The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-07-25
LEHIGHTON, CARBON COUNTY, sATURDAY JULY i8a5


house, covering my armchair with ref,
wcolcn3 and moving It near the stove.
would have it face the window, fer my
glimpse Of outdoor life was too prec!ous
to resign; but 1 was not. as usual, near
It, for Ruth said there might be q
draught.
When oil was done indoors 1 sav
from iay chair Ruth, with a scarle;
cloak and hood thrown over her, going
to the well with an empty bucket. She
stepped along quickly over the hard
frozen ground, and was adm.rlng the
trim little feet nnd tho dainty figure,
when l saw no sll5o to tho two etepa
that were abovo tho walls and fall.
She had slipped, and sho lay doubled up
between the two wooden stops Rnj the
rough sides Of the we'll, a9 If sho could
not rise. Two or three times her h1ndg
clutchol tho lover step, anj sho raised
herself half way up, only tp fall back
again, as If her limbs would not support
her.
And could only looi, cn, powcr,c-s
to lnovo 10 aid her Oh, the agony Of I'll
To know she was hurt, unable to r.sc,
and helpless rs a log. 1 screamed
and called for help. Snao was eouc-
where, could not tell where, and I
called loudly for him. could SEQ after
time, that Ruth, artcr her frantic
struggles, was growing dIowsy with the
dea:h-slcep of cold, The scarlet heed
dropped moro AMI more, TIL it lo3tad
against the wall-siic, and the bluc-vein-
cl lids closed over her eyes. The sight
called from me such cry of agony as
thought must be heard for miles.
It was heard. 4 momen. later john
Hayes, painting and cager-oyel, burst
open my door.
"What is it2" he cried. 81 heard you
calling on the road"
"Ruhl Ruthp I screamed. "Sha Is
freezing 10 death by the well "
lie STOPPED to hear no moro. Gut
UPON tho hard, slippery ground, down
the steps With swift, rapid sslidcs.anj
then saw him stoop anl lit tho little
soarlot-clnahel figure in his strong arms
and cruo swiftly hack, bending ll.
face down over the sanaeless ono cn his
arm, while no. tears rainel down his
brown checks. Eo put her on q lounge
near my chair eai then dashed OH. for
s1ow.
Grub her, rub hcry' he said. "I am
going for doctor AMI for my mother" Z"
Before it seemed possible ho could
have crossed the lots to his home, his
mother was with nc, and lifted Ruth
away from the fire TO the bed, The
doc,or came, and the two worked till
my hear: sank with utter hopciossncse,
before the blue eyes opened again, or
tho breath luttcrod through the pale
lips.
/ Eul It did at last, and John joined nc
in n fcryen, "Thank Godp'
Bu. Ruth had broken hcr leg, and wo
knew tha. she must lie helpless fer
many weeks before sho coall be cur
own, active, bright girl again.
"Do not grieYo So" Eo sail, Ccn.lv.
"5he will live"
"Tbanks toyou," I said, 4Ch,John,
ii she g3ts well she is yours, Give
her your strong arm for l.fc. John, Il.
stead Of my helpleslness. Ieec To-Day
where nay selfish love has nearly cost
her her life"
"Do you mean tilotf' John asked,
With little trembling in his voice; 80
you really mean that?"
II do, indeed. Lc: hep stay here,
John. viii not be burden OF yom
pnrsc, for The loUie and fam and all
have saved arc Ruth's: but let her give
inc what time Gai love she c2a spare
from YOU"
pu. he had to wait until thc banu,
were called in church three times,
though he came to Us that day, caring
for me with the tenderness OF 4 son.
while his mother nursed ruth. They
wcrc alone together, as VIC were, ant
they had shut NJ their house, and ccnc
10 live with Us, never to leave again.
For one morning Ruth was dressed in
white by Mrs. Hayes, and propped uE
with rillowe, ard VIC had 4 Wedding ia
the little room. Ny chair was moved
in, and the neightcrs came frcm ia.
ani near to hear the solemn worls that
maze John AMI Ruth man anl wife.
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