Wichita eagle., 1888-03-16


the next house, had often remarked las
white as the driven snow" and Ruth, with
clothespin between her lips. had stepped back
on the grass plat to regard them compla-
Gently when she heard the rapping on the
front door. For a moment she stood and
wondered who it could be, for it was a very
that unusual thing to have any one come to
door. all her friends, after the manner Of
country people, preferring the back. Then
she dropped the clothespin on the grass and
went to see who the caller was.
Jack Palmer grasped her hand as she
opened the door-the thought passing through
his mind at the same time how different it
was to the soft hands he had for years been
accustomed to grasp-and exclaimed, in as
impassioned tone as he could command
Ruth, dear Ruth, and do | indeed see you
once more?'
Miss Corbett wrested her hand from his
and looked at him in amazement. Then a
light began to dawn upon her. us it-can it
be Jack Palmer!" she asked
''1t-is-it cam replied that gentleman.
And what do you want?' Ruth went on,
with cool, calm directness.
''What-do-I want!' stammered the
caller
Yes, what do you want!'
What do l wantr' again repeated Mr..
Palmer. why, Ruth, how can you ask!
came to see YOU
And Why" pursued the lady,
Why Because my heart has returned to
its old allegiance. Because l longed for my
boyhoods home. Because, Ruth, l want you
to forgive and forget the past"
And then!' said Ruth.
'Ihen-then." replied the city gentleman.
shifting his hat from one hand to the other
and wincing perceptibly under the steady
glare of those calm blue eyes, "and then |
hoped, Ruth, you would become my wife,
Have you lost all your money! asked
Miss Corbett.
well, yes, have lost the greater part of
it, but before lost it l made up my mind to
seek you again. did, upon my word, and
ask your forgiveness"
And now, Mr.. Palmer, advise you to return
to town as soon as possible, while hang ont
the rest of my washing"
And you won't forgive me, Ruthg,
"Well, really, I've quite forgotten what
had to forgive you for. But there, forgive
you, if that will do you any good, and wish
you pleasant journey back to your city
friends"
If ever city gentleman walked of front
porch after an interview with an elderl,
rustic maiden, utterly routed and discounted
by that elderly rustic maiden, Jack Palmer
was that city gentleman. He could not have
felt more discounted even if he had seen Miss
Corbett, with a tranquil little smile lowering
about her mouth, go placidly back to the
grass plat, pick up the clothes pin she had
cropped to answer his knock. and to let him
in, and r-'oceed to fasten handkerchief to the
line Herewith.
Jim Farlow spied his old chum coming
back and went to the door of the shop.
Halo" said he; what luck!' But the
other never answered, but strobe BY, his
jaunty manner all gone, without word or
sign.
''Ha, ha' no, ho!'' shouted the blacksmith,
nearly doubling himself up in the excess of
his nirth. The darnyer raysort DIDN'T
Work.
That very evening, as Jim Farlow was on
his way home he stopped for a moment to
speak to Ruth CCrh.,t. She was standing
by her gate, evidentiy on the lookout for
him.
did you sec Jack Palmer today!n she
asked
We'll, yes, l had that honor" replied the
blacksmith. Did you!1
Il did, said Miss Corbett: land al I've
got to say is-and l couldn't bring myself to
say that if it wasn't leap year-that it's O
pity you haven't little of his assurance"
And if l had, what would | do with itn'
asked Jim, coming as near TO her as the gate
hntwaar then, would allow
Let il help YOU to ask me the same ques-
ton he asked me, returned Ruth.
And that was-that was-r' said the
blacksmith.
Yes, it certainly was" gravely assented
Ruth.
The gate few open. Jim caught her in bis
arms. at was VIII you be my vifef = he
fairly shouted. ''And l haven't tie slightest
objection" said Miss Ccrhett-Margaret
Eytinse in Detroit Free Press.