Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-02-01
RUTH'S ROMANCE.
CHAPTER X.

CHATTER "
Mrs. Nugent was tortured with curiosity 4
know what had taken place at Winsted. Blu
Ruth had nothing TO tell, and her step-mothe
soon came to the conclusion that Rachers plan
had failed.
''Poor fool ~ she said, resenting Ruth's nc
ton as she inferred what it must have beer
from her silence In much the light of person
al injury-"poor, silly fool! To throw aside
the chance Of life-timew
II was quite evident TO her, from Ruth's 81
lence, that she knew nothing about her agency
In the matter. Therefore, on that point she
felt safe. She expected Ruth would ask some
questions about Robert. But she did not men
ton him.
''Iler pride will not let her." concluded Mrs
Nugent. swell, the only thing gained is that
he is out OF the way, and that is something II
Is better for me that she marries 70 one than
that she should marry a one armed pauper."
During Ruth's absence, a school for such
children as those she had taught had been start
ed on a scale which made it unadvsable for her
TO attempt to compete with it. IL had already
secured most of her old scholars. There was
nothing TO do In that line She must look for
a new field of labor.
Ruth sat down and thought the matter over
long and well. She could not undertake teach
inl in the larger schools She lacked the ne
eessary qualifications. She could not teach
music; she could not paint; she could not write
for the press.
1t became clear TO her, as she thought the
matter over. that the work she attempted could
not be what the world would consider "lofty"
one. Whatever she did. she would do well, or
not at all. She could never be satisfied with
nalf-doing anything.
She put on her hat and shawl and went out
one morning without telling her step-mother
what she was going to do. When she came
back, she told her what she had done.
81 have found work at last, she said
Mrs. Nugent's tone was one of indifferent in
quiry.
al am going into Madame lie verts dress
making and millinery establishment" said
Ruth bracng herself for the storm that she
knew was TO come.
"Whatln
Mrs, Nugent faced her step-daughter with
Disguised lace.
Ruth repeated her remark.
''You are IN earnest about thisr Mrs. MI
gents tone was sharp with anger.
"Quite In earnest" answered Ruth. ''What
objections have you to itP'
lit doesn't NATTER answered her step
mother. IL might have the best reasons in the
world for Directing, but know you well enough
% know they would have no weight with you.
Dressmaking and millinery! Why not go out
TO work by the day at sewing'
Mrs. Nugent's lip curl,d scOrnfully. She
evidently felt that the family dignity had re-
ceived its death-blow.
81 would do sewing by the day, sooner than
do nothing" said Ruth. LET me state my
reasons for dong what have. / am not fitted
for teaching. To go into the schools properly
qualified, must spend at least year in study
ing the methods OF teaching, and famiarizing
with such branches as | should be expected To
teach. That Is out of the question: cannot
.aA IL Aa. hon,, IL for
while something was coming in. With nothing
coming in, and considerable going out 10 pay
my expenses In fitting for school, | am afraid
We should starve. can play little, but don't
know enough about music in a scientific way TO
teach any 9rl ten years old, who is taking les
sons of good teacher. | might get position
In a newspaper office as a type-setter perhaps,
but for doing literary work l have not the
slightest ability. Knight obtain clerkship or
do copying, but the work would be .dstasteful
TO me; and / cannot see that it would be any
more honorable than making dresses or bon
nets. You may be able to see difference be-
tween earning living by cooking, or by writing
book, or painting picture. do not. Work
Is work, whether IL is done in the kitchen or the
studio. IL cannot do anything in the list !
have named, and can make dresses that women
will be glad TO buy, then 1t is better that try
my hand at that; for am sure of the ground /
stand on, and am not afraid of failing. In the
other pursuits | should be dreading failure con-
stantly, anu KNOW tllat failure WOulu De lucV-
liable. Comparative surcess would be that with
me. Whatever do, | want to do as well as
any one can doit. had rather do good job
at making workmen's blouses than botch up
silk dress. If"
''Such talk sounds fine" Mrs Nugent said,
with sarcastic irony.
at is sensible, and true, at any rate,r respon-
ded Ruth II am sorry the plan docs not meet
with your approval. Something must be done.
| have thought what | could 90, and have
come TO the conclusion that can do this best
of anything. 1t is not exactly what j would
like to do; but what would like TO do Is one
thing, and what / can do is quite another. /
have always had q knack Of fashioning dresses
and bonnets that people OF taste told me were
often more satisfactory than those they bought
ut the fashionable shops lhave found three
girls who are skillful with the needle, and they
will go into the enterprise with me. A friend
will help us start. We have rented a rom in a
pleasant street, and next Monday morning work
will begin"
Mrs Nugent knew that remonstrance was
unavailing.
"The school was bad enough" she said 'But
this is worse. In fact, had never thought it
possible that you could stoop so low as to be-
come q seamstress.n
That reused Ruth.
~ earned my living in the school. | intend
to earn it in the shop-yes, in the shop" en-
phasizng the plebian word for the benefit of
her stepmother's aristocratic ears. "As for
STOPPING, you may consider that do that, but
do not do not consider that anv man who
works honestly for the bread he eats and the
clothes he wears, stoops. What is true of men
is true of women would rather pay my way
by doing homework, than be idle and depend
ent on the labor of Others"
SIS that fling at melr asked Mrs. Nugent,
angrily. "If IL resent 1t. My husband left me
this house, and property enough TO support me.
l am not aware that have been dependent on
your eXertions."
my father left this house and little prop
erty for his wife and child" responded Ruth.
"You see that you forget the relationship exist
ing between your husband and myself. l beg
to remind you of 1t. True, you have never been
actually dependent on my exertions, for you
could have existed on a small income. But you
are well enough aware that we would have gone
without great many comforts, II j had not
earned money to procure them In the little
school which you say was bad enough You
NAV be satisfied with scanty living, and an
outward show Of comfortable circumstances.
am not. hate sham. will not pinch and
scrimp as we have done, that / may buy a
feather or flower. You are too proud TO think
favorably of my plan, or of the work | propose
TO do. ] am too proud to consent to longer
help keep up the deception We have practiced.
am not ashamed of what l have determined
TO do. am willing everybody shall know that
John Nugent's daughter has turned dress
maker"
~ am perfectly willing that you should
make fool of yourself, II you insist on doing
So" responded Mrs. Nugent, haugAtily at
will not be the first time. We ought to expect
no more than this of girl who was silly enough
TO throw away a fortune because she lacked
spirit TO resent being Tilted by male firt."
Ruth looked at her keenly. Ii was evident
that she knew something of what had taken
place at Winsted. But she made no reply. II
was beneath her dignity to notice the insult.