Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1885-10-24

7
Isle SCaniel. with his blue eyes,
golden hair, and debOuair grace, came
sometimes and chattsd with Ruthie-
strOliing IN the little garden with it's
sweet williams and princes feathers,
or Practicing a song with her. Surely
he liked little Ruthis. but was that alp
He was poor; he could hardly think OF
marryingS certainly he Il never said
one word to her Of it. Though it was
Ruthie's nature to be serene some
times her eyes were red with crying.
And now Uncle Roc stayed in the
bedroom thar led from his studio-- He
had eaten little for q week, and, when
Ruthie, who had learned-Rfter many
times burning tho bread and her face
tOgethsr-tO make toast, carried him
up a repast, which, though scanE was
delicate. he moved the tray aside and
pointed tO the open door.
''I.oOk at the easel, Ruth. Do you
see that / have had my picture framedg
Is il not bsautifulP'
And when Ruthie acquiesced, he
took -her hands
Dear child, we have fallen upon evil
times. Not that it matters much for
me; but for yOu-well, you Will not be
left penniless. There is a fortune for
you in my picture"
A stream Of bright arterial blood
flowed suddenly from his mouth.
Ruthies screams brought Ray and
Chloe IS he sunk back among the pill
lows. They summoned the doctor,
sent for Lord Layton; but ROscO Vane
only lived an hour.
At q suitable time there was a search
among his papers for his will, but
none was TO be found, and no one
knew Of any property save the old
mansion Of the Orchards.
''There is the picture" Ruthie said,
timidly. to Lord Layton eft is worth
a great deal OF money. is il not? IN
Gle said" and she repeated Roscoe
Vane's last words.
''Of course Uncle Roc intended that
It should be disposed Of for our bene-
fit!'' put in Ray.
''BIy dear girls, - said the gentle
man. kindly ..I grieve to disabuss
your minds of a pleasant idea, but the
truth is, the picture is comparatively
worthless, but he was mistak ken in his
estimate Of his own ability. His de-
fusion that this picture was great
one. no one who loved him could bear
to deprive him Of. q great was his
qualification in it; but beyond 8 few
pretty effects the canvas has no merit
amOEg cOnnOisseurs, and would not
bring ten dollars. -"
Ruth looked astounded-Ray an
II knew it, - said the latter. 81
guessed 1t long ago, and you and Iare
beggars, Ruthie! A pretty set Of men
the Vanes have been, to leave two
girls nothing out Of such a prOpertyr'
She went down into the garden, and
Lord Layton followed her.
It seemed to Ruthie that she would
never get over the shock Of the news
concerning the picture. Was she then
so poor. even poorer than she had
feared, and must she labor for her
breadP She could sew exQuiSitoly-
but seWing-giTls starved. Well. She
could give music lessons. And when
she had decided this, in the dim
watches Of the night, Ruthie fell
asleep.
The next day, Ray announced that
she was going to marry Lord Layton.
''He asked me long ago. and I told
him Yes last night, in the garden.
We are going to New York. You can
come with US, she added; ''or you
can live here. For myself, I repudi-
ate the old home and everything there
is in it. If Uncle ROc's picture were
sold, [ suppose it would buy US a pair
Of shoes apiece!''
Dear Ray, should like to keep &c. -
''YOu may have It, then. never
want to hear OF it again. Sell &c or
keep it, as you choose, and everything
else ia this dismal old barraCk. I am
provided for; it is only fair that you
q 8 g.
So Ray was married and went away,
and Ruthie remained in the old man
sion OF the Orchards, and gave music
lessons for her bread. She made a
nice little teacher, and every day
golden-haired girls came through the
little garden into the low, broad par
lOr. and chaJted gayly while they
drummed their exercises. kuthie had
learned herself, and then taught Chloe,
90 rub the windOW-panes, clean the
brasses, and dust the old mahogany
furniture, aud. in the chilly fall eve
nIngs, Llsis Staniels would come and
bear her company by the bright hearth
stone of the lonely home.
Dear Ruthie, - he SAID. ''we might
be married If were not quite 50 poor. ="
81 have = shelter for as BOTH" said
Ruthie.
ssAnd I only bread and cheese and
kisses for my share" returned Isle.
'sbfy practice grows so slowly"
But they thought Of the bread and
cheese and kisses until they de5eTmIn-
ed to try them Ruthie was able TO
help her husbands modest income
along by continuing her music lessons
for nearly 3 near; then there was q
little one in her arms and added sE-
penss.
Poverty is no disgrace. bat ], Tor
one. shall never write poetry 70 IT,"
said Lisie, ruefullys one day when the
grO0sr's aud butchers bills both came
due. and he had barely money enough
20 buy himself 8 decent new suit ia
which 10 visit his sick.