The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-08-14
RUBY.S TRAMP.

II wes n chilly evening in November.
The wind moaned drearly around the
corner of Ivy cottage, and the bright open
fireplace seemed doubly CHEEKY and in
viuing in contrast to the cold and dark
ness outside.
In a luxurious easy chair reclined fair
girl, her white hands resting idly in her
lap, and her eyes fixed on the glowing en-
bers. Presently she spoke in tone that
was half jesting, half impatient
RUBY, do put that everlasting darning
away. II positively tries me to have you
sit there stitching away as II your life de-
pended on it"
g am sorry to weary you MaUde, but
! have one more hole to darn. Dear me
What a big hole it IS .' she went on, sur
veying it with comical dismay.
She was not pretty, yet no one who
knew Ruby would ever have thought of
calling her plain. She possessed no trace
of her cousins fair, stately beauty, but
her sweet face had an attraction that few
could withstand. She differed from her
cousin as much in disposition rs she did
IN feature, for Maude was proud, selfish,
and discontented, although she was a
petted only child, while little Ruby, de-
pendent orphan, was AS happy as the day
was long, and loved nothing better than
to make everybody else as happy as her
self
The two girls made a pretty picture as
they sat there in the bright, cosy room,
and 50 thought a stranger who paused for
a moment outside the window to admire
the scene. Only for q moment did he
pause there, then cropping his way through
TH4.-N p
Ruby sprang to obey the summons AS
she opened the door she saw man stand
ing before her in a worn, decidedly shah
by suit of clothes. He raised his hat.
Can you kindly give me shelter here
for the night - he began. but before he
had time to say more Maude sprang to
her feet, exclaiming angriIy.
Ruby, shut that door, this instant
It's tramp, and we shall all be robbed
and murdered in our beds If we let him
in"
But tender-hearted Ruby found it hard
to obey her Cousins command.
u am sorry" she said, gently, trying to
soften her cousins harsh words, but l am
afraid you cannot stay here"
Can you tell me where can find
lodging ~ asked the stranger. Il have
been i'll, and cannot spend this cold night
in the fields"
Ruby hesitated
q" Wait a moment, please ~ she exoLaim-
ed hastily, then obeying at last Maudes
repeated commands to shut and lock
that door," she darted up stairs to her
own little room.
She drew from its hiding place a little
gold dollar, one of her chief treasures, and
Fastening down stairs again, she opened
the door
what are you going to doS" asked
Maude angrily, laying a OBTAINING hand
upon her, and trying to shut the door
again In spite of Ruby's efforts. II won't
let you give this miserable fellow any
money. He will only spend 1t for liquor
and get drunk on IL. Are you crazy,
Ruby - she asked, as the girl darted past
her out In the porch.
q" Here is some money, poor man." she
painted breathlessly. There is a little
hotel about mile farther down the road,
and you can get supper and lodging
there. / wish l could let you stay here"
The stranger raised the little hand that
profered the coin respectfully to his lips,
and thanking her, turned away and van
ished in the darkness.
81 would like to give you a good shak-
ing" said the angry Maude, as she closed
and locked the door with rather unnec-
essary vehemence. '' believe you would
have been perfectly willing to let that
miserable tramp stay here all night If it
hadn't been for me-"
81 don't believe he was a tramp at all,
Maude" protested Ruby. He looked
like a gentleman, though his clothes were
rather shabby, must confess. He look
ed sick. too. | should have been dread
fully uncomfortable to think that per-
haps he might have had to wander about
all night, when we are so warm and com
Portable"
You're silly goose" was Maude's
only reply, and Ruby said no more,
though she secretly rejoiced in the
thought of the comfort that her long
treasured gold coin would procure the
poor wanderer
A week later there was great excite
ment among the young ladies in this part
of the country. The owner of River
view, a beautiful country seat in the
neighborhood, had returned after an alb
sence of twelve years. He was n single
gentleman, and in every feminine heart
there burned a secret hope that she might
become the mistress of Riverview. When
invitations for a reception were issued, the
excitement rose to fever heat, and nothing
else was talked or thought of for days.
Even little Ruby had share In this de-
rghtful hustle of preparation. Her unc le
had laughin9ly declared that she should
have a chance at Mr.. Earle with all the
rest of the girls, and had hidden her
choose a new dress for the occasion
Maude stood before her mirror when
the important evening came, conscious
that she would have no rival in beauty
She was really beautiful in a dress of
creamy satin, with folds OF filmy lace half
concesling half revealing her rounded
arms and graceful neck.
Ruby was quite eclipsed by her cousins
magnificence in her plain dress of white