Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-01-18

by no means ready for it when it did
come.
They were alone in the parlor one
evening, Mr.. Harrington and Lucy
having gone out to some entertainment
which Ruth did not care to attend
when Judge Sherman told her just
what had brought him there so often
and asked her if it must be all in vain.
~ am forty-fve years old, Miss
Ruth" he said, "but am not too old
to love and honor woman whom j
find worthy of it. l find you such a
one, and ask you to come to me, and
brighten the rest of my life, as only a
true woman can brighten mans life. "
Judge Sherman" said Ruth, 81
appreciate the high honor you offer
me, more than can tell you. But i
should do wrong if | let you think l
returned the affection you offer me.
/ have no heart to give"
"Is it in some one else's keeping T.
was his gentle question.
"No-I can say that truly. 1t is
only in my own keeping now" said
Ruth. "But my friend--I owe you
this much confidence. Once, long ago,
l did love, 1t was unworthily, and
my hope was broken-and / do not
think I can ever love again"
. Judge Sherman took her hand, and
held it in a warm, strong clasp.
Dear lady," he said, II honor you
for this brave frankness. But, sup
pose I do not ask you for love? Suppoes
I promise to be satisfied with a calm
degree of friendship
81 could give you that" said Rnth.
"Then will you! | will not, now
or ever, trouble you with any protest
atoms of love, but do ask 10 be al
lowed to care for and protect you in
the ways of life, to have your presence
in my home, and your society when
weary of the world. And solcmnly
promise to ask for nothing more. Is
that asking for too much, Ruth p
ooh, no, mol" she murmured.
"Then, will you give me that much p
Poor Ruth 1t was tempting
offer for a lonely girl He had not
even once alluded to his own advant.
ages, but she knew them all. She
knew, too, that her brother .in-law had
some reason to expect pecuniary en-
barrassments before long. Should
they come. she would be burden
upon him. Here was ease, affluence
and noble name at her disposal. Is
it any wonder Ruth chose them?
She had drawn away her hand
from Judge Sherman's clasp. Now
she gently offered it back, and said;
eff you can be contented with such
a bargain, / ought to be-"
Thank you. / shall endeavol
never to let you regret this hour,
said the Judge, in deep, earnest tones
The hand was clasped, and gently
lifted once to his lips. But he made
no other protestations, and Ruth Liked
him the better.
Mr.. Harrington and Lucy were
delighted when they heard the news
Lucy thought it perfectly grand.
Judge Sherman pleaded for an early
wedding, and Ruth said it might a
well he one time as another, and Sc
the preparations were begun at once.
Silks, laces and satins were around
her, and Lucy was all excitement il
the pleasant hustle which woman,
soul exults in at such a time.
Ruth tried to believe that she was
interested and happy, but her mind
would wander to that other time wher
she began her bridal wardrobe, and
the old wound was opened anew.
When the time came for the wed
ding, many elegant gifts were sent in
to the bride.
The Judges gift was most mag.
nifcent set of pearls, which he asked
her to wear at the wedding ceremony
"You are too good to me % said
Ruth, the tears coming into her eyes
as she thought how little she could
require all his kindness.
al wish above all else to make you
happy, Ruth" said the Judge, in
tones of deep feeling. He made a
half-motion, and Ruth thought he
was going to kiss her. She would
not have resented it if he had, but he
seemed to change his mind, and did
not.
And it occurred to Ruth to wonder
if they were not an odd couple, ready
to be married tomorrow, and never
yet had the judge kissed more than
her hand.
The next day Lucy helped her array
herself 10 the rich white satin bridal
robes-but not the orange blossoms,
for Ruth pointedly refused to wear
them. She did wear the judges
pearls, though, and with pealing
music, the scent Of tuberoses in the
air, and the rustic of rich dresses,
they were united before the altar in