Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-28
Gales ano Skettbes.
RUTH DEANE's VISIT.
Continued from Yesterday

| u.
worthy spinster appeared before her.
STEMS letter came half an hour ago. and I
have sat like one stunned ever since. He
has been thrown from a horse, broken one
arm, sprained an ankle, and bruised him.
self terribly. He hopes we have not
started on our journey. for he wishes 10
come home as soon rs his condition will
permit him to do so. lie will take un his
studies again and behave himself. he
writes. The dear boy--I am SO glad il is
no worse. and that l shall have him at
home again. But it's so ridiculous to have
our visit delayed again. How fate must
enjoy upsetting our plans" and Ruth
laughed historically until the tears rolled
down over the half-folded garment on her
lap.
''But you can go. keturah, and we will
come on later" she added. when she had
composed herself
"Not step will bulge until You go,
ef have to wait till | am rs old as
Methus lah. I've felt it in my bones all
| along that somethin' would happen to
that boy-so pernickety an venturesomc
| no good comes of mixin' up races"
You need not say that; for see how
STEMS Yankee proclivities send him roam
ing after adventures and to see the world.
while the German part of him brings him
home to quiet study and duty. But help
me to put this torturing trunk out OF
sight" and Ruth arose from her cramped
position with regained cheerfnlness.
As she shut the trunk out Of sight in a
dark closet, she broke out airesh ITO
think how many pictures of cliffs. noun
tain and sea I've bundled into that trunk
with every package and now"
"P'raps you packed in a picture of q
great. broad-shouldered fellcr standin'
agin rock, an little woman streakin'
through the bushes, n lookin' back kind
OF scornful.'
Having delivered herself in this unex-
pectcd speech, which for mement quite
suspended her Ruth's) breato. Kcturah's
face disappeared in the pasteboard tunnel
of her calico sun-bonnet, and in spite of
her disappointment" she went smiling
back to her duties.
The marplot nephew's letter was an
swered with due speed; and two weeks
later Ruth sat one afternoon in her cosy
parlor. The light from nearly shaded
window played over her wavy brown hair
and little gray clad figure, the sombrencss
| OF the dress only relieved by u little knot
Of tiny ferns and scarlet geranium BIOS
SONS at her throat, and lit up the pages Of
the book she was vainly endeavoring 10
read. at is useless she murmured
II can neither read nor work. II is that
foolish dream of last night which brings
so vividly to mind all those bygone scenes
father, mother. Robert and Dick--dead
and living. all mingled together after the
fashion of dreams. keturah is so sure
he went away heart-broken! ! imagine,
though. that away in that wild Vancouver
with his coal mines. his wealth and with
that doctors widow that he married, he
has quite forgotten little Ruth l was
all to blame. What idiots women are
saying and doing in pure caprice what
they would give worlds moment after
to unsay and undo. But, oh. it's the
afterthought, the ehintcrgsdanke, that makes
the bitterness Covering her face with
both hands, Ruth lost all thought Of the
present in reverie of the past. The
| sound of an arriving train at near depot
aroused her, and. brushing away an I'M
pertinent tear. she exclaimed aloud
"What sentimental old thing you are,
Ruth Dean! why, you ought to be wrinkled
and gray-headed aad sensible--you are
only one of thousands-only one
W nose OSeT-nabty uTONe MIN
Past earthly joys he might secure"
She arose and opened blind that had
tempered the June hot SUM- Pulling
toward her an overhanging vine. she
gathered handful Of roses, and as she
turned away from the window felt herself,
half lifted from the floor in the clasp Of
some intruder's arms.
..Stein, dear little Stein. you great, !,
frightful darling!' she exclaimed. as her
blond haired Teutonic nephew released
her from his close embrace.
crept in the back way to surprise you
see these confounded splints, how they
bother me, and my ankle gives me twinge
at every step"
But, aunt Ruth, ] have not come alone
here's somebody who knows father-Mr.
Saywood-Aunt RutI,--why--what is the
matter? For as Stein uttered his compan-
ions name, Ruth gave slight shrek, and
stood pale and trembling, as tall,
bronzed. heavily bearded man came for
ward to greet her.
/ May come in, Ruth ?" her guest asked
with mock humility in his tone
"Dick-Richard Sayward, is it possi-
.ble?''
'lt is impossible-it is the same Dick
who used to have so little sense about wo-
men-one woman in particular he said,
taking her hands in his and leading her 10
! a seat.
II came from Victoria to place my step
son in school at San Francisco; while
there learned that my friend Leonard
was in Colorado. dropped in to see him
for old acquaintance sake, and there !
met Roberts son; and the poor bruised
rascal needing an escort, / have guided
him safe to your arms. Could / do less
for his father's son?''
II am grateful-but Di--Mr. Sayward'
blundered Ruth, half bewildered by his
steady gaze and the close clasp Of her un-
released hands, "your family-your wife
why have you not brought her with
you?''
II have no family save my young STEP
son Maynard. His mother was the wife
of my dearest friend in that rude land.
He died leaving his wife and son in my
care. She was an invalid when l marie d
her; and two years ago she died, andno
Maynard Is my sole comforter. Are you
still pitiless. Ruth-my Ruth, . he asked
lima voice husky with emotion IS Ruth'l
/