Middletown transcript., 1882-01-06

| Shipped II into the CraVelng DdS. a
change of mind, doubtless, and he had
decided not to leave his deposit i'll the
vault, for he carried that bag with him
in his cab, after banking hours, when
he went home. He seemed in low
spirits, too, all the way; and it was
probably well for him that he had in
prospect an evening of amusement.
He went to the concert, truly, but he
had failed to comply with the charita-
Bile suggestion of Ruth Faraday, for she
herself could claim no great advantages
over the jewelled belle at the side of
Marvin Belford.
Shall smile on him, Ruth p asked
Gideon. I want to-
Do, please,-your very best. It's
just what I've been doing
Yes, l saw and he tried to smile
back. Failed awfully. I'll give him a
chance to try again, if I can catch his
eye. He loves me-
There you hit him.
There are a few things which Ruth
either had not yet learned or had for
gotten. For instance, you may know
a man for years and years, and you may
respect him exceedingly, he may even
be your uncle's step-son and live good
while in the same house with you, and
yet you may not become the least bit in
the world intimate with him, especial
ly if you have it in your mind that you
halfway dislike him and can't tell why.
If, however, you begin to let him slip
from "old acquaintance" into "old
friend, !" there is no telling how far he
will slip along that line you either.
1t is very slippery line. That night,
however, Ruth was in remarkably high
spirits, and Gideon had something upon
his mind which absolutely compelled
him to smile occasionally.
Mrs. John Belford had retired before
her husbands niece returned from the
concert, but he was still up, and he
waylaid Ruth as she passed the library
door. "Come in, my DEAR" he said,
as he slowly returned to his seat by the
table.
What is it, Uncle John p Her
fair face was yet flushed with excite
ment and pleasure as she stepped light |
ly in, but she quickly added, Are you
not well2 Is there anything the mat
ter p"
He was looking in her face earnestly |
and lovingly, but there was white,
strange shade on his own, as of sup
pressed and bitter pain: Nothing at
all, my dear. Listen to me : can you
keep a secret p
She was serious enough now, as she
listened to those deep, ominous, all but
tremulous tones: II can. Try me-"
at may not seem a great one just
now, but you must keep it. You are
good friends with Gideon P''
Good enough, Uncle John, espe-
cially this evening""
"The music was good ?''
GA splendid concert. But what
about Gideon ?''
He is a man to be trusted. In a
little while it will be necessary for you
to trust some one. Trust him. Not
else."
Not even you ?"
"No, not even me. am an old
rascal. He is young and honest. No
matter what turns up, trust Gideon
Street,
"What can you mean P''
SEQ to bed, now. Keep your secret.
One Of these days you will know what
mean
She tried again, but there was no
breath of explanation to be obtained
from the old gentleman. His face grew
hard and his voice harsh, but he kept
to himself all the remainder of his
secret.
The next day things seemed to go on
as usual, but if John Belford had in
tended deep and cunning plot to in
the distance in Ruth Faraday's
behavior to Gideon he had planned well
and with complete success. Even smiles
across the table died like flowers in
frost. Gideon took it all with external
calmness, and Ruth could not complain
of any attempt on his part to break the
barrier of ice she had so unaccountably
raised.
The days went by for about fort
night in a curiously chilly way, consid-
ering how fine was the bright October
weather, and then there came a great
sensation to a very wide social and
financial circle.''
Gideon Street carried it down to the
bank and delivered it to Mr.. William
Belford and his son Marvin on their
arrival. A telegram earlier sent had
missed them.
Apoplexy Dead in his bed +? Mar
vim, come right in with me. This is an
awful blow ~
In half minute more the two were
closeted in the private parlor of the
bank, leaving Gideon and Mr.. Ruggles
to spread the sensation as customers
came in.
Father" asked Marvin, chad you
any suspicion of such a danger ?''
"Knew he'd been in fear of it this
long time. He was under medical
treatment. We'll, he's gone Marvin,
this will precipitate matters. This will
be rough day T; but you can keep all
steady while 1 drive to Johns house
and back. III see Carrie and give
some directions, and then we must pre-
pare
6 For a storm {? No. I don't see how