The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-02-16

papt was broad shOuldered, grand looking
man dressed in gray His shapcly head
was crowned with white straw hat,
a pair Of large, disfiguring spectacles
Of colored glass completely hid his eyes, his
firm mouth was shaded with long brown
mustache, and between his lips was the in
evitabe cigar No whiskcrs hid his firm chin
and fine rounded throat. A footman at his
side was driving IA span Of spirited blacks In
an instant the equipage was hidden 10y the
crowd, but Ruby's eyes would have known
that face, that form, if it had been far more
neeting glimpse. She drew IA 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 sparkied IN her
! eyes and bcamed 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 a troubled voice,
docs he know | am here, and still remain
aloofW
wet with tears; her heart torn with conflict
ing emotions and terrible fear that he had
forgotten her The next morning, after
sleepless 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 favorite rocky seat was
already occupied by an intruder. He sat in
a 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 Of him, when he changed his position,
removed IA cigar from his mouth blew forth
cloud Of smoke and Ruby saw who it was
Her footsteps had given 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 these sad
years, aud now she dared not speak to him.
He might receive her patience with scOrn,
and might be married Terrible, cruel
thought While this was passing through
her mind she was startled by hearing some
one coming that way whstling. Not wish
ing to be seen, she sprang behind conven-
lent bowIder, 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, impaticntly; "Why did you come
for me soon"
"Why, en-, 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 mo bo 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, whole hour"
YES, sir, 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 ono is anywhere in sight. | don't
want to sit bere as IA show for any one if | /
can help itn
mot "A soul, sir, to be seen," responded .
Peter, cheerily
"Then clear out" was the gentle reply.
After Johns retreating form was lost to .
Wow Ruby stole forth pale and trembling ,
her cheeks moist with tears of pity How !
wretched he Iooked-how sad-how she pited ,
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 elicctually from the |
gloomy thoughts he was indulging in, and |
gave him littlo shock. But rs soon as no
could collect his scattered senses he became !
aware that it was ri woman Yes, "A womanl
A mad woman, no doubtl Did She intend to ,
stranglo him, or what2 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 fearful voice in his ear.
Heavens! That voicol Ruby" he cried,
doubtngly, 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 mo it is Ruby, or that you love
me- But tell me-you are still free rs | am.
lle did not ask how or why she happened |
TO b, .here He did not care That she was
there was the one supreme thought of that
happy moment
II am still Ruby Howard" she murmured |
in reply
"Thank God" he said reverently, "and |
for this hour And now, will you, can you |
heart of my heart, marry me, as | ana
blind mani"
Eyes Jack gladly if you will have Inc.
! have longed for you ever since you left |
me- she whispered.
"My treasurer he cried. at was cruel |
of me We will never part again, We will |
get married at once--within 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 n season. My blindness is the |
result of an accident--happy accident--that |
brought me home TO consult a specialist He |