The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-10

talk . little, but she repulsed his efforts
ct conversation 80 persistently that he
imagined she did not want him near her.
II shall have a 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
long time with me when I live in my
great house in the city,. won't you9 It
will be nice to talk all this over then!''
Yes, dear, I'll come - answered Ruth,
family, and trying to suppress the sobs
that would rise from her aching heart.
With the first flush of returning day,
Ruth walked slowly into the garden, her
dropping eyes scarcely noticing the dew
gemmed flowers, that seemed to ask with
odorous voices for her greeting. Her
thoughts were far away in the dark fu-
ture, struggling for hope, but finding
none.
Suddenly she was startled BY feeling a
hand placed softly upon her shoulder,
and turning quickly, she beheld Arthur
Harris.
"Ruth, 1 must speak with you. 1 wish
to know why you have avoided me so
studiously2"
81 didn't know I had,'' she faltered,
twisting one corner of her apron nervous
".
~ know it, he went on, in low rdul-
Get voice. stAnd I shall tell YOU the req
son, since you are so reticent. You think
too little of yourself. You would sacri-
fee anything for Ella.''
"What do you mean?'' she demanded,
somewhat sternly.
II mean, Ruth, that I love you and
you only, that your beauty of soul is more
to me than all else on earth. I have
studied you when you never dreamt of it.
Speak, my darling! Will you come to
my heart forever?" ",5
Her color came and went with everv
breath-her bosom throbbed convulsively
great tears stood in her eyes-she could
not speak. Clasping her hands, he drew
her towards him and reverently kissed
her brow. With a murmur OF joy she
sank upon his breast. =
"My precious Ruth"
"Oh, Arthur, I am so happy. 1 never
dreamed that you could love me!''
An hour later the family we're gather
ed at the breakfast waiting for Ar
thur. What could detain him2 He was
usually punctual. Presently the old
Quaker walked in and greeted his friends
with queer smile and cracked voice.
All regarded him wonderingly. Why
was he here again? ..
''Where did you come from, Mr.. Pey-
tons" queried Ella, in tone of disgust
tlnged with vexation.
Prom thy friend Arthu's room.
Thee did not know had been here with
him9" he answered. -. 49,.
"rhe poor man is crazy" said Mrs.
Stacey, with glance of sympathy.
mo, mother, not yet!' - .@E#
The wig and whiskers fell to the floor,
a motion Of his hand partially cleared his
moustache of powder bent form be-
came erect Arthur Harris stood before
them -.....-..
Ella grew deathly pale and sank back
in her chair quivering in every limb y
"Well, that does beat everything ever
heerd Off said John, with his mouth
wide open. w.. E.-
Mrs. Stacey and Ruth gazed upon the
young man in silent amazement.
';You will pardon this little deception,
| am sure, 1,said Arthur, glancing around
the group. It was all for purpose of
great moment to me. I wished to find
a trusting. patient heart one that
could bless a home, and I have
succeeded. From the moment that
Ruth offered char to the poor old
Quaker, I loved her, and my love has in
creased ever since. l trust my course
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-
Duke. The meal over, Ella locked her.
self in her room and wept and sobbed
the whole day long, but more from NOR
LITIGATION than sorrow. .--.
It was hard lesson for her, but it was
beneficial, inasmuch as it helped her to
conquer her unpleasant qualities and to
look down upon frivollty.
'Our wedding-day, my Ruth, my beau
tiful Ruth!' -. 1922.
Arthur Harris uttered the words in
tremuious voice as three months later he
led his bride to the altar. ..-s.
And Ella heard them, but felt no jeal-
ousy, no envy, for her heart had been pu-
ri fed by suffering, and had already cast
its tendrils round a playmate OF her child
hood -one whom she really loved-01ea-
sons Companion. ,-
The King of Spain has three sisters