The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-04-17
THE BENTLEY FORTUNE.
BY MRS. E. BURKE COLLINS.

They stood together, beside a flowing
stream - little river winding its way
through the southern country-two persons,
man and woman. Her hand was caspcd
in his; his large, grey eyes rested lovingly
upon her downcast face.
al am waiting for your answer, Ruth, , he
said, softly.
The light in her blue eyes faded away a
troubled cloud pas ,ed over her features, and
obscured the sunlight
81 know not what to 81" she answered
in perplexed tone.
"You surely love me, RuthP"
"Can you doubt me, Ned?"
A glad smile flashed into his eyes he
i GG!!Gassiru her sTrght form in his arms.
"No-no" he answered, ,impetously, "only
when you hesitate to grant me the boon |
crave, dark suspicion creeps into my heart
that you are wandering and undecided.
"Listen, Ruth. 1t will be the easiest thing
in the world to accomplish.
"You are an orphan, and have no one to
consult. have no one, save Uncle Ned ;
and he have hopes of sometime converting
TO my view of the case.
"of course, it is unpleasant for you-ths
lonely life on this dreary plantation-the
companion and drudge for old Mrs. Icon.
But the time will quickly pass, darling, and
soon | can claim you openly"
"Uncle Ned is old, and rich, and i'll, of an
incurable disease. dare not offend him,
for am to be his heir, you know-ho being
unmarried, and cannot live very long. He
is now confined to his bed, and | am every
day expecting summons to his side. When
that summons comes, Ruth, may find
some difficulty IN leaving him again while
he lives. And my heart yearns to call you
my wife before go; then, come what may,
| will have the right to care for aud protect
you"
Cant you say yes, Ruth ?"
"But, Ned, am older than you; in time
you may regret this step. Besides, do not
approve of secret marriages"
"Neither do l., darling But this case is
81 peculiar. can see no possible harm IN
it; the secret need only be kept for little
while. And as for your first objection, tell
you, Ruth Norris, love you"
at is my first love, and shall be my last /;
you are the one passion of my life. Young
as am, am still no boy, and have seen
much of the world. If you do not marry
me, I shall never have wifel This is not
impulse, but the result oflong dcliberation." !"
Ruth clasped her hands over Ned Bent
ley's arm, and gazed long into the loving
eyes bent upon her.
"You will consent, Ruth ?" lie went on
hurriedly. ave can go to Washington
Parish in my buggy. l will have the IL
cense ready, and, IN a short time, you will
be mine forever. Then, when 60 to Uncle
Ned, will know that my-little wife awaits
my return. And will be true and good,
my darling. Oh believe me"
There was no mistaking the truth and
earnestness in the young mans voice.
No woman, loving as she did, could loug
be proof against it. Ruth bowed her head
on his shoulder and 50 they were Letrothed.
"Ruth-Ruthl Come here, I say :"
The shrll, cracked tones, broke the sweet
dream in which the two were induging.
A frown crossed Ned's boysh face
"Wait until I'm my own MASTER" he said,
saYagely, ''und I'll pay the old dragon back,
for every cross word and sour look that she
has ever given you. She shall have com
pound interest, too"
Ruth had started away, in answer to her
tyrants call.
Ned followed her few steps aud contrived
to whisper.
81 shall come tomorrow, darling; will
you be ready to go with meP"
A sweet smile answered him; and so the
two parted.
The next day was gloriously lovely. The
sky, as fair and cloudless ms a sea Of azure;
the air cool, aud laden with fragrance; the
mocking birds iubilant in the green tree
topsi the whole earth seemed aliye, and
stirring TO the sound Of unseen music.
Al breakfast, the tempest broke. For the
first time, in all her years of seryitude, Ruth
dared To ask ior holidays and-worse than
all she sought permission to accompany
Ned Bentley for drive.
Madame Leon, peevish, cross, halfdc-
mented old Creole lady, who made Ruth's
life one loHg winter dsy, and . grisvous