The morning news., 1889-04-28
CHAPTER XXVII.
A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.


railv 6nd u coaeernedly as she had done
before she heard the news.
She could not in truth put it out of her
mind. She la listened to what Sir James
Ess.inaahadesaid about the large income
that Arthur Beat1n must haveinh ed and
tra words SEEMED to ring in her ears. Sac
Ven 4 2 70 Ruth on the first opportunity
she c5asdtGad, and whispered a question 10
her.
"AbouS3fF. aBsa on's brother.' answered
Ruth. looking at her sister quickly, and sec.
inc very plainly the signs of suppressed ex"
rfsreut written on her handsome face.
'Yes. S I'D Frances, in low tone; tits a
strange thing, isn't its A strange thing"
sha rEDeated, and she moved away, and
Bulh's ewes followed her with SO e uneaSi-
A nlinnte5 or two later, Col. Forth also
went up TO mis- youngest daughter, full of
the same tidlngs.
he SAID. 'What contounded luck some peo-
Ole have, to be surem
He NAV have been very fond of his
brotner,n smiled Ruth.
oFopdl RUBBISH. Fonder of sixteen or
seventeen thousand a year, which they say
he has come into, answered the colonel.
Still its a We y sad thing; Sir Robert.
must have been quite young man, if Mr.
Beaton IS the next brother"
"Well, Sir Arthur, as | suppose we must
cali him now, Is a deuced lucky young
m n. that's all | can say" said CJl. For b ;
aud this opinion was very generally
thought, though not quite 50 openly ex-
pressed.
"a great change for our young friend,
truly" said the vicar of Heaifort, ep
preaching the father and daughter, VIII }
were still talking Of Arthur BeaUon. but
/ have no doubt, judging by what | have
seen Of uI1. That he will make wise and
judlciuus use Of the large fortune SO uaex-
pectealy bestowed on HIM"
More likely to make ducks and brakes
Of IT, | She Id think grOwied the colonel.
Ma LAY, my dear sir" smiled the ur-
baue vicar; even in the ght-heartedness
Of youth were ne to spend little laylshly
al first, this exubera ce Of spirits will soon
less 81 ay, ana the duties Of his new posi-
lion Tili bee 3Hie. clear to MS eyes"
II q all know what you pa SO think are
heduJies of Iich man. said the colonel,
With his sour smile; you had best get hold
If 1im before your clerical brethren do,
Aopleby.n.-
But the Rev. John only smiled benignly.
He lad leaning on his arm tall, rather
g0od-loOking, middle-aged woman, whom he
presently introduced 10 Ruth d Col
Fortl. and this lady proved TO be very
v0!uoe; and while sue was talking to Ruth
the wear had word to whisper about her
IN the coloneps ear.
Mrs. Dixon is one of the lucky ones,
also. as. regards fortune" he sad, in an
aside. ''SAe Is a widow, a distant relative
Of my own, and largely endoa ed"
Tie was something about money to
Col, r rtn-and, indeed, TO most of US
lrreSis IDLY attractive. He would not have
ionEld 4 second time at Mrs. Dixon unless
he had heard q was rich, but now he
gisuved at her with is bloodshot eyes, and
the widow sml,ed as he did SO.
"H hat charming tlace your daughters
is, Col. Fort1, she said, and she is 50 beau
tifu-
People say she is good-Iooking,n an
S6erei t g colonel, with feeling OF graft
hratou, which he would not have felt had
t- faltering words Issued from the lips OF
3 poor acquaintance.
There no doubt Of it." continued Mrs
Dixon; 'and this other sweet creature
and me be4t her heard a little closer TO tae
c0lone S, and indicated that she was speak
u. II Ruth, who was exchanging a few
mid words with the wear, rs u daughter
jo9t
Yes, the youngest; bat can I not get
y-u an zee CT someJhing:" asked Col. Forth.
W ell, am thirsty, III admit" said
.lre Dixon, smiling, aid a moment or two
later sna was to he seen leaning on the col
els stalwar5 arm. and the miId.e-a5ed
couple re..red together INTO the house, where
tuy most lavish letreShmentS were to be
foIqd.
Seth was thus left alone with the Rev.
J0ln, who Offered his q IN. an as the two
went through sae crowd they encountered
Aenard besforth, with whom Ruth had
OILY yet exchanged a few words
Hhe blusned and smiled slightly as they
neIi ana tne Youog man paused, and after
Sinemehts hesitation joined her
i have been seeing beaton of, ~ he said.
"a 4suppose You know~
es, We have cen talking of it; it is q
strange turn OF fortune, isn't itp
onderfu; and lie seems very much cut
10 ana excited. l think hs was fond Of nis
orofhee.n
= saonld think be was a young man of
warm fesii1gsw
fee, and Seaforth's expression slightly
CldIsyo. ''1e viii De a ricn man now"
10 ade1, with a 1.-the ring of bitterness,
.N~4eA vas never formerly to be heard ia
US '- u ne, ''ae will have 1t all his own way
fH,h made no answer. She raised her
a--e wy eyes and looked for momeat in
- ~ -ece, &.d there was something reproach-
.a- ID J-eir expression, which though natu-
..lY Aeatorth did not understand, yet
''s Led nls heart
a We was DOSING very pretty, with faint
H'a1 on her cheeks; aud ner pale gray silk
a--a win silver embroidery, and bread
s+llr CaIG ,uud her slender vast, well
w yea ner delicate ana refined appearance
~, ~ sa1.e also large hat, with gray sweep
rig teathers, aud many of the guests at
10y s.sey y declare they admired her most OF
.'s -"o listers. Seaforth aad always dOn9
sH's' ana lo-Iay she seemed very lovely In
eyes. lie hnge ed by her side, ami he
.'a-sa Tue vicar would 20 away ;aEd the
ti@'4, "lo was no fool, began TO perceive
ths and with the semitic der smile which
'V ih|a'ged in TO cookbook & young
W -Heu- neA the upright wife Of his bosom
""' "ol present, he turned 10 Ruth
i =" III you excuse mo few minutes, my
W At -lts. Aud,ey' he said Il see over
y9"oer one Of my parisLlolers, who, poor
ny oe'ug aHlicted with partial deafness,
ii.y uo1 Fet nave received mucd attel ion,
'Ae you beautiful young creatures natural
!. command. Ah. ah, gou smile. nv dear
: 'ulS 44dy, but Is it not so! IL is but hu-
..AA nature Is it not, Mr.. Seaforth! But
"e poor parsons must sometimes put cur
lIcahaN9us into our pockets and he
'u.ed, took of bis hat, and went away.
.le', rattle good fun, the parson, isn't
neg said ~eat0rlh.
i,,...liess les N'ry amusing; he always makes me
snail y e take little turn II is getting
,e.ner ,.'..l cold tor you TO stand about, cont
u is little chill" answered Ruth. and
'.e Two moved on together pa!up along ona