The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-08-13
CHAPTER II.

myself. All over. Now III show
the people that l can accomplish
something"
CHAPTER II.
Ruth did not tell her father. The
next day when he ask why Ned did
not stay all night, she replied that
he had a 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 alnost 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 her.
self, she burned with revengeful de
sire.
The farm was sold and Ruth went
out west to live with her uncle.
Several years passed, but she had
never ceased to pray for her re
venge. Her time was coming.
One day, with feeling of pleas
ure, a kind of bitter delight she
learned that Mel BLY, lived in the
country, that he had begun the
practice of law in a town not far
away. She felt sure he would come
to see her, for he had tried to see
her before she 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."
"Be said that he had known you
a long time. L had some law bust
ness and / gave it to him. The
people say that he is a fine lawyer"
Il am glad to hear it. When you
see him again give him my com
pliments.''
''All right. am going back day
after tomorrow"
When Mr.. Hartford returned
from his second visit he said to
Ruth:
"When l told BLY, that you sent
your compliments, he seemed sur
prised. He blushed, l thought
All, Ruth, he is a capital fellow,
and, by the way, he promised to call
here next Sunday"
81 shall be delighted to meet
him." Ruth replied.
She was delighted, but what a
delight! The face of her father
cane up before her.
Now" she unused, my time is
coming. will win his love. Then
l will teach him better lesson. l
despise him.
When Bly, came she met him
without 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, am about the same,
Think
81 was afraid that you would
hate me-"
"Oh, l could never hate you, Ned !
or Mr.. 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 gar
den"
"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
a day since we parted. l went into
the garden, which was glad to
see, had undergone but little
change, and sat on the old bench.
1 plucked a rose, have its wither-
ed leayes-"
"Oh, Ned"
Ruth, l was a fool, but, darling, !
| loved you then. Now, though
worship you. Be my wife,
Yes" she whispered.
When he had gone, and while she
sat in her room gloating over the
near prospect of her revenge, the
face of her dead father came up be
fore hea.
81 will teach you a lesson, on. you |
fool! will walk out on the floor
with you and then, in the presence
Of the company, l will denounce
you. Thank God that the time is
coming"
Ned was happy. AS he drove
toward home he fondly unused over |,
the bright promises which spread |
out before him.
''It is better as it is, he thought. |
Had l married her six years ago, | |
would have settled down on the |
farm, q mere laborer, without a sin
gle prospect Of ever amounting to |
anything better. l was not reading !
law for nothing. 1 felt it within me
that something must come of it. |
Now L am in fair way, not only to
become prosperous, but to become
l have always loyed Ruth.
[ have never thought that she was
entirely lost to me Noble girl, her
mind never coDceives a wrong
thought"
The time for the marriage was
Ruth was happy in her
determination of being avenged. 81
will teach you what it is TO suffer-"
she thought. Glow can the fool be
so blind? Egotist, he thinks that L
love him. Men are such FOOLS"
A large number of people were in
yited. 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 happi-
ness the union of two devoted hearts
can bring about"
"All right, Ruth Ned replied.
II am willing to leave everything
to you. Little girl, noble and pa
tient, with q forbearance which the
angels themselves could not teach,
you do not know how l worship
you. 1 have bought nice little
house and-well, l long for you to
see it. 1 want you to see how de