Daily Republican., 1885-06-18
As FATE WOULD HAVE IT.
BY b b.

Are you very much disappointed, Ruth
let"
Ruth Ellsworth stood at the window of the
tho P. and W. express as 1t dissppeared In
tho distance.
One arm ested on the window ledge, her
head leaned upon her hand, and her face
did have o rather sober look.
However,, there was NO help for II. She
was q minute too late, aud the train was
gone. 1t was an excursion train, and the
full beach resort, and Ruth Ellsworth expect
cd TO have gone with q party OF friends.
The arrange ment TO meet at the depot had
been made, but Ruth's watch, that rarely
and she had set il BY the Clock in tho break break,
fast-room, which unfortunately was i've
minutes slow and though she might follow
In the next train, there was little pleasure
in travelling alone, and she was about to 20
homo when the sound Of o wellknown voice
gave her a pleasant surprise, and che turned
quickly to receive warm greeting from
Willis Clarks0n.
Her loverg No, she weuld have answered
merely pleasant acquaintance and the son
Of her fathers friend.
He had been absent from town several
weeks and was Just of the train, but letter
from his sister had Informed him Of the ex
cursion. and she had casually mentioned
among the number going herself and Ruth
Ellsworth so Willis, seeing Ruth &C the
window, took In the situation at a glance.
Ruth laughed.
".Not so much disappointed but that ]
shall survive" she said, in answer TO hill
question. :" though did want . Whit OF sea
air, and they win all laugh at my laziness
Then she told w ILLS Of the trick her watch
had served her, ana after they had chatted q
| few minutes he proposed that they should
follow the excursion.
| 1t was proposal to which Ruth readily
| ~ reed, al Il an hour later Willis Ola ksoI
and Ruth Ellsworth took the train for F.
| their plan cling to Join ,he excursionist
4 a n
For little while Willis Olarkson enjoyed
his privilege intensely. He did not care 1
| the party had left Ruth, as he had her all t
himself, and 1t was very pleasant to have he
| emotions on her expressive face as the,
whirled along.
Ruth was an ardent tower of nature, an,
she made quaint remarks upon the fast NOV
woodland.
But after awhile Willis chanced to looI
across the car and noticed an elderly gentle
man not far OFT who was looking at kuth 81
intently through his gold-boWed glasse
that 1t seemed an unwarrantable imper.i
| nence.
! fixed upon her, but whenever Willis locke,
| that way, he found that the steady ,searchtni
eyes were still scanning the face OF his fai
companion.
The gentleman was apparently about tifty
His hair and beard were gray his appearano
| was dignitied, and his dress was that of
gentleman. One hand that lay on the arm
of tho seat was white and shapely. Evident
iy he did not delve for q living hut wha
right had he to stare SO at Ruth? and Will
| Clarkson looked as savage as a young tiger
After all, he could not ne quite miserable
for had not Ruth put herself In his care, thu
eyincing her ptriect confidence In him? III
ride would soon be over, and one was Oblige,
| to put up with some discomfort when travel
ing.
| Ies, the ride would be over sooner tina
i Willis Clara son expec. i
There came a SHOCK, ii sudden crash-the
all WAS q blank.