The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-24

thought she would Just take peep
With trembling fingers she undid the
fastenings, and lovely little rosewood
writing desk, with inlaid figures of
curious design, met her delighted eyes.
She lifted the cover, and on erimson
velvet bed were sheets of dainty-tinted
notepaper, creamy envelopes, biiou of
an inkstand and all the necessary ct
ceteras.
.Oh, isn't it just lovely2 Who could
have given it to you 2" said the girl be-
side her, esstatically.
That was the question Ruth was ask
ing herself There was no one in the
village who had shown her marked
kindness except the old doctor, who had
attended her parents in their last mo-
ments; but il could not be him. It could
be ne ole at the Hastings. Letty's
present would be all she'd get there,
unless it was-but of course it was not
him-how preposterous for the thought
to cross her mind.
81 wish I had one like it, said her
friend, tits Just the handsomest writing
desk ever saw"
"Why, your eyes shine like stars,
Ruth, and your cheeks are almost the
color of that velvet lining"
There was good1y number of gifts on
the parior table at the Hastings when
they all got home. Mr.. Campbell dis
played pair of handsomely wrought
slippers, and watchcase done with
colored silks and beads, and was pro-
fuse in his admiration of them, not be-
traying that he knew them to be the
work of the white fingers of Maude and
Marion. The girls had numerous pres
ents. They were discussing things
volubly when Ruth came in. .'Oh,
Ruth, what did you get p said Lefty, as
she pouneed, upon her. "Let us see. =
We are nearly dead to know
81 hope it is something NICE" Marion
said, patronizingly, as Ruth, with q
bright face that seemed like new
creation, displayed her treasure.
All were enthusiastic o~ar it. ssWhy
who could have given it to your" said
Marion, secretly piqued that the poor,
neglected girl had a prettier present
than any one of her own.
81 don't know of any one except old
Doctor Page" said LEFTY, fippantly;
stPerhaps he waits her for second
wife,"
Ruth's face grew redder with the
laugh this sally caused. Mr.. Campbell's
dark, grave eyes rested upon her for q
moment with some thing like admiration
shining in them.
"Whosoever gave them to me can
not thank them enough" Ruth said, as
she carried the treasures up stairs.
School esommenced after the holi.
days, and things logged OH as before.
Ruth attended it, but had as much put
upon her as ever by the family. Still
she made astonishing progress in hen
studies, and her teachers grave smile Of
approval was reward enough.
81 am going away tomorrow, Ruth. .
She lifted her eyes moment to the
face of the dignified teacher who seemed
SO far superior to her and said timidly
"Yes; I knew; l am sorry you have beer
so kind to me, and helped me SO much
that I shall never forget it.
"Ruth, DEAR in lower tone, 81
want yo1, 60 go with me"
He saw the quick blush that dyed hel
cheek. The unexpected words from the
man she had long ago learned to love
startled her.
"Why, Mr.. Campbell, what do YOU
mean2" she found words to say.
ssThat T want you to be my wife
Ruth," he said, taking her little colo
hands in his.
why, I thought, I thought" sale
Ruth, confusedly.
"What did you think?"
ST thought you cared for Marion.
ibid you2 That shows you are lack.
ing in diecernment, little one"
For moment Ruth allowed her hands
to rest in his, When she drew them
away. saving:
s'Oh, Mr.. Campbell, I can mol, I can not
am not fit to be your wife. .
'sLet me be the judge of that, Ruth.
Do you think have seen your beauti-
full accomplishing patience IN this house
without learning to admire your charac
ter? Besides, you are the sweetest,
prett:est little girl in the world to me,
and your presence in the schoolroom
has frightened it for me for months. But
if You don't like me look up and tell
me, and I will not trouble you any
more
But she did not look up, and he drew
her into his arms and kissed the red,
tremu1ous mouth. Just then Lefty
rushed into the sitting-room uncere.
moniouslYsRith ssRuthl Marion wants
you TO" and stopped suddenly, struck
dumb with the tableau that met her
eyes. Ruth STRUGGLED, her face crimson
with shame, but Mr.. Campbell held hel
close and said:
s'She can not go now. She's engaged
with me at present"
And Letty's flying feet carried hel
back, and she burst breathlessly into
the chamber where the girls sat discuss
ing their prospective spring outfit and
waiting for Ruth to dress their hair fol
them.
"Ohl girls, Mr.. Campbell has got Ruth
in his arms, and he just kissed her as
opened the door, and told me to tell you
couldn't come, she was engaged te
him."
The mortified surprise of the girls
when they found upon whom Mr.. @ Il
choice had fallen may be better imagin,
ed than described. The mystery of the
writing desk was made plain.
He Sent Her a Christmas Present.
Christmas was sorry day for young
Mr.. Woolley. For weeks he had laid
awake o. nights, thinking what he could
send his girl for Christmas present. =
Yesterday morning he again counted his
money, tucked up his greasy coat collar
and strolled into bookstore. s'Ha HAL
said he, 81 have it-a book of poems,
Il L. a A.. D~-l -