Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-04-02

burning the old fellows heart with jeal-
ousy, and talking mysteriously of old
times. He did not invite me to all
again; but she did, and l am going.n
"Charles Campbell, am ashamed of
you," I said
ooh, it's all nonsense, Mary" said
Charley. Here is my safeguard" and
his arm stole about Ruth's shoulder so
decidedly that l was obliged to change
places with him Immediately on ac-
count of the publicity of the street.
Throughout that ride he seemed to
overflow with merriment. He initiated
the old mans manner, his conversation
and his frown; told extravagant stories
of the lady's smiles and attentions, and
made us laugh by description of the
saucer eyes of the nabob's black serv.
ant who waited behind his chair.
Ruth smiled placidly upon him all the
while, and seemed perfectly contanted
with his account of the Irritation.
"What shall l do when you elope
with the nabob's ladyP" she said, as we
alighted.
"Follow me and shoot me through
the head with revolver" answered
Charley.
"It would be easier to elope myself
with the nabob," returned Ruth,
quietly. Z" You would not be worth
shooting"
"Well spoke, Ruth" laughed her
lover. "You would never break your
heart over me, snowbird." And, some,
how, a sort of dissatisfied tone was in
his voice as he uttered the words-at
least, | imagined there was, but it was
gone before he had hand( us out of the
carriage.
We were working on the bridal outfit
slowly. Day by day the dainty gar
ments grew beneath our fingers. We
sat together in quiet little room, look
ing greenward, which Ruth called her
own. The window opened inward, and
red rosebush without futtered its
leaves and fragrance in upon us. Soft
lace was looped about it and about the
bed. The floor was covered with white
mating, There was a great sleepy
hollow" of a chair in one corner, and a
marble stand against the wall. Over
the man tel hung the picture of a Sleep
ing child. 1t was quiet room, just fit
for quiet Ruth, and as she sat in the soft
shadow of the fine branches, sending the
needle in and out of the snowy muslin
and humming low, plaintive tune,
used to think that | never saw any one
so beautiful.
Charley cane every evening, and as |
watched the two sauntering arm-i in arm
by the river side, or sitting by the piano
singing together or listening to each
other, used to please myself with fan
cying the happy married life which lay
before them. And still the wedding
J,1 Il +l,o A1x1
which were to deck Ruth's hair were
! budding in the conservatory.
Charley's old uncle, wealthy bache-
lor, who had adopted him in his hoy
| hood, was often with us. He seemed to
take an almost fatherly pride in Ruth's
gentle beauty and purity. And l know
ola rich trousseau which was in prepa-
ration for the coming Gay. How peace
fuiiy happy we all were! I have often
wondered since that there were nc
air, no black clouas anywhere, to warn
us of the coming storm,
| stood on the veranda one night look
ing at the moon. Charley had bidder
adieu to Ruth, and was going away
down The path Al the gate he pauseC
for me. Wrapping my shawl about mt
| went down and stood beside him
/ Never in my life had l seen sorrow
seated beside Charley Campbell, but sh'
was with him now. His eyes wer
heavy, his cheeks flushed, his heat
bowed upon his bosom. l looked a
him in terror without the power o
uttering a word. He spoke first.
Mary" he said, "do you believe tina
Ruth loves me?"
"As her life" I answered, I am sur
oft"
He shook h head. Il am not" sal
he. when a woman loves she blushe
and trembles; she can never wear s
cold and placid face, so unperturbed
mien; she is quickly iealous-quickl
, moved to tears. The passionate love {
, u warm hearted woman passes a
things. Mary, l do not believe tha
Ruth ever loved me, or will ever Iov
r any one"
) "Have you had a quarrelP" I asked
s breathlessly.
: "a quarrelp MOI l wish we had.
!. quarrel would show some feeling to
? touched. Ruth is beautiful. lovab
: creature, too good for wild fellow lii
G me; but q man might us well worship
t marble statue. She is freezing. 81
chills me-"
e "You are speaking blasphemy"
|. gasped. truth is an angel"
d well, no matter. I'm fool, perhap
Goodbye, Mary Whether Ruth Low
1t me or not. have loved her. l suppo
1T that should content me-"
IS He was gone among the shrubber
)r and | went back to Ruth with dead
lie horror at my heart. When he car
i'd again he was the same as before, al
lg seemed to have forgotten the convers
ed tion utterly.
We had not called on the nabob's lad
w nor she on me. We never suited ca
ed other But caught a glance of /
US carriage often, and three times had
seen Charley's face looking out of t
d, window as 1t rolled by. And, at last
on faint breath of scandal reached my ca
at aud / heard the name of that bo
1 handsome woman mingled with Char
CampbeI's in way | did not III
he Ruth heard nothing of it, however, q
de the wedding day was close at hand.
1t came at ,ast. The guests W
i'd, there. Music and flower perfume fiji
he the house. In her own room RI
)m Earle, dressed in her floating robes {
as veil, waited for the bridegroom's &C
int ing. / heard, as 1 sat by the windC
ing the quick roll OF n furiously- driven {
lief riage. 1t paused at the gate. Some
as leaped out, and rushed along the p
18th and up the stairs, The door was das
wildly open and Charley's uncle st
out among us. He held written papet
his hand, and his eyes started from
one head with passion.
an He is gone!" he shouted - &c
ely, with that wicked woman. He has d
.. to write ana tell me so. nave OIL
lrs, herite him, and curse him with e'
teg his bread from door to door!
Do oh, Godw
The wild voice broke, and he fell '
L L..ll l..