The Portland daily press., 1879-03-15

But the reader doubtless understands tndt
the scenes and incidents heretofore recorded,
as we'll as others to be presently set forth,
were made known to the writer at
period considerably subsequent to their actu-
al occurrence. Otherwise he would have be-
thought him at this juncture to communicate
little circumstance calculated to dlspel
with magic cogency the worst symptoms OF
a certain distemper, and cause the mind OF
well-regulated young woman to recover IN
stantly its normal tone. | mean the circum-
stance of my friends engagement, which I
might, without much difficulty, have re-
sussitated from my memory the idiot had en-
gagged himself before he left off Jackets, and
even drawn tolerable likeness of rosy
checked, bustlpg lass, who, on class-day,
danced with ardor upon the college green,
and betrayed lively interest and sense of
propretorship IN Master Bob's concerns.
While was Illuminating on Aunt TyrrePs
equivocal demeanor, and my kinswomen, by
sheer want of confidence, lost the comfort
and healing virtues of timely word, Mr..
Lyon was rapidly nearing the natal village,
which proved to be-as guessed-in New
Hampshire, and was, in fact, no other than
the township of Conway, in the county OF Car
roll. 1t was late at night when he reached
the quiet station which lay nearest the farm,
and leaving his traps on the secure platform,
SET out cneerlly TO walk nome.
How we'll he knew the road! There was
the red school-house and the Baptist church
and the clump of naples at the Four corners
There was the Saco humming on his left,
threading the meadows and feeding the pool
above Squire Aliens mill; and here were
sheep on the upland-Ruth's sheep, perhaps
asleep in the dry julie weather. West aud
north rose familiar hills, clothed to the peak
with pines and hemlocks, kneeling, it seemed
before the mountain lords that reared above
them their bare heads. gaunt and weird
enough in the moonlight, and hid some
where in their shadow the wonders Of the
haunted Notch.
He spied the CLEAN of candle-in the
keeping room, no doubt-as he swung open a
little gate and strobe up the graveled walk
fanked with sun-fowers and hollyhocks
''fhat is Ruth darning and mending-faith-
full soul!' he thought, letting the clapper fall
against the door and Ruth, indeed it was,
who trotted forward in great amaze, thrust
back bolt nervousy, stared a second doubt
fully into his eyes, then caught him in a
warm embrace.
SIS it you, Bob,-really youf" cried the
eager girl. "Come into the light, let me see
your facep' She led him to the low-celled
neat as wax. "Why, how you've grown p
she said scanning her cousin with admiripg
eyes. you've got a beard too-a great
brown beard. Is it the fashion, Bob. in for
egn parts? What haven't you seen and
done! And is it true, Bob-do they give you
heaps of money for bits of canvas like that
you sen: US from France? How much now
come
'How are you all ?" said bewildered Robin.
"How's little Nel?"
Little! why she's woman. Bob. Where
is she? Nelliep' And excited Ruth ran into
the passage to bid her sister dress quickly and
come down speedily and welcome somebody
who had come home to his friends at last.
And then modest Robin was again inspected
and marvelled over and catechised, and pres.
emily In bounced Nellie-a gamesome ,spright-
ly lasse-and flung two plump arms about
his neck and Ruth made tea, and woke up
Reuben the hind (hred help, she called him }
and dispatched him to fetch the great mans
luggage, and Nellie filled Bob's pipe aud gave
him currant wine, and altogether there was
Joy and festivity that night in the Lyon
homestead.
Nobody could help liking Ruth Lyon who
marked the kind, firm mouth and honest
eyes. or watched her earnest, matronly ways.
A little too brisk, too careful and practical,
you may think, with scarcely sentiment or
leisure enough to play the role of sweetheart,
but no such doubt or cavil occurred to those
who, like Cousin Bob, knew the story OF her
loyal life.
He ran it all over, by and by, lying awake
in the best bedroom and noting the bright
woodwork, spotless curtains, quilted coverlet
and other vouchers of Ruth's house wifery.
He remembered his introduction to the farm.
when his father, the genius of the family,
poor, luckless, abortive. rustic genius, we
have all seen such, succumblng finally to
strong drink and disappointment, left moth
ing behind him but tretful wife and sturdy
boy. He could see his uncle, plain, over
worked, kindly man, tending the widow
while she lasted, patient always of her peev-
ish plants, plnching his girls to buy Bob
books, and putting the lad to Exeter school
flor the son ola genius must have advan-
tages), and at last throwing up in his turn
the hard task of living. And then Ruth, a
mere girl not IL yet, with a big, barren farm,
ill-stocked and mortgaged, and a little sister
on her hands. taking up the burden quietly
and sipgly bob should never forego his col
lege and the chance of fair caree~), and
wringing from those reluctant acres indepen-
dence and comfort and even profit. Was it
not fine, brave thing. he thought, and
could heart OF man wish more generous CON-
rade or helpmeet more efficient and true
And Cousin Ruth had waited for him all
those years and now he was come home to
marry her. They would be married at once.
That, at least, was certain in an uncertain
world, fixed and certain as that he would
finish Miss Tyrrell's picture and forward it,
as per contract, within week.
dare say it incommoded Ruth to sacrifice
her capacous store-room, which, happening
to open from Bob's ed-chamber and to pos
sess sky-light, was at once promoted to the
function of atelier; but she proceeded cheer
N lr IN hor c{11ff ctr m
it away in hooks and pigeon-holes, merely
craving permission to leave some strings oil
dried apples which depended from the raft
ers. She could not find it in her heart, how
ever, to rebuke the kitchen maid, who be-
walled Justify the loss of her clothes-horse, so
she termed drying-frame. and probably
Ruth condemned in secret the perversion oil
that machine to art purposes. But she es-
teemed it her plain duty to further Bobs
wishes and forestall them if she could, so
when he had rugged tolerable easel and got
fairly to WORK, Ruth enjoined the utmost
quiet on her subjects and strove to compass
the death-like silence which she presumed
congenial to aesthetic toll.
1t was shock, therefore to the we'll
meaning girl, when she stole in on tiptoe to
announce the midday meal, to find Nellie at
Bob's elbow. giggling and prattling right
noisily, and daubing strip of canvas with
enthusiasm. Ruth disliked to scod, but
some reprimand seemed necessary.
'Why will you be so thoughtless, Nell P"
she said. "Look at all that fine paint wasted
How can Bob keep his wits with such a
din?'
ooh, let her stay" said the artist. 'sTalk-
ing don't tease me; rather helps this sort of
work"
''Does it?" said Ruth astounded, and be-
ginning to find small difference between such
work and play. "Why, Mr.. Greathead, the
Baptist minister, locks himself up for days
when he writes sermons?
'Thats what makes them so musty," said
profane Bob. '.But come here, Ruth; what
do you think of this ?'-and he pointed to
Miss TyIrelPs portrait.
II think she's lovely" protested Nellie
who had bestowed close attention to the
young lady's toilet. ''See how she does up
her hair; and the ruff round her neck-I
wish had onep'
ga comely fice, but dreamy looking" said
wide-awake Ruth, and picks up landscape
with more interest.
"That's view in the Merena," explains
Robin, .'the region you're always hearing of
in Don Quixote."
81 don't remember" said his betrothed,
obviously. SIT seems billy country. What
breed of sheep is that?-Such curly wool and
fwigtpd horns Nina ora aouopoo,, efoo1- l,,,4