South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1889-09-13

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~ thiags she could buy and make
for The cabin, imagining how pictur.
esque Is would look covered with Is
dy banks roses and bow sweet tie
violet beds would be in the spring
time.
And 30 the very next day she set
the hired man to work laying of
garden. aud ali that week aad tie
next she spont her spare time in
digging aud hoeing and spadlug.
The following week John took her 60
the nearest town and che selcc-
ted the various articles che desired
for the house. She managed TO fur
nish II quite comfortably, and under
her def fingers all ihirgs began to
bear Lomelke air. Tue place lost
ITS barren aud shi't!ess look, and ev,
en- the dog Harold seemed to feel the
change. He no longer wandered
aimiessly about as though seeking q
comfortable spot, but went to sleep
picture OF contentmen. on Que Of
the soft rugs in the sitting room,
keeping one Jealous eye always half
open upon bis plsyms Ruihie.
Tue months sped by. in spite Of ell
the hardships she had to eniure-for
life is hard for q woman in q new
coun,ry-on light wings for Ruth.
She made tue best Of ell Der trials.
aud was as sweet and contented as II
she had been in the fair home they
had owned and lost. Though often
her limbs ached and her head was
weary with the weight OF work which
fell to her share, she never complain.
ed. Not once did she grow ftetful
or reproach her husband for taking
her so fer from all that che loveit
He Ia doing the best he can she
always said to herself, 'and what
would palace be without his lover
Besides, how much have TO be CRATE.
full for. And somehow the remem.
brance OF their first evening in the
log cabin would always bring The toars
to her eyes. 1t was such real proof
of his love aud though.fuluess for
her.
When the next spring heightened
into the summer, AMI her sweet face
began to wear tired look that lac did
not Ike to sec, be csme 10 her one
evening, saying graYcly:
Ruth pack your trunk to night.
Tomorrow want TO take you with
me to San Diego. Important busi-
ness calls me there, and you anu
Ruthie both need change
But how can you leave he ranch?
Ruth asked, Just now, when you are
most needed?'
oh, Redly will take charge Of the
place end the men will work for him
as we'll as for me-
Ii Ruth had noticed him just then
very carefully she might have seen a
twinkle in his eye tha, would have
made her suspicious as TO this 'busi.
ness trip 10 San Diego; but like a
dutifui wife she packed up ana ask
ed no foolish questions.
When they reached San Diego,
much TO her surprise, her husband
did not 60 to hotel. lie gave the
coachman some directioas and iLoy
were driven to an elegant-looking
house in the suburbs.
why, didn't know you had
friends here ! exclaimed Ruth In sur.
prise.
'O5, yes.' said John, Il hayo q
numb of them. This is the home
of tbs best friend have in tue worlt.'
'Whyp John nearly toJk her
breath away. She thought of har
shabby travelling dress and Ruthie's
shabbier cloak with dismay, bat shs
made up her mind to m lko the hes.
Of it for Johns sake. anyway. 4
LAZY could always be LADY, no mat
ter how She dressed.
A neat Chinaman opene the door
and usbcred thCm into a handsome
reception room. Tue house was
beautiful inside, and everything was
new aud OF the latest fashion. Roth
sank into finely upholstered easy
chair with n feeling of momeu tary
coatent. For a moment she almost
wished she might be the possessor Of
such home. and thea she put aside
the eDvious wish.
Make yourself at home, dear
John said, while | see the master Of
the house. lie is probably in his
study. ! will return when have
spoken with him privately. | know
he will be delighted 70 know you are
here and will welcome you.
How strange John never told me
of this friend Of his Ruth said to
herself, looking at the handsome en-
cravings on the table near her.
Presently he returned, but not, as
she expected, with the master of The
house, whom she was feeling little
in awe of.
Where is hep she asked.
Here
'HereH Why John. have you lost
your mind9' There Is no one With
you. You and are alone She be-
gan TO look frightened. What il
John bad really lost his fcnses2 lie
bad certainly acted queer about this
San Diego trip.
To her further amszement he burst
into a loud laugh and taking q etapd
ia the middle OF he room, said With
a polite bow:
Dear Mrs. Delano, allow me TO
Introduce TO you the master Of this /
house, John DelsnO, Esq, your hum
hla safvnpt Il -, ...e-..-a r - r I