Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-07-23

pans - broad shoakGed. grand booking
nan dr..sd IN gray Hs shap.ly hsad
v,s crowned With . vhiss draw has
. pair Of large, di6guring Pectacies
a eolors.i gia. completely hid his sys, bin
arm mouth Vas shadsf vitb long brown
mustache, ard besvesn his lips was the IN
svitabls cigar. No vhiIkel hid bis firm chin
and 1ns rounded throaA foosulan at IN
dds was driving . span Of Ririted blacks In
- Instant the equipage was hidien BY the
crowd. but Rubys eyes would have known
that face, that form. If il bad been Tar more
neeefnx giirIpsa She drew q long breath,
and by the time she reached her hotel and
looked at herself In her rom, she was startled
a. the Joyous brightnes~ ths; sparkled IN ter
eyes snd beamed from every feature AL
day her face wore an eager, expeetant iock,
her eyes were ever searching for sornernlns
At the mop that night il was still the s.ains
She withdrew early and sought her room.
weary and hsartsick
~Oh,- she said aloud. In a troubled voice,
does be know am here. and still remain
alooff
She aat there alone, white and sad. her facs
vet with tears. her heart torn with conflict
ing emotions and terrible feeI that be had
forgotten her The ncxt morning. after
slsepless night she started out alone. her
CHEEKS pale. her spirits dropping. She shaped
her course for a hidden retreat behind the
rocks. where she had often dreamed away
hours uninterrupted As she neared the place
she saw that her fayorite rocky sal was
already occupied by an intruder he Af In
desponding 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 taking any
notice II him, when be changed his position,
removed cigar from his mouth, blew forth
a cloud Of smoke and Ruby saw who IL was
Her footsteps had given 10 sound on the
soft sand He had not heard her She stood
perfectly still, trembling 70 that she could
scarcely stand Here Was the man for whose
presence she had longed for all these sad
years, and now she dared not speak TO him
He might receive her patience with scorn,
and might De married Terrible, cruel
thought While this was passing through
her mind she was startled by hearing soine
one coming that way whistling Not wish
ing 10 be seen, she sprang behind conven-
lent bow lder, just in time to escape the eye
Of the new conner, who was the same man SIZE
had seen with Jack the day before
The uian came up and stopped beside Jack,
who said, impatently Why did you come
for me soonf
why, en-, you said come in an hour. and
it is up, sure.
Il don't believe it's up Jack cried VIC
iently. but because am poor, blind stick
you think you can fool me- But you can't
Go away and let me be in peace il you can
and don't dare to come near me again under
an hour from now Do you understand al
hour from now a whole hour"
Yes, sir, understand" replied poor Peter
deprecatingiy, preparing to move off, after
casting glance at the watch he wore to make
sure of the time
Stay" called Jack, irritably. First tell
the if any one is anywhere in sight | don't
want to sit here a show for any one if !
can help il.
Not a SOUL sir, to be seen." responded
Peter, cheerily
Then clear out, was the gentle reply
After Johns retreating form was lost to
view Ruby stole forth pale and trembling
her cheeks moist with tears OF pity How
wretched lie 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 etfectually from the
gloomy thoughts he was indslging in, and
gave him a little shock But as soon as he
could collect his scattered senses he became
aware that 1t was wonlanl Yes. a woman.
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 a philosopher
''Jack-Jack Hunter, don't you know mef'
said a fearful voice in his ear
Heavens That voicel Ruby" 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 to tell me it is Ruby, or that you love
me. But tell me-you are still free as am
He did not ask how OF why she happened
to be there He did not care. That she was
there WAS the one supreme thought of that
happy moment
81 am still Ruby Howard" she murmured
IN reply
Thank Godr" he said. reverently. and
for this hour And now, will you, can you
heart Of my heart, marry me, as | ana
blind MANI
Yes Jack, gladly, if you will have me
have longed for you ever since you left
me-" she whispered
My TREASURED" he cried ut was cruel
Of me- We will never part again. we will
get married at once-wlthin the week" he
went on in the eager, overmastering way
that she well remembered Your people
will not object, | fondly imagine. for | ON
rich, you know, and all that, besides, am
only blind for season My blindness is the
result Of an accdcnt-happy accident-that
brought me home to consult a specialist He
tells me, If | be patient and very careful.
will see in six months and perhaps sooner.
Oh, If | could only see how But can wait,
and would not change places with any one
on earth Albany Journal