The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-06-27
CHAPTER II.

NllAI LEX II,
Ruth did not tell her father. The
next day when he asked why Ned did
not stay all night, she replied that he
had business appointment which he
was compelled to meet. Two days
later, the old man died. Just before
passing away, he spoke in high praise
OF Ned. The girl was almost heart
broken, but she spoke to no one of
her greater grief. The flower of her
love became the thorn of hate, and
deep within herself, she burned with
revengeful desire.
The farm was sod and Ruth went
out west to live with her uncle. Sew
eral years passed, but she had never
ceased to pray for revenge. Her time
was coming.
One day, with a feeling of pleasure,
kind OF bitter delight, she learned
that Ned Bly, lived in the county, that
he had begun the practice of law in q
town not far away. She felt that he
would come to see her, for he had
tried to see her before she left her old
home.
Ruth SAID her uncle, upon return
ing nom the town, 4 met an old friend
OF yours to-day. His name is Ned
Bly,. You know him don't your
oh, yes, l know him.
He said that he had known you a
long time. had some law business
and gave it to him. The people say
that he is fine lawyer
1 am glad to here it. When YOU
see him again, give him my compli-
ments.'
All right. l am going back day af-
ter tomorrow
When Mr.. Hatford returned from
his second visit, he said to Ruth:
When | told BLY, that you sent your
compliments, he seemed to be sur
prised. He blushed, thought. All,
Ruth, he is capital fellow, and by
the way, he promised to call here next
Sunday
I shall be delighted to meet him,
Ruth replied.
She was delighted, but what a de-
light! The face Of hss father came
up before her. Now, she unused, my
time is coming will win his love.
Then | will teach him bitter lesson.
| despiSe him.
When BLY, came, she met him with
out the slightest betrayal of emotion.
He had not changed.
Miss Ruth, time has not in the least
altered YOU, he said, as he fonGsy
looked upon her.
No, | am about the same, mink.
i was afraid that you would hate
me-
oh, | could never bate you, Ned.
or Mr.. Bly,, rathea'
"That's righ* call me Ned. WHY
shouldn't yon?' We are old friends,
Yes We grew up together
Let nae. see. Six years have passed
since we parted in the garden.
Yes she said, with sigh.
Six years-the longest of my Life
Two years ago, I went back to tRe ole
home. 1t was four years to az day
since we parted, / went into, tine gar
den, which was glad to see, had I'm
dergone but little change. and sat OF
the old bench. ! plucked rose,
have its withered leaves
| ooh, Ned
Ruth, l was fool, but, darling,
loved yoO then. Now, though, | wor
ship you. Be my wife
Yes she whispered.
When he had gone, and while sh
sat in her room, gloating over the nea
prospect of revenge, the face of he
dead father came mp before her.
4 will teach you lesson, oh, yol
TOOL! | will walk ont on the floorwitl
you and then, in the presence OF tn
company, / will denounce YOU
Thank God, that the time is coming
| Ned was happy. AS he drove tc
ward home he fOndly unused over tn
bright promises which spread out be
fore him.
ut is better as it is he thought
Had | married her six years ago.
would have settled down on the farm
more laborer, without n single pros
pect OF ever amounting to anythin
better. | was not reading law 70
nothing. | felt within me that some
thing must come of it. Now am il
a lar way, not only to become pros
porous, but TO become wealthy.
have always loved Ruth. have new
er thought that she was entirely los
to me. Noble girl, her mind neve
conceived a wrong thought
The time for the marriage, was n,
pointed. Ruth was happy In her de
termination OF being avenged. ] wi