The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-07-28
RUTH'S CROSS.

. 1t was all over; the loving eyes had
b smiled their last upon her; and the pale
lips had endeavored to frame some last
words which never reached her ears.
Mrs. Nennor was dead, and Ruth was
motherless
Ruth had but vague remembrance
of Mr.. Nennor.
He was tall, and fair, and rcticent,
and had died of consumption many
years ago.
Now all the magnificent property
would fall to the girl, and she had a
lover whom worldly people called a
lucky fellow ready to step into luxury.
But Rolf Grennis knew himself to be
extremely fortunate in having won the
heart of n girl like Ruth even if she had
nothing but her name.
Some three months after Mrs. Ven
nor's death, Ruth received call from
the old family physician.
MY dear child, have something to
say oyou which | fear vii! seem very
cruel; but | want you to try to believe
that | would use the same words to my
own daughter ii it were necessary"
Ruth gave him her hand cOniidingly,
although an anxious look driftcd into
her eyes, for the doctors face was very
grave.
''Dr. Brian she said earnestly, 81
have the utmost confluence in, and re-
spcct for whatever you say to me"
MY dear, | feel the truth of your
words, and would to heaven that duty
did not so sternly point my way. Ruth,
you intend to marry Rolf Grennis in n
few monthsp'
Ruth assented with widening eyes
and a deepening color in her fair cheek.
Child, that marriage must never
take place. Hush! do not interrupt me.
| have much to say to you. My poor
girl, you must marry no man. To do so
would be criminal"
"Dr. Brian!' gasped Ruth, pale now
from the violence of her emotions. sin
Heavens name explain yoursclfr'
"The old doctor shook the two hands
which she extended so appealing
towards him, and went on huskily, a
great pity shining in his kindly eyes.
There was terrible disease in the
blood of your mothers ancestors-insan-
ity. Mrs. Vennor had severe attack
Of melancholia when she was young
woman; had she lived five years longer,
| believe she would have been hopeless
ly insane.
"All this, know, has been strenu-
ousIy kept from you; but it is my opin-
ion that the words which your mother
vainly attempted to articulate upon her
death-bed would have been at once
confession and caution to you, her
child,
The faint of insanity may never show
itself in you, but it is almost certain to
ruin the lives of your children. There
fore, my dear Ruth, be brave and wo-
manly, and refrain from n step which
must bear terrible fruits. God knows,
nobody could feel more kccnly for you
than Your old friend
Ruth eyes were fixed upon his face,
but she did not seem to see him. al
though not a word had failed to impress
itself upon her.
She was recalling something which
her lover had said one evening in her
presence when the subject of hereditary
taints was under discussion.
Amy person who marrics with the
knowledge of disease in his or her fam
ily, whether OF the body or brain, com
mits, in my estimation, n heinous sin"
She had listened then, proud of his
good sense and intelligence, little think
mo that she herself would be put to the
test.
And now, as the full force of Dr.
Brians words rushed upon her under
standing, the world seemed to drift from
beneath her feet
She threw up her hands with little
anguished cry, and the good doctor
sprang forward in alarm.
Rut she shook her head, with smile
more terrible than storm of tears.
DO not fear for me, dear friend; |
viii 10 my duty, cruel as ii seems. But
i must go away from this place. Later
on | will come TO you for advice. Leave
me alone for while. please"
He went away with a warm shake Of
the hand, and Ruth went to her room. TO Il
write long letter TO Rolf Grannis.
A brave, womanly, heroic letter, re-
pressing much of her own anguish in or
der TO spare him every possible pang
while she laid the truth before him, on
~ begging that he would not try to see
her again; for her heart shrunk weakly
at the thought of the agony of parting
with his loving arms about her, and his
dark eyes looking into hers.
Then she left the city and joined
training school for nurses in distant
hospital.
This delicately nurtured girl, accus-
toned TO great luxury, entered upon her
new life with firm bravery that was
heroic. No. martyr at the stake ever