Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-02

QUITS, sic tDIlt1 tl1l SoNA - w. SS->>~
where On the broad ocean on bis way to
China to ioin his brother. a tea merchant.
and Was likely to be absent a term OF years
Although oatwardly Ruby managed to
conceal the shock she bad received, she could
not conceal from her own hart that some
thing had gone from her that she missed and
LONGS. for with an Undesirable longing and
q wild regret II vas all the more madden
ing that no ole was to blame for her sorrow
but herself The old places had lost their
charm Everything rni everybody was In
sipid. fat and rlonosonous Ali If he would
only return. how gladly would she acknowl-
edge her love, and how gladly would she
marry him at the earliest date he might nen-
ton Had she known his address at that
time she would have written TO tel him Of
her love and penitence-
-Four years after Jack had gone Ruby wss
a, a fashionable watering place. She wss
still the belle Of every assemblage- Her in
difference and utter earelsssness, combined
with her rare beauty, brought her scores Of
admirers, whom she drove almost mad with
her coldness She was still lovely as ever,
but in her big, brown eyes there was a shade
Of sadness, and slightly absent look which
gave touch Of soul TO face that had here
tofore sparkled with wit and glowed with
gayety and high spirits, but had lacked feel
ing. Now il vas perfect If Jack could
only ste her BOW,
One day she was taking her morning stroll,
and feeling an unaccountable depression Of
spirits. Her great eyes were wearing their
most absent look, and as they wandered over
the crowd that was ever coming and going,
she started violently and her delicate, high
bred face turned as white as the flmy lace at
her throat She fixed an absorbed gaze on
vehicle that was slowly passing. The occu-
pant was a broad shouldered, grand looking
man dressed in gray His shapely head
was crowned with white straw hat,
pair of large, disfiguring spectacles
Of colored glass completely hid his eyes, his
firm mouth was shaded with a long brown
mustache, and between his lips was the in
evitabe cigar. No whiskers hid his firm chin
and fine rounded throat A footman at his
side was driving Il span of spirited blacks In
an instant the equipage was hidden by the
crowd, but Ruby's eyes would have known
that face, that form, if it had been far more
heeting glimpse. She drew 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 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 still the same
- L..,
weary and heartsick.
oh she said aloud, in a troubled voice,
docs he know am here and still remain
alooff
She sat there alone, white and sad; her face
wet with tears, her heart torn with conflict
ing emotions and q 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 a 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, and now she dared not speak to him.
He might receive her patience with scorn,
and might lie married Terrible, cruel
thought While this was passing through
her mind She was startled 10y bearing some
one coming that way whistling. Not wish
ing to be seen, she sprang behind conven-
lent bowlder 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 camo up and stopped beside Jack,
who said, impatently Why did you come
for me so soonr
why, en-, you said come in an hour. and
it is up, sure
II don't believe it's up" Jack cried vio-
ently, 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 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 one is anywhere in sight. don't
want to sit here as show for any one if
can help it,"
Not a soul, sir. to be seen." responded
Peter, cheerily
Then clear out, was the gentle reply.
After Johns 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 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 eifectually from the
gloomy thoughts he was INDUCING in and
gave him a little shock. But as soon as he
aware that it was a woman Yes, woman.
A mad woman, no doubt Did she intend to
strangle him, or WHAT The novelty of it
pleased him He remained perfectly still and
awaited developments like philosopher
"Jack-Jack Hunter, don't you know meg
said fearful voice in his ear
Heavens That voice Ruby!1 he cried
doubtingy, 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 sad My darling. words are not
needed to tell the it Is Ruby, or that you love
me. But tell me-you are still free as am"
He did not ask how or why she happened
to be there He did cot care That she was
there was the one supreme thought of that
happy moment.
II am still Ruby Howard" she murmured
in reply
Thank Cod" he said, reverently, and
for this hour And now, will you, can YOU
heart Of my heart, marry me- as ana
blind manin
Yes, Jack, gladly, if you will have me.
have loused for you ever since you left
the" she whispered
my treasurer he cried ut was cruel
of me We will never part again. we will
get married at once-within the week. he
went on In the eager oyeruastering way