feelings filed
MI. Broughton's heart as be gaEed
upon the speaker; with the passion.
ate admiration that cleaned forth 80
staslthily from the half closed eyes,
were mingled not q little surprise
and disappointment. He had thought
TO find her crushed and humble, glad
10 accept his aid and sympathy, but
not q trace of this could be seen 10
that calm, steady front and proudly
Fitted head. That faded dress, those
mean surroundings, could not rob her
of her birtbright; neFer had she
looked 50 regally beautiful; never
had she seemed so unapproschsble
in her womeny purity, go far away
from him, ss noe.
There vas only one thing that
gave that willy, unsernpulous man
hope, and that was the fact that
Ruth made no allusion to her hus-
bands i~nsocence, which she had,
uatil now, Persistently asserted, @
fact which be wac not slow to note
and profit by. He knew with what
.crushiag weight the conclusive evil
dence OF the last day Of the trial
must have fallen on a heart like hers,
aud she Ess no. q woman to love
where she could not respect.
Il wish | could make you under
stand" be said. speaking 10 "a low,
sad. carefully modulsted voice, how
-rnly 4 have tried 10 serve you in
TINS trying ensrRency-trying to me
az vel as 700. When | sscertsined
nv loss not the faintest suspicion
entered my mind that your husband
lad anrthiag 70 do With n Had 4