Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-29
MISSING FROM HOME.

4tL ~ Ne n At&NI IAOhI
"Pennilessr' said little Ruth Egerton.
"Oh, never thought to come to this. {"
1t was dull grey winter day, with a
raw chilliness in the air which threat
ened snow, and now and then bleak
gust sweeping across the river like some
angry demon bearing storm-threaten-
ings on its wings.
And Ruth stood under the shadow of
the bridge, pallid and shivering, with
her stonegrey shawl wrapped around
her slim shoulders, and the scarlet
birds wing in her hat shining like a
speck of fire in the semi-gloom.
1t was one thing to run away in a
spirit of girlish adventure from the old
farm, because her aunt had no sympa-
thy with youthful aspirations, and
wanted her to sew carpet rags and work
button-holes on endless piles of vests; it
was quite another to find herself alone
and friendless in great city.
She had been walking until every
bone and muscle was sore-hef last
penny was spent for a cup of muddy
coffee at a street-stand-cof which
had not even the merit of being hot,
and now she did not know what to do
She had believed, this little Ruth, that
life was fun of romance and adventure,
and how bitterly had she been disap-
pointed! How thankful would she be
to go back to the farm now. and the
button-holes, if only she had money to
take her there!
Here. young woman! hold this bas-
ket for me a minute
Inyoluntarily Ruth obeyed the behest.
A stout little lady in black fur cloak
stood opposite her, overburdened with
baskets, bundles, and parcels, fumbling
in her pocket for her purse.
''Oh, here it is" said the little wo-
man. Il almost thought had lost it
or had my pocket picked!"
Please, ma'am, said Ruth in a fall
tering voice, .'might-might carry it
across the bridge for you?''
The little woman turned pair OF
black beady eyes quickly upon her in
terlocutor.
NO" said she in voice that sound
ed like snarl. You're an impostor!
You needn't think I'm to be imposed
upon because | came from the country -
And she snatched her basket from
Ruth and went her way.
Shiyering and discouraged the girl
shrunk back. At that moment she saw
a benevolent-looking old gentleman
buying some roasted chestnuts from a
stall. while a weird-faced little street.
Arab was deity engaged in spirit
ing his white silk pocket-handkerchiel
from the recess of his overcoat.
stop THEIR she cried, springing for
ward. stop thief"
But in her haste she had not porceiv-
ed huge four-horsc van laundering
down the bridgeway.
There was a cry of alarm on all sides
she was jerked vehemently back by a
policeman, but not until her shoulder
had been violently struck by one of the
wheels.
care you tired Of living, my grip
sharply questioned the policeman; ''be.
cause if you amt. I'd recommend you
to keep out from under warchouse-carts
for the future. Here, stand up, You
amt much hurt, are you?"
And while Ruth was trying to stanl-
mer out that she was not much hurt,
everything turned black around her,
and she tainted away.
Number Fourteen, in the Accident
Ward!'' said DIR, Fletcher airily, glanc-
ing at his notebook. ''Oh, she can go
out any day nowr'
Ruth looked wistfully up
''If | only knew where to go"' said
she.
"Why, to your friends, of course" said
the young surgeon carelessly.
Ruth's head dropped She could not
tell him that old Aunt Peace was the
only relative she had, and that to her
she absolutely dared not return.
'For was so ungrateful and obsti-
nate" Ruth had told herself. "Oh, |
never, never can look Aunt Peace in the
face again.
The trained nurse who was bandaging
a broken ankle in the next bed looked
up at this moment. She, in her time.
had been friendless and alone. Per-
haps she understood Ruth better than
the doctor did
'f Miss Harrison would like a place, >
said she, 81 know nice old lady in the
country who wants lively cheerful
companion, and helper about the house.
The wages may not be great ut first, but
it would be comfortable hon,e.r
''On," cried Ruth, Il should be 50
much obliged for your recommended
tionr'
For, by curious admixture OF events.
Ruth and the poor victim of q lamp ex-
plosion had been brought into the Ac-
cident Ward at about the same time.
and the cards on their respective head
boards had somehow got transposed.
The ''R. Egerton" of the Accident Ward
had been buried for ten DAYS, the "a.
Harrison" was now sitting up and try
ing to occupy herself with some neces-
sary needlework. At the time, Ruth
had been too i'll to set the error STRAIGHT.
Afterwards she had been too listless to
think that anything mattered very
much.
Il feel like ghostn she said to her.
self; why not be ghost?'
THE old lady is friend of mine. y
said Miss Corbtt. the trained nurse. in
the soft well-modulated voice that had
mingled SO sweetly with Ruth's dreams
while she was yet delirious. '.She il in
great trouble! She has lost dear
friendrn
Ruth looked up, her eyes softenino.
HAS she?n she murmured. ..T6 en-
l am sure | shall like her. How soon
can | go to her?n
my brother is going to drive out
there tomorrow afternoon. said Miss
Corbitt. Perhaps we can get Won
ready to 90 with himP''
is it in the country" asked Ruth.
''Yes."
i am glad of that" said the girl.
why? Do you prefer the country?"
Il should be thankful never to see the
bricks and mortar of a city aoain so
long as | live?' said Ruth. feryentlv
clasping her hands. a have learned a
lesson-yes. a lesson!
And in the yellow afternoon sunshine
of the next day, Miss Corbitt packed
Number Fourteen carefully into the
old-fashioned buggy beside the speeta-
cled, middle-aged brother, who evident
~ regarded the young lady exactly as
he would have regarded a sewing-ma-
chine. or barrel of apples. or anv
other package consigned to his care for
safe delivery at certain place.
1t was March day, all blue dazzling
sky overhead, all sweet suggestions Of
the coming spring below. Once across