Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-12

at herself In her room, she was startled a
the joyous brightness that sparkled in be
eyes and beamed from every feature. AL
day her face wore an eager, expectan
look, her eyes were ever searching fol
something. At the hop that night it wa
still the same. She withdrew early anc
sought her room, weary and heartsick.
"Oh," she said, aloud, in troubled
voice, "does he know l am here, and still
remain aloof?"
She sat there alone, white and sad hel
face wet with tears; her heart torn with
conflicting emotions, and terrible feaI
that he had forgotten her. The next morn.
ing, after sleepless night, she started out
alone, her cheeks pale, her spirits droop.
ing. She had shaped her course for a
hidden retreat behind the rocks, where
she had oft dreamed away hours uninter-
rupted. As she neared the place she saw
that her favorite rocky seat was already
occupied by an intruder. He sat in a de-
spending attitude with his head resting on
his hand and his gaze directed toward the
sea. Occupied with her own thoughts,
Ruby was about to turn away without tax
| ing any notice of him, when he changed
his position, removed a cigar from his
mouth, blew forth cloud of smoke, and
Ruby saw who it was.
Her footsteps had given no sound on the
soft sand. He had not heard her. She
stood perfectly still, trembling so that she
| could scarcely stand. Here was the man
for whose presence she had longed for all
those sad years, and now she dared not
speak to him. He might receive her pen
itence with scorn, and he might be mar
ried. Terrible, cruel thought While
| this was passing through her mind she was
startled by hearing someone coming that
way whistling. Not wishing to be seen,
she sprang behind a convenient boulder.
just in time to escape the eyes of the new
conner, who was the same man she had
seen with Jack the day before.
The man came up and stopped beside
Jack, who said, impatiently, "Why did you
come for me so soon"
"Why, en- you said come in an hour
and 1t IS up, sure"
Il don't believe it's up" Jack cried VIC
lently, "but because / am a poor, blind
stick, you think you can fool me. But
you can't. Go away and let me be in
peace, if you can, and don't dare to come
near me again under an hour from now.
Do you understand? an hour from now :;
whole hour"
"Yes, sir, [ understand" replied poor
Peter deprecatingly, preparing to move
oil, after casting glance at the watch he
wore to make sure of the time.
Stay" called JACK, irritably. "First
tell me is anyone anywheres in sight.
don't want to sit here as a show for any,
one if | can help it."
" Not soul, sir, to be SEEM" responded
Peter cheerily.
"Then clear out" was the gentle reply.
After Peters retreating form was lost to
view Ruby stole forth, pale and trembling
her cheeks moist with tears of pity.
How wretched he looked-how sad-how
she pitied him. She forgot everything ex-
cept her love for him and wished to COM
fort him. On the impulse of the moment,
she went to him, and put both soft, round
arms around his neck, and laid her cheek
against his. Her sudden embrace aroused
him effectually from the gloomy thoughts
he was indulging in, and gave him a little
shock. But, as soon as he could collect his
scattered senses he became aware that it
was woman Yes, W man! A mad
woman no doubt! Did she intend to
strangle him, or what? The novelty of it
pleased him. He remained perfectly still
and awaited developments like philoso-
pher.
"Jack-Jack Hunter, don't you know
me?" said fearful voice, in his ear.
Heavens! That voice Rubyw he cried,
doubtingly, but nevertheless throwing both
arms about her and drawing her to him
while he rained kisses on her face. At last
he drew her gently down on the rock
beside him and said "My darling, words
are not needed 10 tell me it is Ruby, or
that you love me. Tell me-you are still
free as / am"
He did not ask how, or why she happened
to be there. He did not care. That she
was there, was the one supreme thought of
that happy moment.
:" am still Ruby Howard" she MUIR
INJURED in reply.
Thank Godw he said, reverently, land
for this hour. And, now, will you, can you
heart OF my heart, marry me, as | ana
blind man %
"Yes, Jack, gladly, if you will have me.
l have longed for you ever since YOU left
me-" she whispered
"My treasurer he cried. at was cruel
of me. We will never part again; we
will get married at once-within the
week." he went on in the eager over
mastering way, that she well remembered.
Your people will not object / fondly
imagine, for l am rich, you know, and
all that, besides am only blind for sea-
son. Ny blindness is the result of an ac-
cident, happy accident that brought me
home to consult specialist. He tells me
If be patient and very careful will see
IN SIX months, and perhaps sooner. Oh, if
| could but only see now But can wait
and l would not exchange places with any
one on earth. Albany Journal