Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1881-02-25

was like o child. OF course Rslston
nust he polite and attentive to this
stranger.
Then she whipped up the horse, aud
vas undeniably relieved when Miss
Meredith was left at Mrs. Briggs door.
Ralston came in to the house when
Ruth reached home. and they had
their delayed tete-a-tete. How tender
Ralston was How glad he seemed to
be with her once more, But was he
distract in the slightes! degreet And
what made him look at her SO curious
ly once or twicei"
In the evening he went for cigar
and stroll down the coast, and 1t was
rather odd ths: he did not AJAX her to
90 with him.
she had thought be was coming
back, but the hours went by, and he
did no. appear; aud at last. after Ruth
had struggled through q game Of chees
with her father, shs went of to her
own room. 1t would not be true to
say she was not angry, aud it WAS in
vain that she reprovsd herself for such
o state OF mind.
"He might have come-he might
have come !" she kept saying TO her
self. "Does he not want to see me,
after having been away q whole
month ?"
The next morning, when Ralston
came over from his hotel, he casually
remarked that he had called In to see
Miss Meredith the night before, to
learn how abe had endured the jour
ney.
Ruth politely inquired about the
beautiful blonde; and then. truth to
say, she spseaily forgot her, for never
was ka!s;on more loving and devoted.
When hs had gone, Ruth smiled at
herself for her unhappiness.
But now came days Of trial to tho
girl. Somehow It happened that il
she went to yak or ride, it was
thought best TO invite Miss Meredith,
and Ruth had to confess 20 herself
that under other circumstances she
would have liked this Newcomer, she
was SO cay, so geatte, 80 sood-natured,
always, aud h ad such happy power
Of amusing people.
The days went on until II was really
winter weather. Ruth asked herself
often il Miss Nered,tn were eger going
away.
Already people compiled her name al
often with Ralston ss tlsy did that O
Ruth Maynard.
"What a fright am, compared wish
heT!" said Ruth, looking OF herself in
the glass; and then, sadly "How loDf
can bear 1t and make no sign"
And Ruth ksd made no sign. NJ
one could have told shat she evan no
ticed what was eating into hor heart
she bore herself so bravely.
One evening, Miss Meredith was si.
ting in the parlcr OF Ruth's house. sh,
had been spending the day there; anC
nov, lust as the lamps were lighted
she was sitting alone, idly holding
book in her hand.
The door bell sounded. Some ID il
tina. house knew well whose ring tina
was, and Rlms hHart bounded st th'
hearing.
A hurried foot in the hall, and thel
RAlston entered. He cana rapidly
forward, his syes glAuciug about tn
room.
"Whal! are you slone9" he Asked
taking her hand in his. Then, hi
Ieyes fixed uyon her face, heiitati1g al
instant, he bent and kissed her, 52yiDi
(as he did so: "My dear Ross!"
Could not they see the trembling Q
he curtain over the window alcoV
IyonderS Apparently they did not see it
for they stood side by side a moment
he still holding her hand. Then h
said:
"Dsar, you have 40 idea how lovely
the night is, Come ana look at III,
uloonf"
Then both went toward the window
and Rals.on drew aside the curtain anc
confronted Ru.h's pale face and CLEAN
Ing eyes.
| She sesmed FOX the instant 100 pesTi
| fed TO stir, In: Stared st the two eyei
that were like Goals Of ire.
lam sorry to be in your way" Sh'
!saiS a. last, aud tried 70 move 'rcl be
position. ~,
TAers Vas something strange in Bal
ston's taoe. He pat out his nand anc
dstained her. =.
"sssy!" lie said. "Wby do you gc?'
The tone and the words seemed an in
Esult to Ruth, after what she had wit
messed. She flung of his hand.
why shorld | stay" she crte6
t"As said, l an sorry 80 be in you
way, AID from this moment l shall 10
| bel MIR. Rslston, tell you, before
third person, because never inter q {
, see you agsin--I tell you that the hstl
h farce @! bethrothal bssween us, ID enc
, edu".
, She was going on! Of the room, br
Ralstou put himself resolutely befol
q liner, apd in o dim way Ruth heard Mi
, Meredith utter an exclamation.
a "Betore you so, Ruth" said Ralstoi
WHO WAS now scarcely less white tina
0 tue girl whom he addressed, "lss II
q tell you that Miss Meredith 10 engage
& to friend OF NINE"
sin that osae," said Ruth. cslml!
- sI am sure your friend ought to be col
gratulstej. You and she are bot
II false to him, OF what possible intere
o can your communication be to meS"
( She now succeeded in putting b
hand on the door latch, but Raiato
g seized it and forcibly drew her back.
o 81 stem to me while tell yen som
. Thing morel" he exclaimed. "Yl
b eirl here" pointing 20 Miss MEREDITH
'hsvs you net really guessed who 81
Q is?"
i Ruth drew her hands across he.eye
I She began to he bewildered.
81 "GuessY" she repeated; "why shon'