The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-03-02
PEMBINA. PEMBINA COUNTY DAKOTA, MARCH
Could you go to him and beg for lit.
lie more time? He would not obliye

Could you 20 to him and beg for lit.
lie more time? He would not obliye
me-"
The girls face became hard and set.
''You think if | asked him his old
love for me would conquer his fond
ness for money and he would yield?"
"Your conclusion is quite what it
should be. really think Ruth, that
Il six months abroad would make IL
new man OF me; and you'll see Marsh
tomorrow"
II don't know" she said abruptly,
us she left the room.
81 cannot do it," she cried as she
FASTENED toward the cid tree, "and
yet it is for father" She flung herself
tace downward at the foot OF the tree
and sobbed. 1t was dusk; the lamps
had been lighted and Ruth did not re-
turn. Mr.. Rodney smiled calmly as he
rolled his chair toward the crate.
lighting it out with herself" he
said. ''as she always has from ncr
childhood, and am not afraid OF her
conclusion. And really am not sell
fish. Tom will not amount to any.
thing for a number OF years, and 1
want to see her happy before die"
And yet he knew deep down in his
heart that had he his life to live over
Rnth's mother would still have been
hin first choice. The door opened
quietly and in IL moment two hands
were placed caressingly OH his shoul.
de:s and a sweet voice said: "rca is
ready. father, and ! have a surprise
III the shape OF the most delicious
Wall'es you ever ate"
Mr.. Rodney glanced at his daughter
and knew that the house was safe.
lie was not sure in regard tn her plan,
whether she would accept MIR. Marsh
or gain Il reprieve because OF his love.
1t made little difference to him any
way.
''She shall never be able to say that
| urged her into u marriage with man
for whom she had no love-" he
thought. ~ have merely limited at
what | imagined would be for her best
interests"
BY q tacit understanding nothing
more was said, and when Ruth came
in the next morning dressed in her
dainty walking suit to kiss her father
eood-by. he asked no questions as
was his custom concerning her ,lestl-
nation.
His only remark as she left him was:
"fou are prettier than ever to-day,
dear, and wish you good luck"
AS Ruth reached the stairs leading
to MIR. MarShs oIlce her heart beat
violently and the color lett her face.
Her plan had been simple; she would
ask MIR. Marsh il lie could let the in
terest run Il little longer, und il he
agreed, and then was co ow;lralycnonyh
I O ask for her love us II reward, why
She would promise to marry hlnl.
Her own life would be ruined, but her
father you'd be happy, and he should
always be first.
Mr.. Marsh WAS sitting in his office
alone, gazing into vacancy. He was
II stout, Wellmeuniny man OF 40, keen
and hard III business transactions,
but scrupulonsly honest. He had
never married because he thought
that no woman was worth IL LIES DC.
votion, and he was SO just, that if he
did marry no woman but his wife
should ever come into his life. These
were his ideas when he first noticed
that Ruth Rodney had changed from
remarkably pretty school girl into
Il graceful, beautiful woman. She in.
terestcd him. by degrees he came to
the conclusion lnaC size was The one
thingneedfu to make his lifea success.
He asked her to marry hlm and she
refused. He had bowed himself out
from her presence, not a. line in his
face disturbed and had made u firm
resolution that i'll some way she
should be his. Now as he sat in his
Office he was thinking that Mr.. Rod
ney's interest was due. lie heard u
slight tap at the door. "Come in"
he said, lnzily turning his head.
"Ah, Miss "oaney," his voice was
free from all surprise, "this is indeed
unexpected pleasure. "'r,.'S seat by
the window will suit you am sure"
Rnth's cheeks grew pink.
"Thank you, Mr.. Marsh," she said
in q low voice. "but prefer to stand.
| have come to beg" Mr.. Marsh raised
one eyebrow and looked at his large,
well keep hands. Ruth glanced at
him desperately.
Tnat interest on the mortgage is
due today and have come to ,.sk if
you would wait II few months as u
great favor. 1t shall surely be paid"
$50 your father said two months
ago" intercepted Marsh with n bland
smile. Ruth's eyes flashed, III thought
us I. favor you would
Excuse me, s;tid March, "but may
] ask what invors you have ever done
for me? This is u business trans
action. Now there is only
one way out OF this decided.
ly unpleasant situation. That way
is to make 1t into an unbu!;ineSs
transaction. You marry me and he
mortgage shall he your weddenv pres
ent." Ruth'S breath came rapidly,
her hands clasped each other convul-
sivcly.
81 have no love tor you.' the girl
almost whispered the words.
II do not remember mentioning
love-" he said; am content with you
now. later"
"'l'here will never be anythin. later"
she replied; "as am now, if you wish
me why"
She could no. finish, but he was
satisfied. lie tool; her .lovcd hand
tender!y; Il feeling OF remorse came
over him. but he stlIled it and said
quietly, "l'ou Shall never regret your
decision, for it must be in my power
to make you happy, / have wanted
you SO long"
Something in his words, the most
manly she had ever heard from him
touched II new chord in her nature
and she burst into tears He stood
awkwardIy hy and said nothing. In
a few moments she looked up. "My
nerves are so unstrunu and it. is all so
new you will forgive me and let me 90
now"
She turned towards the door, he
opened it for her and said, IL under
stand; you would rather 90 alone"
He watched her figure until she
reached the last stair then returned
to his old seat and stared into va.
cancy us before.
Upon reaching home Ruth found
Mr.. Rodney twisting crumpled ely.
velope.
"Fathcr lam engaged to Mr. Marsh.
"Al," he exclaimed, "that Is good
news indeed, and it never rams but it
pourS; nere is u telegram from Tom
that he will be with us this afternoon
Why, Ruth, child, don't look like that,
you are not faint" for the girl had
staggered slightly and her face was
ashy.
"Do not to1ci mo ~ she cried racnv.