Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-12-21

They do, said Robert. The house.
old has plenty Of chance for noble la
Dor in il.
Yes, | grant that answered
Ruth. But not all women have
households to labor in. Before
they find field of labor there, there are
chances for most of them to work in
other fields. don't say this because i
have to work, and am envious of those
who do not. am glad to earn my way.
say il because l see women every day,
who are dead weights on poor mems
hands. They might help, If they would.
But they seem to think it would disgrace
them to work. They say they are too
proud to, by their actions. don't like
such pride. 1t ism really pride; its real
name is selfishness, or careless indiffer-
ence to the welfare of those whose inter-
ests should be rs dear TO them as their
own. II woman could help her hus-
band, and did so, should say that there
was an exhibition of true pride. She
was too proud to be a helpless burden on
his hands.
'Bravor laughed Robert. Il like,
and agree with your sentiments; but /
frankly admit that am afraid of strong
minded women, as we know the class
from the lecture platform. You are sure
you'll never be one of themP'
Yes, quite sure of that answered
Ruth.
Then | shall not be afraid of you,
Robert said, with a smile that brought
the wild-rose color into Ruths cheeks
again. DO you know, am selfish
enough to be thinking this moment how
lonesome it will be without youP i
ought to be glad you are going. In
deed, am glad, but keep thinking of
how much there will be miss.
A month will be over almost before
you know it, answered Ruth, her eyes
dropping beneath his steady gaze that
held a tender meaning in it. Il wish
you could go somewhere for such
months rest as | shall have. 1t would
do you so much good. You need it more
than do.
Il believe | could do better work,
after it, he said. But it's out of the
question. You will have to enjoy
enough for both of US. Perhaps, in
that way, shall enjoy it, too. | often
think that whatever is a source of good
to one we care for, is direct source of
good to us because of a close sympathy
which feels and appropriates that which
is given TO another 1t comes to us
through them. Some subtle medium
transmits it because of the tie between
us, and we feel and are benefited by that
which another experience.
Il shall be glad to enjoy for you, them
she said, softly.
What were you singing when came
I'M? he asked, by and by. Robin Adair.
wasn't it?'
Yes, think so, she answered. Il
had been wandering about in book OF
old songs, and it made me think of aunt
Rachel's garden. She loves old-fashion-
ed flowers, you know. There are holly
hooks there, and lilacs, and sweetbrier
roses, and pinks-pinks everywhere.
When you get up early in the morning,
you breathe air that is scented with pink
fragrance, and il is like wine. | like
old-fashioned flowers, and | like old
songs.
Then Wen try Robin Adair. he said,
going to the piano.
How brave and noble he looks, she
thought, as she glanced shyly at him,
standing there with his empty sleeve
across his breast, and with grave, ten
der light in his eyes.
Here's the song, he said, turning
over the pages of the book to the place
where she had left leaf of geranium to
mark the place where she had been sing
ing.
What's this dull town to meP' he
hummed. 4 shall be singing that all
the time you're gone, he said,
: Robins not here. You shall be Ro-
bin to me-
She sat down TO the piano, with soft
smile on her face. There was a quiet,
happy light in her eyes. Robert won
dered if she could be thinking the same
thoughts that made such warm spot in
his heart. He believed she was. Her face
seemed to say so.
Watching him, from behind her book,
Mrs. Nugent saw him looking at the
girls face oftener than at the words of
the song they were singing.
He'll ask her to marry him before
long she said to herself, with a scorn-
full curl of the lip. And she'll be fool
enough to say yes to it. / should think
she'd seen enough of pinching and plan
ming TO make one dollar go as far as two.
If he had anything, it wouldn't look quite
so foolish to marry a one-armed man;
but when that man is as poor as church
mouse!- humph!' and Mrs. Nugent,
utterly ignoring all question of love in
the case, expressed her opinion of it by
a shrug of her shoulders, and an extra
upward curve of her not strictly Grecian
nose.
Il will keep this in memory of the
evening and the song he said. lifting
the geranium leaf from the keys upon
which it had fallen.
And you shall have this to 60 with
it, she said taking cluster of purple
heliotrope from her hair.
Thank you,' he said, gravely. In
years to come, will show you leaf and
flower, and ask you if you have forgot
ten tonight
Il shall remember she said. 4 am
not one to forget easily
Il shall not see you again before you
go, he said. Il have to Leave town to-
morrow, to be gone until Tuesday. So
/ must say goodbye now
He took her unresisting hand in his,
and held it for moment, silently. She
could feel his eyes upon her, and dared
not look up, but rosy color made her
cheeks bright.
Goodbye, he said, and God bless
YOU 1t would have sounded strange
for most men TO have said goodbye for
month in that grave way, but it did
not to Ruth, coming from the man she
loved