The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1886-07-15

ance accounts, Mr.. Silver, at Jacks in
stigation, vas pulled up in court. Mr..
Silver, it seemed, had struck the first
blow. Then money and respectability
$50 considercd) were on Linton's side,
and Mr.. Silver was fined heavily.
"Guess," said Jack Linton, ejecting
tobacco Juice from the window of the
law office where he was-the same non
dCscript that Charlie was in the count
ing-room-"guess Ruth and I are about
even now"
The next night Ruth took from the
post-ofice a letter from Charlie. She
hurried home, and, finding her father
was out, neglected her own tea, and
hastencd up into her chamber. There,
with heart futtering like birds wing
broken by rife-ball, she read these
words:
MISS SILvER-After the disgraceful
transactions Of yesterday, in which your
father figured so conspicuously and so very
creditably in court. you cannot expect me to
continue an acquaintance where l must
mingle in such low circles. free you from
your engagement, and free myself also.
Respectfully yours, c. MANToN."
Charlie had spent the previous evening
with the elegant and refined circle that
met in the apothecary's back office.
Stung by the jokes there executed at his
and Ruth's expense, goaded by his
mothers sharp criticism also, Charlie sat
down and wrote the above note.
After reading it, Ruth held it long
time in her hand. Her face was as pa!c
as q snow drift; her heart seemed no
warmer. Poor thing! God only knew
how cold was this rcpulse of her hopes.
How long she sat by the window of her
chamber in this chilling stupor, she knew
not. She was aroused at last by voices
outside.
81 tell you, sir, there's hope for you.
Make one more trial. God will help
you.
That was Usher Cowan's voice.
Il thank you, Usher; but what good
will it do? And tonight am burning
with thirst. Let me 60 just this once
Just this once"
"No, no, you cannot CO."
Ruth heard Usher pleading. Then
she heard their voices sounding in the
allcy-way. Then she heard them in the
kitchen. Ruth hurried downstairs.
"Ruth, have brough your father in,
and don't want him to 60 out again"
"You are very kind, Usher. 1 will
make him some hot coffe directly. Don't
60, father"
IL won't, Ruth. She is good
daughter, Usher. I wish I was q good
father" the man blubbercd, and then
broke into pitiful weeping.
what is the matter, Ruth?" asked
Usher, noticing her appearance.
Nothing, Usher"
Something Is the matter" said Usher
to himself, and left.
Usher Cowan was plain, upright fel-
low, with warm, generous nature, ten
der in his feelings, quick in his sympa-
thies, but quiet in department. His
habits had always been correct, and con-
sequently he had not been that conspicu-
ous member of society that some of those
scapegoats are who, guilty of dashing
sin, reform and are lionized for their
rcritence.
Usher has always been a good boy"
said his mother, one of Ruth's neigh
bors.
Be was bookkeeper in the counting
room of the mill, and a person that
turned off good deal of work. Charlie
disliked Usher, because Usher did some
thing 4rna 10 did -ruthing .Ssner 60
Ruth mad always been good frienSS
They had in childhood pulled dandelion,s
togcthc" y: S;ring at;d in Winter knSs
gone down-hiL on the same slsd.-9Fa4alae9o
had at school often blushcd to find
themselves standing side by side in
front of the masters desk when
caught in common misdemeanor,
and had walked home at night trying
10 comfort one another in their mutual
disgrace. So they had grown up to-
gether. Such word as "love" had
never been lisped between them. Usher
was very ditfident about expressing his
deepest feelings, and ere he had sum-
moned courage to speak, Charlie Manton
had spoken. I think Ruth would never
have said "Nay" to Usher's eyes," but
Usher didn't say it. So she listened to
Charlie, bowed her sweet face lower, and
said eyes" to him. She was really as
sentins, though, to the attractions of
Charles surroundings. When she
awoke out of her dreamy dazzle, she was
like bird that, in the cold winter night,
flies for the warm window-light only to
break its wing against the hard, unfcel-
ing glass. But it shouldn't kill her, that
she resolved upon. Her pride was
wounded more than her love.
Nobody shall know how feel. l
will 60 to church Sunday, and sing just
the same as ever, if my father is a dis
graced man and a rejected woman, "
said Ruth.
She sat in the choir Sunday, and I can
see how she looked in the evening ser.
vice. A black hat that was exceedingly
becoming rested jauntily on her head,
and out from its shadow looked Ruth's
pale face, like the white heart of black
pansy. She looked very pale, and yet
very defiant, like a creature that feels
she is pursued in every direction, but
turns, and with the arrow fixed in her
side, faces her pursuers almost savagely.
She maintained her position some time.
The minister's sermon, however, was on
"Charity.' 1t was plea for those who
had fallen. Ruth thought of her father
Suddenly the tears came dripping into
her eyes, and looking down, Ruth saw
Charlie Manton in the church! He was
saying: "How glorious she looksl" She
was saying: "You have struck me, but
you have not killed me! l defy you, your
family, Jack Linton, and everybody else r
What was it the minister was saying?
There are natures so proud that they
will try to bear up under any strain, al