The daily gazette., 1881-08-23
RUBY'S GHOST.
BY G. F. R.

"Do you believe in spirits, Mr..
Hardingp
And the speaker looked up seriously
from her drawing, balancing an II. B.
on very dainty little finger.
These two, Ruby Farris and Alec
Harding, would have made pretty
picture, now that Art delights in de-
| picting modern young ladies in "cos-
tImes," and gentlemen of the period,
instead of gods and goddesses In moth
| ing particular. Ruby had dear little
face, with rosebud mouth, and was
decidedly pleasant to look upon and
Mr.. Alec, who was evidently of that
opinion also, looked well matched with
her, being as natty a specimen of a
good-looking young fellow as you
might wish 10 see.
swell, that depends on what you
mean by the VOID, Miss Farris," he
repli d, abstractedly. ''It has rather
wide signitication."
81 mean," she said, laying her pencil
down, and still more serious, "tbat il
you love any one very much, it is pos
sible that they may come to you after
death--just possible, you know ?" she
added. "D0n't reason me out of the
idea, as know you are going to do. I
like to believe It,.
"Then won't say VI ord about it,"
he said, his face suddenly flushing
"but, in turn, will ask you q ques.
tion, which is of far more Importance
to me. / have been afraid to say any
thing about it, for you are so much too
good for me-but can't keep quiet
any longer. Ruby, my darling, do
you think you could"
"Mr. Raddles, if you please, miss !"
and at this most inopportune mo-
ment, lank, awkward youth was
ushered in.
| Was anything more provoking
Ruby felt as if she could have cried
with vexation and Alec glared at the
new conner as il his coming were a per-
sonal insult. Mr.. Raddles, however,
beng pre-occupied and short-sighted,
saw neither Alec's frowns nor Kuby's
bushes, but plunged into the account
of the latest croquet news, and the
base ball matches in preparation, etc.
BY the time these subjects we're ex-
hausted, the family party had collected,
and any chance for q further tete a tete
for the two was gone. Alec stood pull.
ing his mustache, and now and ther
fartively looking at Ruby, who drew
diligently, though, 1t must be confessed
more TO the detrlment of her picture thar
otherwise.
"Have you any commissions for me II
town, Mrs. Farrisp" he said, at last, rue
fully looking at his watch. 81 have t,
60 up to-day on business, but only sta,
ever one night"
"If Mr.. Harding would bring home
valuable pin, which had been repaired i
would be so much safer than sending
through the post; and line to the jew
eler could be written In moment"
When the note was written, Alec tool
leave of all Ruby's sisters In order, an
then coming to her, held out his ham
with q wislfnl look. The soft, littl
fingers were trembling and cold, bat b
felt sure they slightly returned the pres
sure; and he went away happier, thOug
disappointed.
"Ob Mrs. Farris what do you thinkp
exclaimed Miss Raddles, bursting th
next day into the room when that goo
lady was sewing. "There has been sue
q dreadful railway accident The trai
from New York has been run into an
ever SO many people killed. Poor M
Slack, and Mrs. Scanlon, at the corne
and that good-iooking young man, III
Harding. and"
"Mr. Hardingl How very shocking
cried Mrs. Farris' awe know him quit
we'll, and--oh, dear my diamond pin
Why, Ruby, my child, what Is the ma
terP"
For poor little Ruby, with dreadfl
look in her eyes, and her lips white an
parted, was stanilng close al hand. A
her mother spoke, she made step for
ward, and fell fainting. Miss Raddls
departed, amid the general confusion,
q, remark, contidentially, to a friend
two, that Ruby Farrls had fits; she ha
Just left her In one. She always thougl
that red and white complexion real
very unwholesome, though people az
mired 1t.
When Ruby opened her eyes again,
IN bewilderment, that slowly grew to
a. dull, in.olerable pain, she steadiastly r
'ss fused to answer the questions that wei
ag asked her. 81 want TO be alone, qui
as, alone," moaned the poor child; and
they laid her on the drawing-room sol
ur How shocking bright was the SUNNI
as day now though only short time sin
that sunshine had seemed to accord
ur we'll with her happy heart. They clos
the Venetian blinds, and drew hea
. curtains over the glass-door that led !
to the garden, leaving 1t little open,tf
q breath of fresh air might steal throu
!. the folds, and left her--to have nj
sleep, they said.
.. A nice sleep! What mockery all
Il. tender household sayings bad been
- her None knew Of her grief, for Ru
4. had been shy of speaking of her scarce
found happiness. She felt as If the p
Nm and future had been blotted out, as
~ nothing could ever happen again-e
had happened but this horrible eve
And yet she wondered why she CO..
hal not cry. Did she love him less than
- pet canary, that died last weekp
tCI not last week-years, ago, when she '
\ VI AZ NJ . n . ;