The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-04-02


ley. Here is my safeguard and his arm
stole about Ruth's shoulder so decidedly,
that | was obliged to change places with him
immedistely on account of the publicity of
the street.
Throughout that ride he seemed to over.
flow with merriment. He ntimated the old
mans manner, his conversation and his
frown; told extravagant stories of the lsdy's
smiles and attentions, and made rs laugh by
a description of the saucer eyes of the ma
bob's black servant who waited behind his
chair. Ruth smiled placdly upon him all
the while, and seemed perfectly conteuted
with his accout of the Irritation
What shall | do when you elope with
the nabob's LADY," she said as we alighted.
Follow me and shoot me through the
head with revolver" answered Charley.
at would be easier to elope myself with
the nabob," returned Ruth quietly. "You
would not be worth shooting"
There spoke Ruth" laughed her lover.
"You would never break your heart over
me- snow bird" And, somehow, sort of
| dissatisfied tone was in his voice, as he ut
tered the word--at least | imagined there
was; but it was gone before he handed us
out of the carriage.
We were working on the bridal outfit
slowly. Day by day the dainty garments
grew beneath our fingers. We sat together
in little quiet room, looking gardenward,
| IA, 81, L.,
opened inward, and rec rose vine without
fluttered its leaves and fragrance in upon us
Soft lace was looped about it and about the
bed. The floor was covered with white mat
ting. There was a great sleepy hollow"
or a chair in one corner, and marble stand
against the wall. Over the mantel hung
the picture of sleeping child. 1t was a
quiet room, just fit for quiet Ruth, and as
she sat in the soft shadow of the fine branch
es sending the needle in and out of the
snowy muslin, and hummng a low, plain
tive tune | used to think that | never saw
any one so beautiful.
Charley came every evening aud as !
watched the two sauntering arm-in arm by
the river si1e, or sitting by the piano sing
ing together, or listening to each other, |
used to please myself with fancying the hap
py married life which lay before them And
still the wedding day drew near, and the
orange flowers which were to deck Ruths
hair were budding in the conservatory.
Cbarley's old uncle, wealthy bachelor,
who had adopted him in his boyhood was
often with us. He seemed to take an
almost fathery pride in Ruth's gentle beau
ty and purity, And knew Of rich trous-
seau which was in preparation for the com
ing day. How peacefully happy we al
were. | have often wondered since that
there were no omens in the sky, no whispers
) in the air, no black clouds anywhere to warn
us of the coming storm.
| stood on the verandah one night look
ing at the moon. Charley had hidden sdier
to Ruth, and was going away down the path
At the gate he paused for me. Wrapping
my shawl about me | went down and stooC
beside him. Never in my life had / seei
sorrow seated beside Charley Campbell; bu
she was with him now. His eyes were heav,
his cheeks flushed, his head bowed upon hi
bosom. looked at him in terror withou
the power of utterng a word. He spok
first.
Mary" he said, do you believe tina
Ruth loves me?"
GAS her lite," | answered, 81 am sure o
!. it,"
He shook his head. II am not" SAT-
> he. when woman loves she blushe
: and trembles; she can never wear so col
j, and placid face, so unperturbed mer
she is quickly jealous-quickly moved t
tears. The passionate love of a warm heart
y ed woman passes all things. Mary, do nc
believe Ruth ever loved me, or will eve
II love any one.
e "Have you had quarrel" | asket
= breathlessly.
= "A quarrel? No! | wish we had. A qua
y rel would show some feeling to
touched. Ruth is beautiful, loveable crei
/, /, ture, too good for wild fellow like me; br
u a man might as well worship marble statu,
She is freezing. She chills me.
"You are speaking blasphemy?' I gaspe,
Ruth is an angel"
81 like a spice of the devil" muttere
Charley. "Well, no matter. I'm a foe
perhaps Good bye, Mary. Whether Rut
loves me or not, have loved her. / su,
pose that should content me.
He was gone among the shrubbery and
I went back to Ruth with a deadly horror
. my heart. When he came again he was Il
. same as before, and seemed to have forgott,
the conversation utterly.
Ihad not called on the nabob's lady, NJ
% she on me. We never suited each other
u caught a glance of her carriage often, al
u three times | had seen Charleys face loo
ing out of the window as it rolled by. An
= at last, a faint breath of scandal reached L
- ears, and | heard the name OF that bol
;" handsome woman mingled with Charl
Campbt ll's in way | did not like. Ru
~ heard nothing of it, however and the We
ding day was near at hand,
as 1t came at last The guests were the
- Music and hower.pertume filled the hou
" In her own room, Ruth Earle dressed in |
w. floating robes and veil, waited for the bri,
:" groom's coming, | heard, as sat by
ne window, the quick roll of a furiously dry
"o carriage. 1t paused at the gate. Some
I'll leaped out and rushed along the path a
-, up the stairs, The door was dashed will
open aud Charley's uncle stood amongst
He held a written paper in his hand and
VI eyes started from his head with passion.
ho "He is gomez he shouted-"Gone "
=, that wicked woman. lie has dared to W
aud tell me so. | have disinherited h
aud curse him with every curse that
No light ON man, May he beg his bread Fl
y or to door. May-oh, God -
BIS The wild voice broke, and he fell v