Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-02-13

She sat there alone, white and SAD; ner
face wet with tears; her heart torn with
conflicting emotions, and a terrible fear
that he had forgotten her. The next morn
ing, 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 uninter-
rupted. As she neared the place
she saw that her favorite 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
Tor all those sad years, and now she dared
not speak TO him. He might receive her
penitence with-scorD, and he might be mar
riedl Terrible, cruel thought While this
was passing through her mind, she was
startled by hearing some one coming that
way WhStnng. Not wishing to be seen, she
sprang behind aconvenient bowlder, Justin
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 il is up sure.n
II don't believe It's up" Jack cried, VIC
lently, "but because l am a 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 hour from now. Do YOU
understands An hour from now, a whole
hour.
eyes, sir, 1 understand" replied Door
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. l don't
want to sit here as show for any one if l
can help it,"
'Not soul, sir, to be SEEM" responded
Peter, cheerily.
Then clear out" was the gentle reply.
After Peters 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 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
uaIIy 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
womanl Yes, a woman! A mad woman.
no doubt! Did she intend to strangle him.
or whats The novelty of it pleased him. He
renamed perfectly still and awaited de-
velopments like a philosopher
"Jack-Jack Hunter, don't You know me9n
said fearful voice in his ear
Heavensl That voice! Rubyl,, he cried
doubtingiy, but nevertheless throwing both
arms about her ana 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 l aml'
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
Il am still Ruby Howard" she MUIR
INJURED in reply.
Thank Godl' he said reverentlv. .sand
for this hour. And now, will you, can Won
heart Of my heart, marry me, as 1 ana
blind mans"
" Yes, Jack, gladly, if you will have me.
nave longed for you ever since you left
me, - she whispered
My treasurer he cried cit was crual
OF me. We will never part again; we will
get married at once-wlthin the week. he
,wenton, in the eager, overmastering way that
she well remembered. ''Your people will not
object, fondly imagine, for am rich. Won
know, and all that, besides 1 am only blind
Tor season. My blindness is the result of
an accident happy accident-that brought
me home to consult n specialist. He tells
me II be patient and very careful will
see IN six months, and perhaps sooner. Oh.
II could but only see now! But can wait
and would not exchange places with anv one
on earth. "-"Oliver Ju," in Albany Journal.