Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-03-12

1t work she could hear Elias joyous
laugh mingled with the deep bass tones
of their guest, and she wondered It he
had fallen in love with her beautiful sis
ter already.
. ssWhy, Ruth, what on earth ais youa'
said Mrs. Stacey, in astonlshment. aHere
you have put two napkins to Arthurs
plate. z.. :. ?, t.s@a s
Ruth redeemed to her temples. but she 3
made no answer. A pair OF brown eyes
were haunting her, and she was sure she
had seen them before this day, but when
or where she could not tell. =
At length tea was ready, and Arthur
sat beside Ella, who was in her happiest
mood, and used her bright eyes and sill
very voice with apparently good effect,
for the young man laughed often at her
witticisms and praised her delicately.
Ruth said but little, but took care that
he was supplied with all the tempting
vlands. ~~-1-ez=.-s- - = -Es..--s---=~-
''This preserve Is delicious said Mr..
Harris, bowling toward his hostess. "Fa-
ther has often spoken of your skull IN
preparing these delicacics, Mrs. Stacey"
"Ruth made these; I had nothing to
do with them" replied the mother, with
pardcnable tondness.
+ Arthur glanced quickly toward Ruth,
and something in those liquid eyes OF
his sent the blood to her cheeks, and this
fact mortified her SO that she came very
near crying then and there. =
allow silly you are to 1edden up every
time Aurthor looks at youl' said Ella,
when they retired to their chamber.
"You don't fancy that he's IN love with
you already, do youa"
Ruth did cry then, she could not have
helped it for the world-the covert al
fusion to her plainness cut her to the
heart. For moment Ella stood looking
at 1er in mingled wonder and vexation,
then her better nature came to the sur
face, ard throwing her arms around her
neck, she kissed Ruth's tear-stained face
and begged her forgiveness.
s"It's all right. Ella, only you must re-
membe, that have feeling, and that I'm
not to blame for being so ugly" and
then the salt drops flowed in streams.
| II won't ~ minute where he is,
dear; you shall have him all to yourself,
for I know you want him." said Ruth, as
she kissed her sister good night.
Days passed and Ruth kept her word
religieusly. and Ella, with enthusiastic
selfishness, called her "oest and dearect
girl IN the wcrld." At times it seemed
to John Stacey that Arthur was restless
and i'll at ease, hut of course he could
not ask him if such was the case, and the
young man.for reasons of the same order,
could not divulge the cause.
Every day they went somewhere, he
and Ella, and he was obliged to play cav
alier whether he liked it or not, and Ell
la fancied that his attentions of mere
courtesy were lntallihle signs of love. At
last Arthur invaded the precincts of the
kitchen, determined to see Ruth and
talk little, but she repulsed his efforts
at conversation so persistently that he
imagined she did not want him near her.
II shall have proposal soon, DEAR
said Ella, as she stood before the glass
fondling her luxuriant hair and smiling
at the reflection of her red lips and glis-
tening teeth. Arthur is very tender, and
looks at me dozen times an hour as if
the words were on his lips, but he dare
not utter them. You'll come and stay a
long time with me when I live in my
great house in the city, won't you2 1t
I will be nice to talk all this over thenv'
, eyes, dear, Ill come" answered Ruth,
family, and trying to suppress the sobs
T that would rise from her aching heart.
{ With the first flush of returning day
Ruth walked slowly into the garden, hel
3 dropping eyes scarcely noticing the dew
gemmed flowers, that seemed to ask with
, 0dorous voices for her greeting. He.
. thoughts were fur away in the dark flu
. ture, struggling for hope, but finding
none.
Suddenly she was startled by feeling q
hand placed softly upon her shoulder
9 and turning quickly, she beheld Arthur
Harris.
"Ruth, must speak with you. l wish
8 to know why you have. avoided me sc
= studiously2"
II didn't know had,' she faltered
, twisting one corner of her apron nervous
:, ly.
!, IL know it, he went on, in low dull.
Get voice. "And shall tell you the rea
son, since you are so rcticent. You think
] too little of yourself. You would sacri
fec anything for Ella
"What do you mean?" she demanded
somewhat sternly.
\ II mean, Ruth, that I lore you ant
: you only, that your beauty of soul is more
to me than all else on earth. I have
I studied you when you never dreamt of it
Speak, my darlingl Will you come te
. my heart forever2"
! Der color came and went with every
breath--her bosom throbbed convulsiyely
great tears stood in her eyes-she coulc
l not speak. Clasping her hands, he drew
her towards him and reverently kissed
her brow. With murmur OF Joy sh,
sank upon his breast.
"My precious Ruth
l "Oh, Arthur, I am so happy. neve
dreamed that you could love mev'
y An hour later the t,.mily were gather.
/ ed at the breakfast table waiting tor Ar
thur. What could detain him2 He wa,
: usually punctual. Presently the OLE
: Quaker walked in and greeted his friend
G. with queer smile and cracked voice
All regarded him wonderingly. VIII,
was he here again?
4 ''Where did you como from, Mr.. Pey
1 ton?" queried Ella, in tone of DISCUS
+ tlnged with vexation.
From thy friend Arthu's room
e Thee did not know had been here Will
e him9" he answered.
: "The poor man is crazy said Mrs
r Stacey, with a glance of sympathy.
mo, mother, not yet!''
! The wig and whiskers tell to tho floor
q a motion of his hand partially cleared hi
e moustache of powder-his bent form be
9 came ercct-Arthur Harris stood befor
!. them.
a Ella grew deathly pale and sank bacl
:. in her chair quivcring in every limb.
r "Well, that does beat everything I eve
& herd oil' said John, with his moutl
e wide open.
e Mrs. Stacey and Ruth gazed upon tn
y young man in silent amazement.
e "You will pardon this little deception
e l am sure" said Arthur, glancing arount
the group. It was all for purpose o
great moment to me. wished to fine
d . trusting, patient heart one tina
could bless home, and 1 hav'
: succeeded. From the moment thai
>, Ruth offered chair to the poor ole
Quaker, I loved her, and my love has in
i creased ever since. I trust my cours.
will produce no hard feelings"
| Ella sat rigid, dull light cleaning
/ in her eyes. Her parents said nothing
they felt that she merited this stern re