The Portland daily press., 1879-03-17

she sought to utter found no breath. why
she failed to hear my step understood wnen
presently voices, low but audible, reached us
both through an open door. Recognized
Clara's first.
'sIndeed you must not say that, Mr.. Lyon
it is we who owe excuses. You must have
been greatly annoyed about that picture, and
it was a selfish thing to ask it at such time.
If mamma had known; but but she-you
must try to pardon u.s.
"Clarap' Bob could say no more.
She went Oh hurriedly:
81 LET me have it as it is. will not like 1t
less because the artist was too happy to I'm
ish it. 1t will remind me of your happiness
and Ruth's-dear Ruth, whom love dearly,
and who loves me-,
"Ciara p'-Bob's voice came hoarse and
short-"you are worthy of each other, and
of neither. Do what 1 will, must be false,
disloyal. I cannot even give you that blotted
canvas, because"-here the mans voice shiv-
cred into kind OF passionate sob-"because
1t is confession and prayerW
He was gone-I heard his footsteps in the
hall. But would not look at Ruth; my
own pulse quivered, and moved away.
Ruth and Clara were thrown much togeth-
er at this period, and very cordial, sincere
attachment appeared to bind those young
ladies. 1t had been decreed in secret con-
brdesmaids-M Nellie of course being the
other, and urging forward with the utmost
zeal and excitement the necessary prepare
tons for the wedding. That event was now
at hand, and Robin bore himself quietly ana
thoughtfully, as became man vowed 10
grave responsibilities, and evinced little OF
that petulance and restlessness which had
remarked at all early stage.
It may have been day or two before the
ceremony that Bob was rowing about the
orchard, when Ruth came out to him and
laid her hand shyly on his arm.
sWhat is it. dear?" he said gently, for the
girls cheek was flushing, and her eyes did
not meet his own.
"There is something" Ruth whispered,
something, Bob, that ought to be said.
You are different now. dear, from what you
were when we liked each other first. Some
thing greater and higher, l know we'll.
While l." she went on, sadly, Sam just the
samoa farmers child, fit only for the farm.
cannot talk to you and hope and feel with
YOU as others do.'
s'Dear Ruthp' he said, and his eyes were
| wet with generous tears" what could put
F! that nonsense in your head? You can make
me happy, dearest. None knows you but is
happier and better"
"Thank you for saying that" she said,
simply, and looked up into his face; 'you
have loyal heart, dear. 1 judged rightly.
Perhaps may be worthier of you than
said, and''-here her voice again sunk to a
whisper-"I will try to prove it,
At last it came the wedding day. We
were assembled in the big parlor-Aunt Tyr
the two bridesmaids; Mss Nellie radiant
| and eager, Cara colorless as white rose.
Bob followed in grande tenue, and our little
cortege was ready to set out for the village
church, whose bell was ringing merry peal.
"Where's Ruth ?" cried Nellie. "Ah, here
she isp' And Ruth came, robed in white, as
became bride; with her wedding veil, too,
but that she carried on her arm. There was
dew, think, in her kind eyes, but her lips
were parted in smile.
"Were you waiting for the bride?' she
| said.
A screen stood in the corner of the room,
and she moved toward it, holding Clara's
| hand.
"Move the screen, dear Bob," Ruth said
81 want to show you something"
He pushed it aside, and saw the mutilated
| portrait.
'You can finish that" said Ruth, softly,
sit the lady sits to you all her life" And
she put Cara's hand in his.
OF course. the wedding. ladies. did not take
| place that very day; but, although Aunt
AyiACh UCWlluClluCub duQ pcIpCAlby Wctt
extreme, she was not long obdurate, being
naturallyof romantic turn. and recalling
sundry episodes of her youth. Besides, she
could not but acknowledge Ruth's authority
in the premises, and consented at the end Of
week that her will should be made law.
| Possibly, had my advice been solicited,
| should have counseled still longer postpone.
ment, remembering certain banker in New
| York who might be deemed to have an inter
| est in the matter. But the stole army oil
husbands holds no veteran more thoroughly
disciplined, and 1 Doubt not my excellent
uncle received such dispatches from his COM
harding officer as well-nigh reconcied him
| to the catastrophe.
can vouch that the wedding breakfast
for that feature of the ceremony was not
omitted-was, in all respects, delightful
feast, although the happiness of the married
pair may have been a thought less beamiDg
and irrepressible than we are wont to see it
on such occasions. Squire Allen was the
life of the banquet; indeed, be could scarcely
have shown more citation had the wedding
been his own. There was another person in
| the company who might have liked place
beside the gentle hostess, but. as the squire
aat on Ruth's right hand, Miss Nell and
| diverted one another.