Daily Republican., 1885-07-31
practical exponent Of what an educated

barbara had always been kind tn
him, had given him shy little glances
OF encouragement, had always ap.I
peared glad to see him, and the young
mans heart had grown fast to the one
fond hope Of some day calling her his
wife. He stood aloof now, sad and
dreary, watching from q distance the
companionship between the two, though
he never met Mr.. Ruthven face to face.
Percy Ruthven was passionately fond
Of music. Barbara found time some-
how to practice. and they learned duets
together, and she sang the old fashioned
ballad OF Barbara Allen, her own
namesaka and he read aloud TO her
tender love poems, Tennyson's "Elaire,
and that weird, sweet story "The Lady |
of Shalott."
And as the long, golden SUN mmer
days slipped by, Barbara's heart grew
to look upon Percy Ruthven as the
truest of friends. He had never spoken |
q word Of love TO her, never uttered q |
sentiment which could be emiscons.rued |
into that ambiguous term "lovo
making" as though love were ever
aught but spontaneous. But II ever a |
mans eyes could be said to speak, and
his manner be translated, then Percy
Ruthven had confessed his affection.
One day Barbara, yielding to Mr..
Ruthven's advice, and Aunt Hannah's|
peremptory command, went out for al
stroll in the woods and on the river
banks. A lonely, idyllic spot. Bar
bara wandered about in the golden sun
light until quite weary she sank down
upon mossy seat beneath shady oak
upon the rivers brink.
Sitting there with her dusky eyes
upon the changing sky, she was aroused
by heavy football. Glancirg up, she
sprang to her feet in wild alarm, for a
man stood at her side, q stranger, a.
rough, villainous looking fellow, one Of
the prolific genus known as tramp The
man gazed iuto her pale. frightened face
with leering eyes.
Your purse, II ye please, miss" he
began roughly, an yhure, II yez don't
happen to have such thing about ye
I'll take thin sinners on your bands
and in your ears. And make haste
about it, too, or faith twill be bad for
yen'
Barbara wore pretty diamond ring.
a solitaire that had been her mothers,
aud tiny earrings of the same precious
stones, all in the world that she posses
sed, which had belonged to the mother
who had died when Barbara was a
child.
You shall not rob me % she cried,
indign antly. "Go on about your busi-
mesa, Or
But the ruffiau darted forward and
caught her little hands in viselike
grip, while he esssyed to remove the
Jewels. Barbara resisting with all her
strength, and calling aloud for help, at
the top of her voice.
| And help was near. John Hunter
riding by caught the sound of the dear
familiar voice; a moment later and he
WAS on the spot, One hasty glance
showed him the stu alton. In twink
ling the ruffian had measured his
length upon tho ground, and Barbara,
ipale and painting, was clutching John g
arm with both cold hands and sobbing
as though her heart would break.
Warm words trembled upon the
Iyoung mans lips. but ere they were
uttered Barbara with hasty thank
Iyou had fed from the scene.
She made her way home as speedily az
the invalid who had long since been
Ipromoted to the big sofa in the
Icheerful sitting room, she ran lightly
up stairs to her own chamber. Herr
she bathed her face and brushed hel
hair and ionned cool, white lawr
Idress, adding q crimson rose to ths
wavy dark hair coiled high upon hel
, head,
1t struck her all at once that some
thing little unusual had taken place
the honse did not seem 30 quiet, surely
some one had come. And even as thu
Thought flashed through her brain q
strange hand swept the keys of the cot
tage Iiano below stairs, and directly 8
yoice-a sweet highly, cultivated voict
3 began singing a selection from Casta
'IDiva." 1t was a woman's voice.
T Who could it be-
/ Very lovely in her fresh costmut
3 Bar bara went slowly down. stairs, into
3 the sitting room. The song was just
, ldying away into silence IS she crossed
the threshold. There was the rustic ol
| silken skirts, the odor of heliotrope, q
tall, graceful figure arose from the
piano, a lady in pearlgray silk and
white lace, diamonds upon her breaal
: and upon the white fingers, lovely
fair, blonde face, with violet eyes
!, smiling into her own. And across the
! cause Of silence his voice:
! "Miss Allen, am 30 glad that you
! have returned. 1 want you to know
, Il my wifs. Minnie, you and my little
, nurse must be the best of friends.
, The room grew dark, and everything
! seemed turning around in giddy circles
Barbara put her hand to her brow
n Great heavens! how she had been de
ceived, and now she had deceived her
sell! She managed to pass the ordeal
, somehow, though, and escaped to hel
own room, at last, q sadder and wisel
, woman.
u 1t was the way of the world, to de
ceive, she tod herself, and she was only
Ilearning her lesson. We all have Il
learn it sooner or later, and the wises
among us will lay lesson to heart ant
lprofis by It.
Mr. Percy Ruthven. employed In
nkilling time" at fashionable water
| ing. place, came face TO face with
. lovely brunette one day, the reigninf
: belle at that popular summer resort
Mr.. Ruthven's face flushed little al
the great scornful eyes swept bis face
with a cool glance, followed by Q bow
= of recognition.
The lesson had been learned, and 1T
lteachinR had not been forgotten. Hat II
. hand. he stood before her, the couIteou
imam of the world, but his face becam,
ldeadly white az Barbara turned to tall
u nIhapdsome man who was approaching
u the two, anG said proudly
"Mr. Ruthvep, allow me to presen
le nv husband, Mr.. Hunterl So glad t
N meet Won. Mr.. Ruthven, John, ,"-turn
OF inc to her husband,-" you and MI
Rnthyep must be the best OF friends!"
te Ere they separated Barbara Hunte
~ had read Percy Ruthven's secret, an
" knew that his heart was hers, and ths
u, the cold, statuesque woman who boz