Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-02-11
MARRYING A MECHANIC.
BY BERTHA BERTON.

think of the disgrace you will
bring upon our family. You have
fathers word that if you persist in
marrying Phillip Arguile he will dis
own you, and you know he is as fixed
as the hills ia his determinations, and
surely, Ruth, you can not expect me
to recognize you in the position you
will occupy as the wife of a common
mechanic No, indeed, you will have
TO give US all up, and you do not con-
slider what you are sacrificing"
Maud Everleigh paused in her walk
up and down the room, and looked
anxiously at her sisters face.
A superb apartment it was, with its
rich drapings, its furnishings of
crimson and gold, its rare paintings
and marble statuarys; the works OF
art that IN Dictated highly cultivated
taste, and his immense wealth had
given him the power to crafty his
love for the rare and beautiful, so that
his splendid home was filed with the
accommodations of his travels.
The two daughters, Maud and Ruth,
comprised his family. Mis- wife was
dead, and III his children Mr.. Ever
leigh's interest centered, with a faith
er's pride.
Talented, accomplished, and beau
tiful, they moved in the most select
circles, and their father intended and
fully expected that they would some
time marry men of wealth and high
standing.
Maud had her fathers pride, and
with her, ambition, wealth and social
distinction would always take prece
dence of love.
A beautiful girl she was, tall and
graceful, perfect in form and features,
with hair dark as ravens wing, an
olive-tinted face, and eyes whose
color correspoded with her rich south
ern beauty.
She looked as if born to command
and in her fathers house, as the elder
daughter, her wish was law. Even
Ruth was a customed to submit al
most whollyoto her sisters dictation.
But at last had come something
that threatens to jar the peace and
happiness of the EverJeigh family.
Ruth had presumed to give her love
to a young man, who, though poor,
was educated, and destined to make
his way upward, but he was an arch
tect, and with strong interest in the
trade he had chosen, was already
making it a success. Plenty of work
and high wages gave promise of a
competency by and by. Of excellent
character, he had entree to good SOC
iety, and at small party at friends
house Ruth Everleigh had first met
him. There had been a mutual at
traction, and to such there are gen
orally ways and means of becoming
better acquainted; their friendship
resulting IN love and an engagement.
Although Ruth Everleigh knew
well her fathers aristobratic notions,
she hoped that through his love for
her he would be induced to consent
to their union. She was mistaken,
and the storm of wrath that was
evoked when Philip Argyle asked
permission to wed the youngest
daughters of Mr.. Everleigh seemed
enough to awe into submission a girl
as quiet and shy as was Ruth Ever
leigh.
But not so. She had will of her
own, a will quite as determined as
her fathers, and there was scene
which ended in her declaring her
firm intention of marrying the man
of her choice, Mr.. Everleigh threaten
ed to disinherit her should she carry
out her resolution.
Then Maud had plead and reasoned
moved thereto by her own pride as
much as through love for her sister,
but alike failing, and it was Ruth's
last day at home.
Her trunks were packed; her own
personal belongings she might take
her father would give her nothing.
She had chosen betwixt lover and
father, let her go with the one best
able to care for her, Mr.. Everleigh
had said, with a snecr; and he had
gone out of town that he might not
yield to and tenderness at the last
moment, for Ruth was his pet, and
stern as he appeared, his heart ached
at the thought of her going.
When all her pleading and reasan-
ing failed, Maud grew angry, and
Ruth Everleigh went out from her
fathers house on the morning of a
bright April day, sad hearted, for the