The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-02-14

sparkled with wit, and glowed with
gaycty and high spirits, but had fccl-
ing. Now it was perfect. If Jack
could only see her now.
One day she was taking her. morn
ing stroll, and feeling an unaccount-
able depression of spirits. Her great
eyes were wearing their most absent
look. and us they wandered over the
crowd that WAS ever coming and going,
she started violently aud her delicate,
high-bred face turned as white rs the
tilmy lace at her throat. She fixed AN
absorbed gaze on vehicle that was
slowly passing. The occupant was a
broad -shonldcred, grand-l0oking man
dressed in grey. His shapely head
was crowned with white straw hat.
par of large, distiguring spectacles
of colored glass completely hid his
eyes; his firm mouth was shaded with
long brown mustache, and between
his lips was the inevitable cigar. No
whiskers hid his firm chin aud fine
rounded throat. A footman at his
side was driving a span of spirited
blacks. In an instant the equipage was
hidden by the crowd. but Ruby's eyes
would have known that face, that
form, if it had been far more fieeting
glimpse. She drew a long breath. and
by the time she reached her hotel and
looked at herself in her room, she was
startled at the joyous brightness that
sparkled in her eyes and beamed from
every feature. All day her face wore
an eager, expectant look, her eyes
were ever searching for something.
At the hop that night it was still the
same. She withdrew early and sought
her room, weary and heartsick.
''Oh," she said aloud, in troubled
voice, " does he know [ am here, and
still remain aloofP"
She sat there alone, white and sad:
her face wet with tears; her heart torn
with conflicting emotions, and ter
rIble fear that he had forgotten her.
The next morning, after a seepless
night, she started out alone, her cheeks
pale. her spirits dropping. She shaped
her course for hidden retreat behind
the rocks. where she had often dream
ed away hours uninterrupted. As she
neared the place Ruby saw that her
favorite rocky seat was already occu-
pied by an intruder. He sat in des-
ponding attitude, with his head resting
on his hand and his gaze directed to-
ward the sea. Occupied with her own
thoughts, Ruby was about to turn
away without taking any notice OF
him, when he changed his position. re-
moved cigar from his mouth, blew
forth cloud of smoke aud Ruby saw
who it was.
Her footsteps had given no sound OR
the soft sand. He had not heard her.
She stood perfectly still. trembling SC
that she could scarcely stand. Here
was the man for whose presence she
had longed for all these sad years, anc
now she dared not speak to him. He
might receive her patience with scorn,
and he might be married. Terrible.
cruel thought! While this was passing
through her mind she was startled by
hearing some one 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, impatientiy, "Why
did YOU come for me so soon?"
''Why. sir, you said come in an
hour and it is up sure?"
IL dou't believe its up" Jack cried
violently, "but because | am poor,
blind stick you think you can fool me.
But you can't. lio 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, II whole hour"
Yes. sir, | understand" replied
poor Peter deprecatingly, preparing to
move off, after casting glance ut the
watch he wore to make sure Of the
time.
Stay" called Jack. irritably. "First
tell me if any one is sanywhere in sight.
] don't want to sit here as a show for
any one if l can help it."
"Not soul, sir, to be seen." re-
sponded Peter, cheerily.
Then clear out" was the gentle re-
ply. -
After Johns 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 except her love for
him and wished to comfort 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 thought lie was indulging in,
and gave him little shock. But as
soon as he could collect his scattered
senses he became aware that it was a
womanl Yes, womani A mad
woman, NO doubt! Did she intend tC
strangle him, or whatp The novelty
of it pleased him. He remained per-
fectly still and awaited Development
like philosopher. p,
Jack = Jack Hunter. don't you
know mep" said a fearful voice. in his
ear.
Heavens! That voice! Rubyw ht
cried, doubling, but nevertheless
throwing both arms around her ant
drawing her to him while he raineI
kisses on her face. At last he drew
her gently down on the rock beside
him and said: .'My darling. words arr
not needed to tell me it is Ruby, %
that you love me. But tell me-yoI
| are as free as am"
He did not ask how or why she hap
pened to be there. He did not care
That she was there was the one su
preme thought of that happy moment
IL am still Ruby Howard" she mur
INJURED in reply.
'Thank God" he said. rcyerently
"and for this hour. And nOw-wil
you, can you-heart of my heart, mai
Nv me, as ANA blind man?"
"Yes, Jack, gladly, if you will hav
me. Ihave longcd for you ever sine
you left me-" she whispered.
"My treasurer he cried. "It wa
cruel of me. We will never part again
we will get married ut Once-within
week." he went on in the eager ovel
mastering way that she well rcmcn
bered. "Your people will not object
fondly imagine. for am rich, yo
know, and all that, besides, | am onl
blind for season. My blindness
the result of an accident-happy ace
dent-that brought me home to consu
b specialist He tells me, if | be p;
nent and very careful, will see in 81
months, and perhaps sooner. Oh, if
could only see now! But can wal
/. and / would not change places wit
any one on earth. ~ albany Journal.
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