The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1879-11-28

place ct 10 O'Clock; we'll 10 TO church
and hear Franks sermon, come home
and eat our turkey, and of on the after
noon train for O." he looked steadily
at Ruth; she at him. Il was Greek
meeting Greek. Ruth glanced 10 where
Marian was sitting, pale and fatigued.
reason than to give that poor child q
little rest. ] am going for q lamp 10
take you to your room at once" John
looked after her suspiciously, not alto.
gether assured by this sudden compli.
ance. Promise me, Marian" he said,
stepping to her aide, clssping her hand,
"pT0mise TO do a. ! wish; don't let Ruth
peftusde you TO do anything else;" and
partly because IL was 30 much easier 70
agree with than oppose her lover, but
more because Mr.. Dyer was casing In.
tently In another direction as II Quite
unaware of what was going on. promised.
Ruth reappeared, lamp In hand, and
led the way past the back room, heated
by q drum, 20 the spare chamber. cosy
and bright with Its open Are. "Therel
now We are by ouFselyeg and can have q
little peace" abe said. Don't you be
troubled In the least about being mar.
ried In such ridiculous fashion. ] can
manage John, only give me time.
shall tell him you are decidedly opposed
to It."
"But / am afraid" aid Marian, de-.
precatingly. "that 1t IL too late for
that" You See" abe stammered, rs
Ruth confronted her, with rebuking
face, 81 promised John ] would not be
persua-1 mean ] would do as he
wished"
"Well, ! declare" said Ruth.
"Please don't scold,h said Marian,
trying TO laugh, but breaking down into
such a storm of sobs and tears that Ruth
was frightened back into her senses, and
hurried her guest into bed, where she
soothed and retted her a. II she had been
one of her own babies.
"Ob, you blessed little Dot" cried
John, seixing and quite lifting her OF
her feet, as she stole softly down stairs,
What lucky chance sent you TO Scrimp
& Screws, and made you ask Marian
hereP Ruth thought Of the strange
woman and adventures" but foreoore
just then TO make any disagreeable allu-
sions.
"Do tell me-" she said, "why you
parted, and all that"
Why, there never was such Q high.
minded, sensitive girl" he said. "She
heard that her father had stolen lot of
his employ err money and decsmped, and
her pride would not let her marry any
one. What do you think of thstT and
practical Mr.. Dexter looked as If he had
never heard of an act of such heroic
self sacrifice. Ruth thought to herself
that her little tragedy had nearly degen.
Grated into q farce, but she murmured
something about "noble disinterested.
ness"
Eyes" assented John, "and she's had
a hard time of 1t, working here and
there, for precious little money"
"The exact amount being regulated,
I suppose, by the laws of supply and
demand" said Ruth, innocently.
"Pshawl" he replied. "We must not
stay here talking all night"
Ruth smiled as she heard her noisy
brother tiptoe his way up stairs, and
move quietly about in his room. "It Is
the discipline of matrimony," abe said.
Thanksgiving morning rose bright and
sunny. For q wedding gotten up on
such: short notice, this one at the parson-
age was certainly quite an affair. John
had taken five minutes in which to
explain matters and invite his friend
and partner, George Wells, who recover
ed from his astonishment just in time to
don his best coat and purchase a silver
berry dish for the bride. As for the
bridegroom he rushed into the most reck.
less expenditures, not only presenting
Marian with a watch and chain, but
Ruth with a dozen "solid" spoons, the
children each q new suit, while the
officiating clergyman received a fifty
dollar fee.
Very sweet and attractive looked the
bride, despite the old checked silk, al
she stood in the east window with the
sunlight Pickering on her hair, and q
yet more beautiful light illuminating
her face. After their return from church
they found the Misses Ellis in waiting
To them Ruth related such particular
of the story as she deemed best. Maud
looked critically at MrS. Dexter through
her eyeglasses, and thought she had q
good forehead. Clarissa listened with
many EXPLANATIONS of delight anc
thought it 30 romantic, and wondered i
they would board or keep house.
The whole family assembled on thu
piazza to see the new made couple depar
in Brookton's most dsshing turnout
Mr.. Wells accompanying them to at
tend to the duties of checking thu
trunks and carrying the hand satchel
duties which no properly behaved bride
groom ever thinks of performing TO
himself.
Miss Clarissa threw the slipper, Rutl
waved her handkerchief, the boy
swung en- the gate admiring the horses
Maud looked stately and approving, ant
the little minister stood in the back
ground beaming benignly on them all