Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-04-29

ton long ago. She is one of the madcap
girls / used to like before I met my
snowbird here, and my face remained in
her memory. She introduced me to her
husband, and he invited me to breakfast.
I revengei myself for the, spices which
burned LILY tongue by burning the old
fellows heart with jealousy, and talking
mysteriously of old times. He did not
invite me to call again; but she did, and
l am going"
"Charles Campbell, am ashamed of
you," said.
"Oh, it's all nonsense, Mary" said
his arm stole about Ruth's shoulder 30
decidedly that / was obliged to change
places with him Immediately on account
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 ladys smiles and attentions, and
made us laugh by description of the
saucer eyes of the nabob's black servant
who waited behind his chair. Ruth
smiled placldly upon him all the while,
and seemed perfectly contented With his
account of the Irritation.
"What shall | do when you elope
with the nabob's LADY, she cried, as we
alighted.
"Follow me and shoot me through
the head with revolver" answered
Charley
cit would be easier to elope myself
Ill Ill Il
ly. "You would not be worth shoot
ing"
"Wel spoken, Ruth" laughed her
lover. "You would never break your
heart over me, snowbird" And, some
how, a sort of dissatisfied tone was in
bis voice as he uttered the words-at
least, / imagined there was, but it was
gone before he had 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 to-
gether in a quiet little room, looking
greenward, which Ruth called her own
The window opened inward, and a red
rosebush without futtered it's leaves and
fragrance in upon us. Soft lace was
floor was covered with white mating.
There was great "sleepy hollow " of a
chair in one corner, and marble stand
against the wall Over the mantel hung
the picture of a sleeping child. 1t was
quiet room, just fit for quiet Ruth, and
as she sat in the soft shadows 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 80 beautiful.
Charley came every evening, and as |
watched the two sauntering arm-in-arm
by the river side, or sitting by the piano
singing together or listening to each
other, used to please myself with fam
cying the happy married life which lay
before them. And still the wedding day
drew nearer, and the orange flowers
which were to deck Ruths hair were
budding in the conservatory.
Charley's old uncle, a wealthy bache- |
lor, who had adopted him in his boy
hood, was often with us. He seemed to !
take an almost fatherly pride in Ruth's
gentle beauty and purity. And | know
of a rich trousseau which was i'll prepa
ration for the coming day. How peace
fully happy we all were! l 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
adieu to Ruth, and was going away down !
the path. At the gate hepaused for me.
Wrapping my shawl about me | went
down and stood beside him. Never in
my life had seen sorrow seated beside
Charley Campbell, but she was with him
now. His eyes were heavy, his cheeks
flushed, his head bowed upon his boz
som. looked at him in terror without
the power of uttering word. He spoke
first.
"Mary," he said, "do you believe
that Ruth loves me?"
GAS her hfe," l answered. 81 am
sure of it."
He shook his head. 81 am not, said
he. "When woman loves she bushes
and Troubles; she can never wear so cold
and placid face, so unperturbed n mein;
she is quickly Enthusiastically moved to
tears. The passionate love of a warm
hearted woman passes all things. Mary,
| do not believe that Ruth ever loved
me, or will ever love any one"
"Have you had quarrel?" i asked,
breathlessly.
GA quarrel? No! / wish we had. A
quarrel would show some feeling to be
touched Ruth is beautiful, lovable
creature, too good for wild fellow like
me; but a man might as well worship
marble statue. She is freezing. She
chills me-"
"You are speaking blasphemy!" L