The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-07-30

he had begun the practice of law in a
town not far away. She felt that he
would come to see her, for he had tried
to see her before she had left her old
home.
Ruth" said her uncle, upon re-
turning from the town, Il met an old
friend of yours to-day. His name is
Ned BLY,. You know him, don't you?"
"Oh, yes, l know him."
''He said that he had known you a
long time. had some law business
and gave it to him. Tho people say
that he is fine lawyer"
81 am glad to hear it. When you
see him again, give him my compli-
ments."
"All right. 1 am going back day
after Tomorrow"
When Mr.. Hatford returned from his
second visit, he said to Ruth:
"Wheu l told BLY, that you sent your
compliments, he seemed to be sur
prised. He blushed. L thought. All,
Ruth, he is a capital fellow, and, by
the way, he promised to call here next
Sunday"
Il shall be delighted to meet him."
Ruth replied.
She was delighted, but what de-
light! The face of her father came up
before her. Now" she mused, my
time is coming. l will win his love.
Then will teach him q lesson. l de-
spise 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 fondly
looked upon her.
mo, l am about the same, / think. :"
81 was afraid that you would hate
me-"
"Oh. I could never hate you. Ned
or MIR. BLY,, rather"
That's right, call me Ned. Why
shouldn't you? We are old friends" !"
"Yes. we grew up together"
Let me see. Six years have passed
since we parted in the garden"
YES" she said, with a sigh.
''Six years-the longest of my life.
Two years ago, | went back to the old
home. 1t was four years to day since
we parted. 1 went into the garden,
which l was glad to see, had under
gone but little change. and sat on the
old bench. plucked rose, l have its
withered leaves"
.'Oh, Ned"
Ruth, l was fool, but, darling,
loved you then. Now, though, wor-
ship you. Be my wife"
Yes" she whispered.
When he had gone, and while she sat
in her room, gloating over the near
prospect of revenge, the face of her
dead father came up before her.
II will teach you lesson, oh, you
fool! will walk out on the floor with
you and then, in the presence of the
company, will denounce you. Thank
God, that the time is coming"
Ned was happy. As he drove to-
ward home he fondly mused over the
bright promises which spread out be-
fore him.
ut is better as it is" he thong ht-
Had l married her six years ago, l
would have settled down on the farm, a
mere laborer, without 4 single pros
pect of ever amounting to anything
better. | was not reading law for moth
ing. felt within me that something
must come of it. Now l am in fair
way, not only to become prosperous,
loved Ruth. l have never thought that
she WAS entirely lost to me. Noble
girl, her mind never conceived wrong
thought.
The time for the marriage was ap-
pointed. Ruth was happy in her deter
minatIon of being avenged. Il will
teach you what it is to suffer, she
thought. sHow can the fool be so
blind? Egotist, he thinks that love
him. Men are such fools"
A very large number of people
were invited. Ned wanted the affair
to be quiet, but Ruth said: mo, we
wish to advertise our happiness, Ned.
We want the people to see what hap
piness the union of two devoted hearts
can bring about"
..All right, Ruth" Ned replied. 81
am willing to leave everything to you.
Little girl, noble and patient with a
forbearance which the angels them
selves could not teach, you do not
know how l worship you. L have
bought nice little house and-well, L
long for you to see it. l want you to
see it. want you to see how devoted
a man can be. You are thoughtful,
Ruth"
IL am thinking, love, of our coming
happiness.
Size turned her face from him. She
was afraid that her thoughts of ven
geance might be outlined on her coun-
tenance. Il know that we shall be
happy" she said. when loving
hearts come together, sunshine must
follow"
"Ah, little treasure, you shall be
doubly paid for every privation.
have never ceased to think of you.
Ruth. would you not rather be the
wife of a prosperous lawyer than the
wife of an Indifferent farmer?"
''It would make no difference to me,
dear. so long as am your wife"
You are an angel, Ruth. don't
believe that you ever had bitter
thought"
mot against you, precious" she
replied scarcely able to conceal her
hate.
Ruth, during our long separation,
while many people were anxious to
compliment me, l did not cease to
lovingly think of the quiet little girl
who had won my boyish love. l know
now that fate is kind, that this old
world has been slandered."
The day arrived. Ruth sat in her
room, waiting for the coming of the
man who had darkencd her life. when
l denounce him." she mused, ''uncle
and aunt will say that l acted rightly.
Oh, will teach that wretch a lesson
that he will never forget. l know that
he loves me and hate him for it. "
Ned arrived. Ruth heard his merry
laugh, and she laughed bitterly. She
wore rose in her hair, rose she fan
cied came from the old garden. When
she descended the stairs and caught Il
glimpse of the company assembled in
the parlor, she smiled. She would
give them piece of citing. Without
betraying her desperate intention, she
stood beside Ned. The minister ad,
vanced. Now was her time. The
ceremony was pronounced. She had
said yes" She sat down when her
friends had congratulated her. When
the people were gone, shc threw hel
arms around her husband and ex-
claimed,
''Oh, Ned, worship YOU"
Yes, the time for her revenge had