The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-04-01

Charles Campbell, 1 am ashamed of
you," said
"Oh, it's all nonsense, Mary" said
Charley. "Here is my safeguard" and
his arm stole about Ruth's shoulder so
decidedly that I 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 contented
with his account of the Irritation.
"What shall do when you elope
with the nabob's ladyP" she said, as we
alighted.
Follow me and shoot me through
the head with n revolver" answered
Charley.
at would be easier to elope myself
with the nabob,n returned Ruth,
quietly. 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 handt 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
| lnn xxrt,, ,l1xr .al 4
a red rOsebush 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
mating. There was a great "sleepy
hollow of Il chair in one corner, and a
marble stand against the wall. Over
the mantel hung the picture of 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, l
used to think that l never saw any one
so beautiful.
Charley cane every evening, and rs |
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 fan
cying the happy married life which lay
| before them. And still the wedding
day drew nearer, and the orange flowers
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 fatheriy pride in Ruth's
| gentle beauty and purity. And know
of a rich trousseau which was in prepa-
ration for the coming Gay. 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 clouas anywhere, to warn
us of the coming storm.
| stood on the veranda one night look
ing at the moon. Charley had hidden
adieu to Ruth, and was going away
down the path. Al the gate he paused
for me. Wrapping my shawl about me
| went down and stood beside him
Never in my life had l seen sorrow W
seated beside Charley Campbell, but she
was with him now. His eyes were
heavy, his cheeks flushed, his head
bowed upon his bosom. | looked ut
him in terror without the power OF
uttering word. He spoke first.
Mary, " he said, "do you believe that
Ruth loves me?"
AS her life," answered, 81 am sure
oft"
He shook Ii IS head. Il am not" said
he. when woman loves she bushes
and trembles; she can never wear so
cold and placid face, so unperturbed a
mien;. she is quickly iealous-quickly
moved to tears. The passionate love ol
a warm hearted woman passes all
things. Mary, l do not believe that
Ruth ever loved me, or will ever love
any one."
"Haye you had a quarrelP" l asked
breathlessly.
"a quarrelp No! l wish we had. A
quarrel would show some feeling to be
touched. Ruth is beautiful. lovable
creature, too good for q wild fellow like
me; but a man might as well worship 6
marble statue. She is freezing. She
chills me-"
You are speaking blasphemy" ]
gaspes: Ruth is an angel"
well, no matter. I'm fool. perhaps
Goodbye, Mary. Whether Ruth loves
me or not, | have loved her. l suppose
that should content me-"
lie was gone among the shrubbery
: and | went back to Ruth with deadly
; horror ut my heart. When he came
again he was the same as before, anC
, seemed to have forgotten the converse
tion utterly.
, had not called on the nabob's lady
: nor she on me. We never suited eacl
| other. But l caught a glance of he
J carriage often, and three times had
seen Charley's face looking out of tn
window as it rolled by. And, at last,
! faint breath of scandal reached my ears
and | heard the name of that bold
handsome woman mingled with Charlie.
Campbell's in way | did not like
e Ruth heard nothing of it, however, ant
e the wedding day was close at hand.
1t came at asst. The guests wer
, there. Music and flower perfume file,
e the house. In her own room Rut
i Earle, dressed in her floating robes an
= veil, waited for the bridegroom's com
t ing. heard, as l sat by the window
g the quick roll OF furiously- driven car
# riage. 1t paused at the gate. Some on
S leaped out, and rushed along the pat
h and up the stairs, The door was dashe
wildly open and Charley's uncle stoo
It among us. He held written papet i
his hand, and his eyes started from hi
e head with passion.
n He is gone" he shouted - "Gor
7, with that wicked woman. He has dare
:. to write and tell me so. / have disir
5, herite him, and curse him with ever
curse that can light on man. May l
reg his bread from door to door! Ms
o oh, Godw
The wild voice broke, and he fell wit
- blood starting from his lips, full lengt
upon the floor: When we raised hi