The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-07-22

not go to him on an errand like this.
RUTH
Nevertheless Hester did 60 to Stead
man Richings before twenty-four hours
had passed over her bonny brown head.
The next afternoon was one of those
serene and lovely ones, such as are on Y
vouchsafed to America in the latest of
the autumn, after the harvest is reaped,
and the fruits are gathered, and the sun
has only to shine warmly down upon the
children o. men, without care. The
sky, from rorth to south, from east to
west, was deep, deep blue, and only a
gentle breeze was stirring among the
tree-tops and the blossoming vines.
With infinite exertion Hester dragged
and tilted the old lounge out into the
sunny yard, and afterwafd wrapped Ruth
carefully in cloak and shawl, and half
led, half carried her out there for the
first time since May.
AS Hester sat by the rejoicing invalid,
CONCEAL, the farm hand, entered the
kitchen and laid two letters on the table.
With swift foreboding OF misfortune,
she left Ruth and possessed herself of
them. They were from the butcher and
grocer of the village, demanding imme-
dlate payment of the accounts inclosed.
The news of her loss of the high
school was already known throughout the
place.
One look at Ruth. so happy in the gol
den sunshine, and Hester's mind was
made up.
She ran to her room, made a hurried
toilet, stole out by the back door, and
took the hill road that led from the vii
lape to the Richinos u1ace
How calm and restful and happy the
grand old red brick house looked, with
its French windows, and its double
leayed doors, standing wide open to the
autumn sunshine. Two gardeners were
at work in the grounds, but not servant
was visible in the house as she stole in
through the wide hall and opened the
library door. Steadman Richings, just
risen from his writing table, hat in hand,
and ready to go out, confronted her.
He started as if he had seen ghost
entering; for Hester was now deadly
pale, and only by keeping the thought
of her errand firmly before her, could
she summon courage to go through the
interview.
go, Mr.. Richings, we are so poorw
she began, incoherently; land Ruth has
been very i'll ever since last May. She
needs nice things to strengthen her; and
I have lost the school. cannot get
them for her unless we mortgage the
farm. Will you take it into your hands
and allow us what you think proper for
it? It may save Ruth's life! 1t is for
her sake. I could not have come to see
you else" she stammered, turning Grim
son ader his fixed gaze, ,and feeling wild
desire to sit down and cry her heart out
then and there.
With an effort Mr.. Richings recovered
himself, and set about making his visitor
comfortable and at ease.
He wheeled an arm chair, of violet
velvet to the open window. and made
her seat herself in it. Then he rung the
bell for his old housekeeper, a quiet,
neatly dressed "friend," who had known
Hester and Ruth since their earliest
childhood, and their dead parents before
them.
.sThrow off your hat and shawl, Hes
ter, and stay and take a cup of five
o'clock tea with Mrs. Paynter and my
self, said Mr.. Riching, adding his en-
treaties to those of the gentle old lady.
And then catching sight of the anxious
eyes that she lifted to his face, he smiled.
| and whispered:
BE at ease, Hester. you shall have
that money, and as much more as you
| need, foolish child, he added tenderly,
''you have only to ask and have, though
it should be half of my kingdom. You
| knew that well six years ago; and have
not changed in that time, though you
have"
Mrs. Paynter had been bustline
about, ordering in her best silver, hei
prettiest china, and her choicest
dainties, in the way of cakes and pre-
serves, to do honor to her unexpected
guest.
She smiled a little to herself, as she
persistently turned her back upon hel
master, and his significant whisper.
"Who knows" she thought, tinkling
the heavy silver spoons against the costly
"dragon" china. SIN my opinion there
was always some misunderstanding a
the bottom of their separation. If they
have been brought together again by
fortunate chance it shall not be my faul
if they part before it is all explained
Friend Steadman will he happy man i
he wins her for his wife at last"
Hester sat looking on like one in
dream, as the good old lady did tn
honors of her tray.
That whisper still haunted her
haunted and puzzled her at the sam
time.
There had been one bitter drop in th'
cup of which she had not spoken to he
sister.
During Mr.. Richings' absence in Eu
rope, rumor had been rife concernin
his devoted attentions to beautiful an,
intelligent young lady from Boston, whs
was travelling on the continent with
party of his friends. Hester had hear
the news like every one else, and by day
, in many q lonely reverie at night, il
many miserable dream. she had fol
; lowed the happy pair in their wander
ings among foreign scenes. Her cheek
i had grown paler, her eyes less bright. i
} consequence; yet even Ruth, who kne
all other of her secrets, knew nothing {
7 this one.
> 1t was because of this report, becaus
she looked upon her former lover as or
t lost to her forever, as completely as
' the marriage vows had been spoken, th,
1 she had finally summoned courage
: apply to him for help for the sake
Ruth.
!. But, if this story of his approachir
e marriage was true. why should he watt
her now with glances of undisguist
happiness and affection? Why should |
whisper assurances of his friendly aid j
: such tone?
Hester's cheeks grew hotter each m
e ment as she mused over this proble1
e If she was mistaken-if rumor was