The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1889-07-05

hneers all things began to wear ahome.
like air. The place lost its barren and
shiftless look, and even the dog, Harold,
seemed to feel the change. He nc
longer wandered aimlessly about as
though seeking q comfortable spot, but
went to sleep a picture Of contentment
ON n of the soft rugs in the sitting.
room, keeping one jealous eye always
half upon his playmate, Ruthie.
The months sped by. in spite Of all
the hardships she had to endure-for
life is hard for a woman in a new coun.
try--on light wings for Ruth. She
made the best of all her trials, and was
as sweet and contented as she had been
in the fair home they had once owned
and lost. Though often her limbs
ached and her head was weary with the
weight of work which fell to her share,
she e complained. Not n G did
she grow %fretful, or reproach her hus-
band for taking her SO far away from all
that she loved.
sHe is doing the best he cam" she
always said to herself, land what would
a palace he without his love? Besides,
how much I have got to he grateful
for" And somehow the remembrance
of their first evening in the log cabin
would always bring tears to her eyes
II was such o real proof of his love and
thoughtfulness for her.
When the next spring heightened
into the summer, and her sweet face
began to wear q tired look that he did
not like to see, he came to her one even
ing, saving gravely:
Ruth. pack your trunk tonight. To-
morrow / want to take you with me to
San Diego. Important business calls
me there. and you and Ruthie both
need a change"
"But how you leave the ranch,
Ruth asked, sjust now, when you are
most needed?"
"Oh, Redly will take charge of the
place and the men will work for him as
we'll as for me-"
If Ruth had noticed him just then
very carefully, she might have seen a
twinkle in his eye that would have made
her suspicious as to this business trip"
to San Diego; but like a dutiful wife
she packed up and asked no foolish
questions.
When they reached San Diego, much
to her surprise, her husband did not go
to a hotel. He gave the coachman
some directions, and they were driven
to on elegant looking house in the SUI
burbs.
@Why, I didn't know you had friends
here!" Ruth exclaimed in surprise.
ooh, yes," said John. II have a num-
Der of them. This is the home of the
best friend I have in the world"
"Why!" John nearly took her breath
away. She thought of her shabby
travelling dress and Ruthie's shabbier
cloak with dismay, but she made up
her mind to make the best of it for
Johns sake, anyway. A lady could al-
ways he q lady, no matter how she was
dressed.
A neat Chinaman opened the door,
and ushered them into q handsome re.
ception.room. The house was beautiful
inside; and everything was new and Of
the latest fashion. Ruth sank into a
finely upholstered e~asy-chair, with a
feeling Of m~omentary content. For a
moment she almost wished she might be
the possessor of such a home, and then
she put aside the envious wish.
snake yourself at home, DEAR" John
said. while I seek the master of the
house. He is probably in his study. ]
will return when I have spoken with
him privately. know he will be de.
lighted to know You are here and vel,
come you"
@How strange John never told me Of
this friend Of his" Ruth said to herself,
% she amused herself looking at the
handsome engravings on the table nea,
her.
Presently he returned. but not a. she
expected with the master Of the house,
whom she vas feeling q little in awe of,
sWhere is he?' she asked.
@Here.n
eHerea Why, John. have you lost
your mind9 There is no one with you.
You and I are Alone" She began "a
look frightened. What il John had
really Lost his senses. He had certainly
acted queer about this San Diego trip,
To her further amazement. he hnrst
into . loud laugh and taking 9 stand In
the middle Of the floor. said with 1
polite bows
*Desr Mrs. Delano. allow mo TO in.
troduce to you the master Of this house,
John pelano. Eaq.. your humble ser,
want. Fam monarch At Ill I survey
*John, you aEe surely going mad and
I With you. For Heaven's saks,s she
sptreated, stell me what you meansr
sIIl tell yop Whist I mean, Httls
wife, kssaids msan thatI oane4d
81 ntssc laet 80 during ~ laad
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