Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-26
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Ruth :" and forthwith he related the whole
story of the mistake.
She burst into merry laugh
II cannot help being amused myself.
he said. although | am sorry il should
have happened. Sorry. did say? ! can
not be altogether sorry. when the mistake
has has given me these kind friends
hope they will not all turn against me.
though | have unintentionally deceived
them
Turn against you. Mr.. M'April :" said
Ruth. "Of course we shall not. You mus
not think so badly of us as that"
We'll. | will not" he said. but now
what am to do next? How shall max,
known my position ~
why not let things go on Just as they
are2 Weather is enjoying your visi
very much Now do not spoil it all by
speaking of this mistake 1t would ONLY
bring on an unpleasant discussion, and
things will not be any worse than they
have been, you know"
mo worse. only that now | am sailing
under false colors. However. | am in.
clined to follow your advice. think
will let things take their course for the
present, and explain matters to your father
after reach home Now should like tn
hear something about your Mr.. Smith.
Has he gone to be married too -
mo he is already; but one day last
week he had telegram calling him away
and he and his wife went Immediately
We are quite anxious to learn the cause
1t is the strangest thing that father has not
said more to you about Mr.. Smith; but
suppose it must be because he has been 50
much interested in talking of your uncle
and old times
1t was not until afternoon that Mr.
M'April took leave6f his new friends, and
then with an urgent invitation TO visit
them in the summer. On reaching home
wrote TO Mr.. Varley. and then watched for
a reply, hoping the invitation might after
all, be renewed He was vcXed at
the eagerness with which he listened for
the postman but somehow he found ii in
impossible to drive the affair from his
mind. for the sweet face of Ruth Marley
was stamped upon his memory, and con-
tinually in his thoughts, interfering even
with his studies which he now continued
regularly.
Let us see how the letter was received
at the farmhouse. The deacon opened it
at the tea table. and Ruth watched him
nervonsly, guessing from whom it came.
Whats this ?" he exclaimed, after
glancing at few lines. Then he read it
through hastily, as if in a hurry to know
the whole, and afterward went over il
again more carefully. Finally he spread
it upon the table before him and sat look.
ing at it.
Aren't you going TO eat your supper
f .ther!" asked Mrs. Varley, when her pa
tience was exhausted.
He looked up then: but, instead of an
swering, passed the letter TO her. and
scrutinized her as she read.
"Well? ?" he said, when she had finished
Well" she answered in a sort Of echo
for she did not know what else TO say.
IL don't see how any one could find
fault with that he said, slowly. at was
handsomely done, if he is little out of the
track. We must have him up here next
Summer any way, and perhaps we can
bring him round. "I'll write to him to-
morrow.
After he had sent his letter. Mr. Varley
did not say much about Mr.. MApril. He
was somewhat chagrined that he had so
highly praised one whose views differed
from his own; yet although the acquaint-
ance had been very short. the young man
had taken strong hold upon his afiec-
tons and, strange to say. after the dis
covery he seemed to like him better than
ever, in spite of trying to forget him. !
do not know that Miss Ruth tried to for
but ,bf tr,aI she I'D
coed any better than her father; and there
was another, whom she had never seen,
coming into her mind. She
often found herself wondering who Mr..
M'April has rescued from the ship. She
thought he had spoken as if he liked the
young lady very much indeed, and she
if she was pretty and attractive.
The next summer proved a very pleas
ant one to these new friends. Mr.. NJ April
and his sister Helen found boarding.
place in Parole. and the young minister
spent much of his time at the farmhouse.
One morning, as he and Ruth Marley
were walking together in the woods, she
determined to try to satisfy her curiosity
q little; so she asked him the name of the
girl he had taken from the wreck, and
whether he saw her often. He answered
that he did see her quite often, for the
family had moved near his sisters and in
the spring she was so sick that they were
very anxious about her. and he and his
sister used to take her out for drive oc-
casionally. She had now, however, en-
tirely recovered her health
"Her name" he continued, lis Rhoda
jackson. Not very pretty name, is it ?"
''Is she a pretty girl" asked Ruth.
well, suppose there might be diff
ference of opinion about that" he said
''She has bright, intelligent face, and |
like her looks. She is a warn-hearted lit
tie thing, and good feelings will make al
most any face seem beautiful at times.
By-the-way, believe have her picture.
will bring it over for You to pass your
judgment upon"
Ruth was rather more quiet than usual
the rest of the day. and in the evening she
was glad to see Mr.. M'April again. th,
time bringing the photograph. When she
looked at it she blushed. 1t was the like
ness of quite beautiful colored girl.
Mr.. M'April smiled as he saw her con
fusion. and he took her hand and said.
My dear Ruth, did deceive YOU? am
sure think she is good looking. Don't