Wichita eagle., 1889-01-17

"
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 stin the same.
She withdrew early and sought her room,
weary and heartsick
"Oh," she said aloud. in a troubled
voice, ''does he know am here, and still
remain aloofs'
She sat there alone, white and sad; her
face wet with tears; her heart torn with
conflicting emotions, and q terrible fear
that he had forgotten her. The next morn
ing, after sleepiess 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 dreamed away hours uninter-
rupted As she neared the place
she saw that her favorte rocky seat was
already occupied by an intruder He sat
In responding 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 Of him, when he
changed his position, removed cigar from
his mouth, blew forth cloud of smoke, and
Ruby saw who 1t was.
Her footsteps had gwen 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
penitence with scorn, and he might be mar
riedI 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 convenient bowlder, just in
time to escape the eyes of the newcomer,
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 soonl''
''Why, an you said come in an hour
and it is up sure"
81 don't believe It's up,' Jack cried VIC
lently, "but because / am 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
understands An hour from now, a whole
hour.
"Yes, sir, 1 understand replied poor
Peter, deprecatingly, preparing to move OF,
after casting glance at the watch he wore
to make sure Of the time.
"Stay," called jack irritably. First tell
me if any one is anywhere in sight don't
want to sit here as show for any one if l.
can help it."
mot a soul, sir, to be SEEN" responded
Peter, cheerily.
Then clear out" was the gentle reply.
After Peter retreating form was lost to
view Ruby stole forth pale and trembling
her checks moist with tears of pity. How
wretched he looked-how sad-how she
pitied him. She forgot every thing 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 effect
uaily from the gloomy thoughts he was in
dulging in, and gave him little shock But
as soon as he could collect his scattered
senses he became aware that it was a
womani Yes, woman! a mad woman,
no doubt! Did she intend to strangle him,
or what2 The novelty of it pleased him. He
renamed perfectly still and awaited de-
blackjack Hunter, don't you know mean
said fearful voice in his ear
Heavens, That voice Rubyr' 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: I" 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 l 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.
:" l am still Ruby Howard" she muir
INJURED IN reply.
{" Thank Godi'' he said, reverentlv, land
for this hour. And now, will you, can you
heart of my heart, marry me, as | ana
blind man!"
g Y es, Jack, gladly, if you will have me.
have longed for you ever since you left
me- she whispered.
My treasurer he cried alt 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 am rich, YOU
know, and all that, besides am only blind
for season. Ny blindness is the result Of
an accident, happy accident-that brought
ne home to consult a specialist He tells
me if l be patient and very careful | will
see IN six months, and perhaps sooner Oh,
4 could but only see now But can wait
and would not exchange places with any one
on earth "-"Oliver Ju, - in Albany Journal !