Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-02


made, and forgot all about him when she had
crossed the hedge.
But the next day, as she sauntered along the
path, a sudden sharp Cry startled her-a child's
cry for help. 1t came from the river bank and
as she ran towards 1t she understood its mean
ing. The youngest Of the children, the little
heir of the house, had slipped and fallen into
the stream. The nurse was running up and
down. wringing her hands. and the two child
rem were screaming for help. The water was
not deep. but child can drown in very little.
and when she reached the bank he had gone
under for the second time.
Run to the house for help" she cried TO the
chlldren but even as she spoke she had her
climbing down the bank. 1t would ruin her
dress-even then she thought Of that-but she
waded In bravely, half supporting herself by
clinging to vine that curtained the slope. 1t
might give way-it certainly would if the boy
struggled and she lost her balance; but it was
the best she could do. She was not conscious
OF any special heroism. Other people would
doubtless come to pull them both out later but
the moments were precious, and the child
anu mere he came up again. just out of her
reach. She dropped the vine, took the step
needed to catch him, and fell with him to the
muddy bottom.
Ruth Bennett was chiefly conscious of her
ruined dress and mud-bespattered face when, a
minute later she climbed up the bank with her
burden. The gardener and coachman were
there; Mr.. Hale was there too; but he let the
others help her up. and his paternal raptures
did not extend to taking his dripping son and
heir in his arms.
Garry him up to the house, Bates" he said.
was unhurt, land put him in bath-tub at
once And You, Miss Bennett"
II need to go into one too" she gasped, try
ing to wiring the water from her skirts. Her
ears were roaring with the water in them; she
felt as if she had been drowned and come to
life again; but it was the comedy of the situa-
ton which chiefly occupied her even then. and
MI. Hale divided mind between his wish to be
properly grateful and his Disguised sense OF
her dripping condition. And then. woman
like, as she tried to pick up her dress with
some light remark on its state she cried instead
II hope you haven't hurt yourself Mr..
Hale said, evidently not knowing what to say
II am deeply grateful, Miss Bennett-more
than can eXpreSS-and should be very sorry
for any consequences to yourself
''Oh. it's nothing" Ruth answered. as soon as
she could speak .'The only consequences to
myself are ruined dress, and that's a proper
revenge of fate. 1t was to save this dress-it
was so new then, and 30 pretty" she added, pa
theticall y-"that trespassed on your grounds
six weeks ago. | hope you appreciate the fact
OF the Nemesis" And Herewith she held up the
torn and streaming silk to his astonished eyes.
~ on won't eXaggerate my herOism," she went
on, 'if l tell you that thought more of this
than anything else when | went into the river
l knew there was no real danger if l kept
steady head But hope the little boy won't
take cold; and as that is my only danger Just
now" And before Mr.. Hale could recover
himself to find speech, she had swept him
hooking courtesy, and was flying toward the
Alexander house much as he had seen her speed
six weeks before.
Miss Bennett" Mrs. Alexander said. few
days later, coming into the library after the
children had gone, 81 have commission to dis
charge. It's rather peculiar one but hope
you won't mind such thing coming through
third person. OF course the situation is peculiar
and rather delicate for Mr. Hale. He thought
he would rather put it into my hands; that is,
rather let me find out first your-your feeling
about it," -.
Miss Bennett looked up bewIldered 81 don't
understand, Mrs. AleXander. Is it about the
little boy? Does Mr.. Hale want to reward me-
a deep flush sufused her tairness-''for what
did? / couldn't take his money. of course"
II don't know that he would look at it quit
In that light" Mrs. Alexander answered. at
probably helped to bring matters to a climax
with him. Indeed he intimated as much And
perhaps ii is reward OF virtue. Certainly it is
quite after the story-book style, but you are
pretty enough and bright enough as told him.
for almost any position. He is self-made man
himself; it isn't such a wonderful condescension
when one remembers that. He couldn't expect
to marry into the MdXrtO'cer. for all his wealth.
Miss Bennett felt as if her senses were play
ing her false. ''YOu don't mean-you can't
mean" she cried, ''that he wants to marry me?"
Mrs. Alexander put her arm about her sooth-
lngy. Il suppose it is rather overwhelming
my dear. 1T was to me at first. But, after all
why should he not? There are the three chill
dren. oil. course, and he's twenty years older
and he hasn't much besides his money to rec
0mmend him; but it would be splendid home
Tor you, dear. 1t seems he has watched YOU
ever since that time you treSpasscd. And he
has made inquiries of me. He began making
them some time ago. but / didn't notice. /
thought perhaps he wanted gOverness OF
course | gave you the highest recommends
TONS" she added, laughing. Though I didn't
Know the position he wanted you to fill He
seems quite sure OF his own feeling, and it is
certainly great triumph for you. my dear"
Miss Bennett sank back into the chair from
which she had half risen. Her mind plainly
could not take in the new situation; but she
came to herself when Mrs. Alexander went on
'of course you may want time to think it over
but he would like to see you this evening, and
he hopes for an answer then"
"Oh. Oh. Miss Bennett cried. sprnging to
her feet. There's no use. / couldn't if my life
depended on it, tor-lm engaged to some one
else. And never knew-indeed, never knew,
Mrs Alexander until a few days ago that
Philip was his nephew. You see," she went on
Dreathlessiy, his sister with me at school,
and that was the way | learned to know him
And Mr.. Hale was very angry at his engaging
himself to 'dOwn-East SchOol-ma'am' as he
called me. He had promised to help him be-
fore, but-but they quarreed over me- and Phil
went west and came here. And it was only
fortnight ago that | wrote him--because /
hadn't much else to Writc-al about nv tres
passing, and what had come of it. And he an
sWered-l had his letter last week: That's nv
old dragon OF all uncle, and if you've won one
concession from him. perhaps you could do
more. II he learned to know you he might
THINK differently about our engagement and
though don't need any of his help now. still
ne 3 my nearest relative, and should like to be
on good terms with him.. And had been hop
1ng-Dut now-nOw you see how impossible it
Is And If Phil has his own way to make and
we may have to wait a long time, and perhaps
always be poor. love him too much to mind"
The soul OF young love and trust was in her
eyes as she looked up at Mrs. Alexander and
the Woman's heart in her was touched. 1t was
the philosophy OF the Babes in the Wood indeed:
She could have overturned it with touch of
worldly common sense; but she only bent nearer
her, and then suddenly Ruth felt kiss on her
forehead, Kiss OF mothers comprehending
love.
But when she had cooled little from this IN
expected touch Of enthusiasm. Mrs. Alexander
had her plans She met Mr.. Hale herself that
evening: she coniOunded him with the news that
the school-nIa'am despised for his nephew was
his own elect; and she followed up her advant-
age till he consented to express his gratitude to
Miss Bennett by the gilt of a hone-of which he
should not be master And since yonng Philip
was doing well at the west, and needed no more
OF his uncies help the new home was hardly
ready before he could claim its mistress Only
one touch of romance Mr.. Hale allowed himself
the wedding gown which replaced Ruth's I'M
lucky dress.-Hd,per's Bazdr.
-.