The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-14

4 part VI WHICH runs IN this wise: NOW
Nell, be good girl and do me favor
Have dress made to fit yourself, some
thing white, such as you girls wear t.
Picnics and such places, and send to ms
by express. Mind, | want all the fol dt
rois, just what you'd get for yourself
and no comments to any one, please
The next day Ruth lays the six dol
lars in her mothers palm, feeling vel
repaid for her sacrifice when she hears
the tender words of blessing and feels
the caressing touch on her dusky head
No more is said of the picnic, and Ruth
with the elasticity of girlhood recovers
, from her disappointment the more read.
lily that Bruce Forester keeps more
: closely by her side, and Ada Marchmont
Is for the time being totally neglected,
and so the all-important day, to 80 many
young and joyous hearts comes round,
dawning bright and clear as picnic DAYS
always should. with skies so warm and
blue, and Ruth stands beside her win
dow, securely hidden by the white drap-
cry, watching the gay party as they 60
past the gate, and straining her eyes for
glimpse of Ada Marehmont and her
: cavalier, for Mr. Forester had left the
/
ished, and she nothing doubts his hav-
ing sought the city belle. So little
thrill of Joy goes through her as she
fails to see his familiar face, and now
the hours will not seem half so long. 1t
IS quite early vet, and she hastens down
10 help her mother, never guessing that
Bruce in his own room waiting till she
be safe below stairs; so it is still far from
noon, when returning to her chamber
for moment. she is astOnished by the
sight of large box securely wrapped
and corded, in the middle of the floor
She pauses in utter bewilderment-what
is it, and how came it there? Miss
Ruth Cleveland, Brierwood," is the ad-
dress, and with trembling fingers she
undoes the knots and paper and lifts the
lid to find within what seems to be
dress ready for wearing.
"Oh! mother, come here, quick" she
calls excitedly, and Mrs. Cleveland,
startled by the tone runs hastily up the
stairs.
Gust look, mother, what does this
mean; is it a fairy god-mother or
what?' cries Ruth, lifting the folds of
soft, creamy white from their resting
place, and Mrs. Cleveland stands as
amazed as her pretty daughter, who is in
Il state OF delightful excitement.
Look, mother, but isn't it just too
lovely for anything" for by this time
the dress is on with its rich embroidery |
and dainty knots of pale blue ribbon,
-'and see how nicely it fits, too. Now
| can 90 to the picnic" /" with radiant
fare
''But, Ruthie, the party have gone,
yOn cannot ga alone, and Ruth's face
sobeIs, for this is point she has mo
mentarily forgotten.
II suppose Aunt Sarah sent this, but
how it got into your room is a mystery"
continued Mrs. Cleveland: "Im so
sorry it did not come Yesterday, and then
you could have gone; but peyer mind,
there will be plenty more"
''Yes, guess SO" rather dejectedly,
but at this moment her bright eyes dis
cover a well-kn0wn figure sauntering
up the garden path, and in an instant
she flies down the staircase.
"Oh! Mr.. Forester, haven't you gone2
can go after all, that is if" pausing
and coloring as she remembers that he
may have made some other engagement.
THAT is if will take you" finishing
the broken sentence. "Can you doubt
it?' while his eyes rest on the slim
white robed figure, the glossy rings of
hair and the happy, blushirg face with
a fond admiration impossible TO mis-
take.
so you've changed your mind, quiz
zingly, ''as | thought you would, Miss
Ruth, so came to see. Get your hat,
| will be with YOU presently" and the
III
for the desired article while he brings a
low phaeton to the door. Goodbye,
mother, don't be lonely till / come
back" donning hastily the wide
brimmed straw with lis floating rib
bons" "How lucky that / chose blue
ribbon, and OH isn't it nice in Mr.. For
rester" with little ecstatic kiss on the
faded cheek
every nice, but be careful dear" and
the mothers eyes grow dim, as she
watches the pair drive off, for she has
not been blind to Bruce Forrester's feel
ing for her only child, and knows that
her lot is like that of all mothers, Ito
bear, to nurse, to rear, to love and then
To lose"
The two young people bowl smoothly
over the level road, chatting brightly, ,,
but Bruce can wait no longer, and ere
the picnic grounds are reached the
words are spoken which link their lives
together forevermore.
"And you viii not regret being the
wife of poor school teacher, will you.
Ruth, even though may not be able to
keep you from work, nor give You snch
things as this, touching the dress she
wears.
81 have not been used to many such,
she answers simply, "for we are quite
poor. Mr.. Forester, and | could not
have gone to day if Aunt Sarah had not
sent me the dress, and we owe some
money, too, a debt of fathers OIL
Bruce, cannot marry you until that is
paid.p
"Can't you, little Ruth, not il pay it
for you?"
"You !" surprisedly, "but you are poor,
too
''Would you love me any more or any
less if was notg looking down into her
shy, sweet face.
Il could not love yon either more or
less for any reason-whither thou goest
| will go, and thy people shall be my
people" The low, musical tones thrill
his heart in the words of Ruth of old, ,
and at the risk of both their necks he
drops the reins and presses her passion
ateIy to his breast. My own darling,
you shall not be unrewarded." But all
e-making is at an end for the present
they are nearing the joyous crowd,
many Of whom come forward to welcome
them. and so it is not until they are
driving home beneath the starlight that .
NJ h md talk #
his betrothed that he is not what she
supposes, a poor teacher, but one OF the
wealthiest men in his native city, who
has taught these weeks, keeping his real
position unknown. merely for whlm.
And when they reach BrIefwood ne re-
peats his story to Mrs. Cleveland, beg.
ging her consent 70 the marrlage and
Offering her home with them. 80 IN
the early fall the wedding takes place,
and the three go to the city. but L e
not until nearly year later that kntn
discovers the secret OF the dress enc =
preparing for summer trip and dresses.
bonnets and mantles are scattered over
chairs and tables, when her young sister
in.law runs in for a moment, excialmlng
IS she catches up the well remembered
white snit With It's knots Of blue, OIL
Rnthie. / never knew how you we're
nIeased with my choice, and how i ht.
youf'
ssyranr choicel why, what do you
mean. Nellie7 Aunt Sarah sent me that
sIfess. and I wore It to the picnic the day
Renee asked me to be his wife
8 Aunf Sarah! and Nell goes OF n
iit e laughter, athen must be Aunt
Ssrssh. for i certainly sent il, though ol /
canrse 81. .rs.s Bruce sent to me for i, !, and
tl,en sl,sss 4 all comes out, and when her hns-