Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-01-24

loud, brisk, imperious. She heard the
door opened, shut, brief colloqff, then
the portieres draping the parlor entrance
were thrust aside and a gentleman walked
into the room bringing with him a Whit
of the frosty outer world. A young gen
leman-a very handsome young gentle
man, overcoated up to the chin, with
pair of dark blue eyes cleaning from
under the shadow of his Russian cap,
which latter he removed with alacrity as
he perceived the other occupant Of the
apartment.
For bare moment they regarded each
other in silence, Miss Ruby's brilliant
glance measuring the stranger from head
to feet.
"Well, declared"
That was all she said. The way she said
it would have disconnected any ordinary
man. But Paul Durand was not an ordi-
nary man, or 50 his friends asserted.
Il beg your pardon!" in most pro
found contrition. II was not aware the
room was occupied. The servant said
the family was from home, and entered
to await Mr.. Carson's return"
"OhF" said Ruby.
II delayed calling on him till the last
moment-I have been so rushed with
business affairs since my arrival in New
York week ago"
''From England9'
Ruby resumed her low chair as she
asked the question
'sFrom England"
81 thought so" with an air Of convic-
ton.
He stared at her
'Why-how-I beg your pardonl'
"Oh, just because they have only
knockers over there, haven't they7 l
thought you could not be accustomed to
bells.n
s'By Jovel" And then, in sudden
recollection: Tim afraid that was a
furious summons But to apologize I
must explain that I am absent-minded
and that sometimes continue doing one
thing while thinking Of another totally
different"
Ruby laughed out at the lame apology.
The stranger, all the time regarding
her keenly, came over to the mantel and
stood leaning against it.
!" Tonight, for instance" he said,
slowly, while I was tugging imploringly
at your door was wondering how a wee
witch whom l used to know was; won
dering if she had grown up into a
naughty young lady wondering if she
had ever SO faint a remembrance Of
Paul Durand."
" What 2"
Ruby leaped to her feet brown cheeks
flushing and black eyes sparkling.
Paul Durandi Such favorite when a
lad of her dear mother'sl She had
known him when she was quite little
child. But it was six years since she had
seen him and-Paul Durandl
sis it you-honestly you ?'-her slim
hand ia his close clasp. "Of course l
know now-how stupid of me 1t is the
mustache that alters you I'm SO glad to
see you? l was just as cross and lone
some as | could be. Sit right down and
let me look at you-oh, Paul, am SO
glad"
"Thank you," he laughed, finging
himself into the chair opposite; such a
welcome was worth coming home for.
And now about yourself. Why are not
you out with the Others tonight, Ruby p"
1t was delicate question could he but
have known The sweet child-face be-
fore him grew almost tragic.
s'I-I wasn't asked p in quite an an
guish of recollection.
''You weren't2" sympatheticaliy, and
with most intense interest.
sNom A mournful shake of the curly
black head.
''That is a shame, by Jove"
'Tsn't it?' frightening up now that her
sorrow seemed lighter by being shared.
'sAnd yet l don't know" deliberated
Mr.. Durand. ''If you had been asked
you'd have gone, and if you had gone
what would have become Of meg"
''That's soGn said Ruby, rehectively.
'It was better as it happened, wasn't ita
And now tell me what you have been
doing all these years."
Ten -eleven-twelvel
sTwelve-whewln y Mr.. Durand sprang
up in amazement.
won't you wait to see Uncle
Simong'
''Bless me, no. We can exist without
each other. / am not exactly yearning
to see Mr.. Carson. And now, Ruby
what big girl yon are growing, any
how. Goodnight and goodbye" /"
Goodbye, said Ruby. '1'm glad
l didn't 60 to see Modjeska."
A few weeks passed. One day coun-
ell of war was held in the Carson man
sion; the outcome Of which was Ruby
must go to school. She was young enough
to need it, Mrs. Carson declared, and
Miss Eustachia avowed that she was
growing 50 ridiculously fast. Neither
observed what Miss Eustachia's visitors
so evidently did, that the child was be-
coming rarely charming.
Before she went, however, she had a
private chat with her uncle, the result Of
which was that Mr. Simon Carson, to
,,,l,osa office came the mail bronoht her