Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-06-27


and imagining how picturesque 1T
would look covered with Lady Banks
roses, and how sweet the violet-beds
would be in the springtime.
And so the very next day she set
TIE hired man TO work laying OIL
garden, and all that week ana the next
she spent her time in digging and
hoeing and spading. The following
week John took her to the nearest
town, and she selected the various
articles she desired for the house. She
managed TO furnish it quite comforta-
bly,, and under her deft fingers all
things began to wear homelike air.
The place lost its barren and shiftless
look, and even the dog, Harold,
seemed to feel the change. He no
longer wandered aimlessly about as
though seeking u comfortable spot,
but went to sleep q picture of content
ment on one of the soft rugs in the sit
tingrOom, keeping one Jealous eye
always half open upon his playmate,
Ruthie.
The months sped by, in spite OF all
the hardships she had TO endure-for
life is hard for 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 bee n
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 frctful, or reproach
her husband for taking her so far away
from all she loved.
HE is doing the best he cam she
always said to herself, "and what
would a palace be without his love?
Besides, how much have l got to be
grateful for" And somehow the re-
membrance of their first evening in the
log cabin would always bring tears to
her eyes. 1t was n real proof of his
love and thoughtfulness for her.
When the next Spring heightened
into Summer, and her sweet face be-
gan TO wear tired look that he did
not like TO see, he came TO her one
evening, saying 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 change"
"But how can you leave the ranch, "
Ruth asked, Just now, when you are
most needed"
"Oh. Redly will take charge of the
place and the men will work for him
as well as for me-"
II 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 "busi-
ness trip" to San Diego; but like a
dutiful wife she packed up and asked
no foolish questions.
When they reached San Diego, much
to her surprise her husband did not go
TO a hotel. He gave the coachman
some directions, and they were driven
to an elegant looking house in the
suburbs.
"Why, l didn't know you had friends
here" Ruth exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh, yes" said John. Il have a
number of them. This is the home of
the best friend | have in the world
"Whyn' John nearly took her
breath away. She thought of her
shabby travelling dress and Ruthie's
shabbier cloak with dsmay, but she
made up her mind TO make the best of
it for Johns sake anyway. A lady
could always be lady, no matter how
she was dressed.
a neat Chinaman opened the door.
and ushered them into a handsome re-
ception-room. ] he house was beauti-
full inside, and everything was new and
of the latest fashion. Ruth sank into
finely upholstered easy-chair with a
feeling OF mOmentary content. For a
moment she almost wished she might
be the possessor Of such a home, and
then she put aside the envious wish.
make yourself at home, dear" John
said, "while | seek the master of the
house. He is probably in the study.
| will return when | have spoken with
him privately. know he will be de-
lighted to know you are here and well
come you"
"How strange John never told me oil
this friend OF his" Ruth said to herself,
as she amused herself looking at the
handsome engravings on the table near
her.
Presently he returned, but not as she
expected with the master Of the house,
whom she was feeling little in awe
of.
where is hep" she asked.
Here"
"Here? Why, John, have you lost
your mind? There is no one with
you. You and | are alone" She be-
gan to look frightened. What il John
had really lost his senses. He had
certainly acted queer about this San
Diego trip.
To her further amazement, he burst
into loud laugh, and taking a stand
in the middle Of the floor, said with q
polite bow:
Dear Mrs. Delano, allow me to in
troduce to you the master of this house,
John Delano, Esq, your humble SER
servant. | am monarch OF all SUR
vey."
'John, you are surely going mad
and l with you. For heavens sake,''
she ontreated, "tell me what you
meanw
"Pll tell you what I mean. little
wife," he said. II moan that / came
to San Diego last year during the land
boom, went into real estate business
and cleared a small fortune. This is