Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-05-01

hoeing and spading. The following
week John took her to the nearest
town, and she selected the various ar
ticles she desired for the house. She
furnished it quite comfortably, and I'M
der her deft fingers all things began to
wear a homelike air. The place lost it's
barren and shiftiess look, and even the
dog, Harold, seemed to feel the change.
He no longer wandered aimlessly about
as though seeking q comfortable spot,
but went to sleep a picture of content
ment on mt of the soft rugs in the sit
ting-room, keeping n jealous eye al
ways half open upon his playmate,
Ruthie.
The months sped by, in spite of all
the hardships she had to endure-for
life is hard Tor 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 never complained. Not once did
she grow f~retful, or reproach her hus-
band for taking her SO far away from all
that she loved.
"He is doing the best he can" she al
ways said to herself. land what would a
palace be without his love? Besides,
how much I have got to be grateful
fer" And somehow the remembrance
of the first evening in the 10y cabin
would always bring the tears to her
eyes. 1t was such a real proof of his
love and thoughtfuiness for her.
When the next spring heightened
into summer. and her sweet face began
=, +s~-J 11ol- 41,-t - a. -~4 HI
to see, he came to her one evening, say
ing ~gravely:
Ruth, pack your trunk tonight.
Tomorrow | want to take you with me
to San Diego. Important business calls
me there, and you and Ruthie both
need a change"
"But how can you leave the RANCH"
Ruth, asked, "iust now when you are
most needed?"
"Oh, Redly will take charge of the
place and the men will work TOR him as
well 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 upand asked no foolish
questions.
When they reached San Diego, much
to her surprise her husband did not 60
to the hotel. He gave the coachman
some directions, and they were driven
to an elegant-looking house in the sub
urbs.
"Why, l didn't know you had friends
here u Ruth exclaimed in surprise.
ooh, ves," said John. Il have a
number 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 trav-
cling dress and Ruthless shabbier cloak
with dismay, but she made up her
mind to make the best of it for Johns
sake, anyway. A lady could always be
a lady, no matter how she was dressed.
A neat Chinaman opened the door,
and ushered them into a handsome re-
ception room. The house was beauti-
full inside, and everything was new and
of the latest fashion. Ruth sank into a
finely upholstered easy chair with a
feeling Of momentary content. For a
moment she almost wished that she
might be the possessor of such a home,
and then she put aside the envious
wish.
MAKE yourself at bone, DEAR" John
said, while [ seek the master of the
house. He is probably in his study. [
will return when | have spoken with
him privately. I know he will be de-
lighted to know you are here and well
come you"
Glow strange John never told me of
this friend OF his" Ruth said to her
self, as she amused herself looking at
the handsome e~ngravings on the table
near her.
Presently he returned, but not as she
expected with the master of the house,
whom she was feeling a little in awe of.
where is he ?" she asked.
"Here."
"Here? Why, John, have you lost
mind There is no one with YOU.
You and I are alone" She began to
look frightened. What if John had
really lost his senses. He had certain
ly acted queer about this San Diego trip.
To her further amazement, he burst
a loud laugh, and taking a stand in
the middle of the room, said with a po-
lite bow:
"Dear Mrs. Delano, allow me to in
troduce to you the master OF this house,
John Delano, ESQ.,, your humble serv-
ant. I am monarch of all I survey"
John, you are surely going mad and
| with you. For heavens sake" she
entreated, s'tell me what you meant"
"Iutel you what mean, little wife,"
he said. 81 mean that I came to San
Diego last year during the land boom,
went into real estate business and
cleared a small fortune. This is your
home, and all that is in it belongs TO
Ruth and John Deiano. The ranch and
the log cabin was simply a trial of your
love. I wanted to find out what kind of
stuff nv wife was made Of"
"And did you find out? ?" she askedgof
him, woman-like, not knowing whether
to laugh or cry over this great joy.
Indeed | did. She was weighed in
the balance and not found wanting. [
know now that her love was strong
enough to brave all trial for me.
Henceforth she shall be queen of my
prosperity.
at was a very pretty little drama you
chose to have me take the principal
part in" she said; "but I forgive you,
aud I am satisfied ifyou are."
Completely" he answered with a
lover kiss.
do you know, dear john" she
whispered that night, as she held
Ruthie up for her papa's goodnight
kiss, "that / doubt if | can ever be as hap