The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-08-18
MISSING FROM HOME.

ened snow. and now and then a 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 1
her slim shoulders, and the scarlet |
birds wing in her hat shining like a /
speck Of fire in the semi-gloom.
IL was one thing TO run away in a
spirit of girlish adventure from the old |
farm, because her aunt had no sympa- /
tiny with youthful aspirations. and
wanted her 10 sew carpet rags and work |
button-holes on endless piles of vests; it |
was quite another to lind herself alone
and friendless in great city.
She had been walking until every |
bone and muscle was sore-her last |
penny was spent for a cup of muddy |
coffee at a street-stand-coffee which !
had not even the merit Of being hot, |
and now she did not know what TO do
She bad believed, this little Ruth, that
life was full of romance and adventure,
and how bitterly had she been disap-
pointed, How thankful would she be
to 90 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. "
Inyoluutarily Ruth obeyed the behest
A stout little lady in a black fur cloak
stood opposite her, overwhelmed 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 pickedr'
please, ma am" said Ruth in fall
terine voice, ''might-might ] carry it
across the bridge for you?'
The little woman turned pair of
black beady eyes quickly upon her in
terlocutor.
Mo- said she in a voice that sound
ed like a snarl You're an impostori
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.
Shivering and discouraged the girl
| shrunk back At that moment she saw
a benevolent-looking old gentleman
| buying some roasted chestnuts from
| stall, while weird-faced little street.
Arab was deity engaged in spirit
ing his white silk pocket-handkerchief
from the recess of his overcOat-
stop thiefr' she cried. springing for
ward "Stop thief"'
But in her haste she had not perceiv-
ed huge four-horsc van laundering
down the bridgeway.
There was cry of alarm on all sides;
she was ierked vehemently back by
policeman, but not until her shoulder
had been violently struck by one of the
wheels
Are you tired of living. my grip"
sharply questioned the policeman; be
cause if YOU amt. I'd recommend you
to keeL out from under warehouse-carts
for the future Here, stand up! You
amt much hurt. are youp'
And while Ruth was trying to stam-
mer out that she was not much hurt,
everything turned black around Der,
and she tainted away.
Number Fourteen, in the Accident
Wardr' said Dr. Fletcher airily, glanc-
ing ut his notebook. "Oh, she can 60
out any day now?'
Ruth looked wistfully up.
''lf only knew where to gor' 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. lob.
never, never can look Aunt Peace in the
face againr'
The trained nurse who was bandaging
2 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.
IF Miss Harrison would like place,
{ said she, II know nice old lady in the
country who wants lively cheerful
companion, and helper about the house
The wages may not be great at first, but
it would be comfortable home"
. On" cried Ruth, Il should be sc
J much obliged for your recommends
: tion!'
A For, by curious atlmixture OF events
Ruth and the poor victim of a lamp ex
n 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 RI Egerton" of the Accident Ware
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, Rutt
had been too i'll to set the error straight
Afterwards she had been too listless t.
J. think that anything mattered very
y much.
i 81 feel like ghost" she said to her
q self; ''why not be ghost?"
e The old lady is friend of mine,
] said Miss Corbitt. the trained nurse, il
! the soft well-modulated voice that haC
:! mingled so sweetly with Ruth's dream
t while she was yet delirious. ''She is in
l. great trouble! She has lost dea
q friendr'
q Ruth looked up, her eyes softening.
HAS shep" she murmured. ''Th ell
/ am sure / shall like her. How soor
). can | 90 to her?''
My brother is going to drive on
A there tomorrow afternoon" said Mis-
Corbitt. Perhaps we can get yo'
/, ready to go with him?"
u lis it in the country" asked Ruth.
Yes"
81 am glad of that" said the girl.
"WhyP Do you prefer the countryp'
: 81 should be thankful never 10 see tn
bricks and mortar of city again s
- long rs L live?' said Ruth, ferventl
Sc clasping her hands. Il have learned
D lesson-yes, lessonr
And in the yellow afternoon sunshin
r, of the next day. Miss Corbitt packed
i. Number Fourteen" carefully into tn
old-fashioned buggy beside the specta
10 cIed. middle-aged brother. who evident
!. ly regarded the young lady exactly a
= he would have regarded sewing ms
chine, or a barrel of apples, or an
70 other package consigned to his care TO
= safe delivery at certain place.
1t WAS March day. all blue dazzlin;
. sky overhead, all sweet suggestions {
!, the coming spring below. Once acros
) the bridge. once beyond the wretche
:, trail of the city suburbs, sweet sprin
i looked them in the face.
Here and there the willows along tn
warehouses; had hung ont their bar
: ners OF. gold-green mist-the apple-blos
:, SONS blushcd ON the edge of the wood.
\ and the songs of birds filed the air
Ruth clasped her hands eagerly.
!. 1T is like coming home again. sh
a cried. '.How far are we going, MI