Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-01-11

IF you were asked to act as agent for
Ruth, how can blame you?' he an
swered. Il am utterly in the dark,
Mrs. Nugent Please satisfy the curl
osity you have aroused.
Il will do SO Mrs. Nugent read, in
II quavering little voice, part of her Sis
ter-in-iaw's letter. She was careful TO
read only what would give him to UNI
derstand, with what she had already
said and was TO say, that the proposed
marriage would be looked upon favor
ably by Ruth, if she could only be salts
fled that Robert Haviland did not con-
slider her bound to him by any tacit en-
gagement.
1T is very delicate matter she
said, when she had finished reading the
letter, and replaced il in its envelope.
Very delicate for me to talk with you
about, and especially so for Ruth, since,
rs l infer, there is no engagement exist
ing between you. That explains.
suppose, why she could not write to
| you.
Let me see if understand the mat
ter clearly, Robert said, brushing his
hand across his brow, as if bewildered.
1T is so sudden, so-so--unexpected
Miss Nugent invited Ruth and this Mr..
Ford to visit her, hoping to effect a
marriage between them. They like
each other, but Ruth tells her aunt that
she cannot do as she wishes, and gives
her reason to think, from what she says,
that she considers herself in honor, if
not by words, bound TOTO me. But as
| infer, from what you have said, you
have been asked to ascertain my views
on the subject. If am willing to fore
go all claims, there will be no difficulty
in the way of Miss Nugent's carrying
out her plans successfully. Am rightp
Is that what | am expected to under
stands?
Il suppose it is answered Mrs. Nu-
gent, never once lifting her eyes to his
face. It's miserable affair wish |
had refused TO have anything to do with
it..
He walked to the window, and stood
there for some time.
You can tell Ruth'-he said, by and
by, coming back to her chair.
i want to tell her nothing, answered
Mrs. Nugent. Whatever you have to
tell her. were better told by yourself.
Il shall not see her, he said. Ishall
leave for the west tomorrow
TO be gone long? asked Mrs Nugent,
with citation. Her plans were working
more successfully than she had dared
hope. She saw that by his face.
Il cannot tell how long / shall stay
there, he replied. i have been offered
position on newspaper in Chicago,
if | could begin work Immediately. |
had intended, until within the last few
minutes, to decline the offer. Now |
have decided to accept it,
Then if you have anything to say to
her, write it. said Mrs. Nugent. Il have
done what | was forced by circumstances
to do. l care TO have no more to do in
the matter.
He went to the writing-desk which
stood on the table, and wrote n few
words.
You can send that to her. he said.
His voice had different sound in it
from anything Mrs. Nugent had ever
heard before. a light had gone out of
his face. He seemed to have grown old,
suddenly
Wen, goodnight, goodbye, he adj
ded, and gave her his hand She touch
ed ii lightly. She did not feel like shak-
ing hands cordially with the man she
had deceived so cruelty. A recollection
of something she had read, years ago,
in an old-fashioned book called the
Bible, came into her mind, something
about man and woman, whose names
were Ananias and Sapphira.
Goodbye she said. Il hope you
don't blame Ruth too severely. She
was probably influenced by her aunt's
wishes
oh, not ut all, he answered. coldly,
and falsely us well, for he could not
help blaming her. She is only consult
ing her own best interests. / was mis-
taken in her, and it hurts a little to find
it ont. Goodnight.
TO BE CONTINUED.