The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-06-28

uneasiness / noticed that she seemed
preoccupied and distrait all the rest of
the day. And the next morning-but
you have already guessed what l Was
going to say-she was gone; yes, and
have never got clew to her where
abouts since.
] ceased speaking, because my voice
trembled so could not go on; my |
young friend was sobblng audibly.
Suddenly the brass knocker upon my
door sent loud clang all through the
house.
Florinel started nervously.
"Perhaps something Is wrong at
home and they want mel'' she said,
with clasped hands; for it was very sell
dom that any other visitor save her own
sweet self and Mrs. Bledsaw, her moth
er, visited my lonesome home.
"Bettyl" 1 called. ''Betty, go to the
door, and if it is tramp give him food
and send him away. If it is any one
come for Miss Florry come and tell me
directly"
We sat listening breathlessly-we
scarcely knew why--to her feeble foot
steps along the hall.
The heavy door creaked slowly open.
Then there was a pause, followed by a
loud cry that made my heart jump and
1utter like frightened bird. 1t was.
"OhI Miss Rubyl Miss Ruby! Have
ye come back to us againP"
miss Monna, she has returned your
child. Go and receive herp Florry
was far more self-possessed than myself
now, for was all trembling and shak-
ing in the excess of my sudden joy, so
that l seemed unable to move from
where 1 stood. She took me by the
arm and gently forced me to the hall
way, but before had reached the door
there was a sound Of flying footsteps;
the next moment Ruby, my beautiful
Ruby, unchanged, unless it could be
said that she was more bewilderingly
lovely than ever, dressed in rich gar
ments and leading a beautiful little
fairy-like child by the hand. was in the
room; her dear arms were around my
neck, her soft lips rained kisses upon
my face, her voice was whispering en-
dearing names in my ears, and the little
child was tugging at my dress with her
dImpled hands, calling me "Aunt Nom
n.y." and clamoring for kiss, which, l
assure you, she received with interest.
And while 1 was holding my Ruby in
my arms, scolding, laughing and petting
her by turns, a dark, handsome man
entered the room and stood looking at
us with laughing eyes.
Snow it's my turn, my new-found
aunt, don't you think?" he said, when
had released her.
"And now, Auntie Monna, l must
explain 1t all to you. I've been very
cruel to you all these four long years,
haven't II But never lost sight of
you, dear. For all Betty pretended to
be so much astonished at seeing me,
she knew l was coming-didn'J you,
dear, old, darling hypocrite? We cor
responded all the time. l should have
known if you were sick and come to
you. Betty knew how met Harold Ill
the city; how he came and visited me
here while you were ill, and she helped
me to get away without your knowl-
: edge. 1t was case of desperate love
at first sight on both sides. Harold is
wealthy, Aunt Monna, and was in Clin-
ton on business when he saw me-and
you know the rest. We have been
travelling about a long time, seeing
sights, which accounts for my long de-
sertion of you. But l wanted my COM
ing to be a complete surprise, so bade
Betty keep silent. And auntie, dear, l
have found grandpa. He lives with us
in San Francisco, broken old man,
and has made me his heiress. lie is
very old, and sometimes takes me for
pear mamma, But what has become
of that pretty girl who was here mo-
ment agoP Betty told me about her
too. And was glad to know that you
had sympathizing friend who remin-
ded you of your lost Ruby!" and my
darling laughed the happy ringing laugh
of former days.
"You know, Auntie Monna, you
never would have consented for me to
marry, though it had been a king who
wanted me, if L had told you, you were
so jealousl So had to elope! Didn't
/, Haroldp"
did not answer her; only drew
her to my heart, and held her there,
silently thanking God for His safe
keeping of my precious Ruby 1 am
an old, old woman now, and my home
will always be with my darling, for she
has made me leave the lonely house In
the country, and go with her to tih an
honored position in her house in San
Francisco. All the little Rubies call
mo HAunt NonoV - and I am haDpy