Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-04-30
A Tale of Rue.

OF all the tired passengers of the
midnight express bound eastward over
the Old Colony road, perhaps there was
not one more thoroughly used up than
John Coleman, Esq, of the law firm of
Coleman & Riggs. Ashland, Massachu.
setts. From the morning Of Novem-
Der |, when he had started for San
Francisco, till the evening of this De.
cember |, he had been constantly on
the wing. To aggravate his fatigue, the
trip, in business view had been high
ly unsatisfactory, if not unnecessary.
But as he drew nearer home his
scowl vanished, and the lines about his
finn mouth softened. Stretching his
long limbs across the seat, he
spread the Erening Journal between his
aching eyes aud the glare of the bob
| bing lamps, and INDUCED in tender
speculations. How would Rue look
when he, appeared before her next
morning, two DAYS earlier than he had
promised ? She might be watering
bel plants in the bay-window, and he
would walk ia nonchantly, as if he had
left her the evening before, aud say.
"Good morning, Rue," and she would
| drop her watering.p pot and rush toward
him, all smiles aud bushes, crying,
"Oh, John John how glad am
to see you how l've missed you ~
Dear, warm hearted, impulsive little
Rue She certainly was fond of him.
He wished he had never been such a
brute as to reprOach her about Mr..
Lynde. He was convinced now that
she had not really cared for the fellow.
She had only been cordial with him in
her free, girlish way. What charming.
inimitable ways she had The lovers
reverie merged into dream. Mr..
Coleman was unconscious of the slack
ing of the train at B., and Of the en-
trance of two young gentlemen into
the seat IN front /; but the name Of
Miss Rue Haywood, spoken almost in
his ear, aroused him like ali electric
shock.
"Mr. Lynde is bewitched with her,
that's plain," continued the voice.
"Hs's having a fine time out of Cole.
mans absence"
'.Pluperfect, said an answering
voice. They say Miss Rue wouldn't
mind Coleman's taking himself off for
good"
"He's an able man. You know
there's talk of running him for Con-
gress."
/ ooh yes he's "a Dig and all that;
but he's crotchety fellow. Makes
Miss Rue walk Spanish, | hear. By
the-way, how are she and Mr.. Lynde
coming Oh with the operetta ? had
to cut last rehear SAL"
"Famously. Miss Rue's solo will
bring down the house. Lynde thinks
the entertainment will foot up at least
one hundred dollars toward the new Or
gan. He's jubilant. believe that in
strument comes Lext to Miss Rue in
his affections. Can't he get the music
out of it, though I? Hanoo, here's Ash
lard 70
Wincing beneath his newspaper, Mr..
Coleman had recognized the voices as
those Of two college students returning
from a lecture at B.. Forgetful at
last of travel stain, WEAKNESS and head
ache, he waited till the youths had left
the car, then walked out at the oppo-
site end, his whole energies engrossed
in weighing the evidence so gratuitous
ly afforded. How far could he rely on
current gossip /? What attitude should
he assume toward Rue 4? Morning
found him undecided. He must be
governed by Rue's own manner. AS
test of her feelings toward him he
would ask her for his sake to withdraw
from the oreretta. If she loved him
she would do this cheerfully. If she
would not do it-Mr. Coleman had not
provided for the latter contingency
when Bridget ushered him into Mr..
Haywood's parlor. Miss Rue and Mr..
Lynde were practicing duet for the
operetta, both too rapt to observe the
intruder "a fact lnexplicable on musi-
Cal grounds to poor Mr.. Coleman, who
did not know the notes apart, or care
to know them. According to his in
ference, the young people were absorb
ed in each other, and he was off in linn
bo. Under these circumstances it may
not be strange that his face, that in
slant spied by Miss Rue, was not the
face of an amiable man. 1t promptly
| reminded Mr. Lynde Of waiting pu-
pill, and having congratulated Mr.. Cole
man on his safe return, he hustled his
| music under his arm and departed in
| haste.
HE;,o D,o rr,baoyad Tho hir aocu ho ~