The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-07-18
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RUTH's GROSS.

1t was all over; the loving eyes had
smiled their last upon her; and the pale
lips had endeavored to frame some last
words which never reached her ears.
Mrs. Vennor was dead, and Ruth was
motherless.
Ruth had Int vague remembrance
Of Mr. Vennor
He was tall, and fair, and reticent,
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 u
lucky fellow ready to step into luxury,
But Rolf Grennis knew himself to be
extremely fortunate in having won the
heart of girl like Ruth even if she had
nothing but her name.
a Some three months after Mrs. Ven
nor's death, Ruth received a call from
the old family physician.
sIl"My dear child, have something to
say to you which l fear viii. seem very
cruel but | want you to try to believe
that would use the same words to my
own daughter If it were necessary"
Ruth gave him her hand confdingly,
although an anxious look drifted into
her eyes, for the doctors face was very
grave.
"Dr Brian she said earnestly, II
have the utmost confluence in, and re-
spect for, whatever you say to me-
o. ''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 a
few months?"
Ruth assented with widening eyes
and 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 ''In
Heavens name explain yourself!''
1.-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 a terrible disease in the
blood of your mothers ancestors-insan-
ity. Mrs. Vennor had a severe attack
OF melancholia when she was young
woman; had she lived five years longer,
believe she would have been hopeless
ly insane.
IAN 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 a
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 a step which
must bear terrible fruits. God knows,
nobody could feel more keenly for you
than I-your old friend"
Ruth's eyes were fixed upon his face,
but she did not seem to see him, al
though not word had failed to impress
itself upon her. n~"'b
She was recalling something which
her lover had said one evening in her
presence when the subject of hereditary
taints was under discussion.
ANY person who marries with the
knowledge of disease in his or her fam
ny, whether OF the body or brain, COM
nuts, 10 my estimation, heinous sin. :"
She had listened then, proud of his
good sense and intelligence, little think
ing that she herself would be put to the
test.
:. And now. as the full force of DR..
Brian's 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.
But she shook her head. with q smile