The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-10-31

she could buy and make for the cabin,
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 the
hired man to work laying off garden,
and all that week and the next she
spent her spare 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 manag-
ed to furnish it quite comfortably, and
under her deft fingers all things began
to wear a homelike air. The place lost
its barren and shiftless look, and even
the dog, Harold, seemed to feel the
change. He no longer wandered aim
lessly about, as though seeking com
Portable spot, but went to sleep, a pic
ture of conteutment, on one of those
soft rugs in the siUting-room, 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 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. Nor
once did she grow fretful, or reproach
her husband for taking her so far away
from all that she loved.
lie is doing the best he can" she
always said to herself, 'and what would
a palace be without his love? Besides,
how much | have got to be grateful
for" And somehow the remembrance
of the first evening in the log cabin
would always bring the tears to her
eyes. 1t was such a real proof of his
love and thoughtfulness for her.
When the next spring heightened
into the summer and her sweet face be-
gan to wear a tired look that he did not
ike to see he came to her one evening,
saying gravely:
Ruth, pack your trunk to-
night Tomorrow want to take you
with me to San Diego. Important bus
mess calls me there, and you and
Ruthie both need n change"
But how can you leave the ranch?"
Ruth asked, inst now when you are
most needed?n
''Oh, Redly will take charge of the
place and the men will work for him
as well as for me-"
If Ruth had noticed him just then
very carefully she might have seen a
IL hi, b,+ would
made her suspicious as to his business
trip to San Diego; but like a dutiful
wife she packed up and asked no fool
ish questions.
When they reached San Diego, much
to her surprise, her husband did not go
to hotel. He gave the coachman
some directions, and they were driven
to an elegant looking house in the sub
urbs.
why, didn't know you had friends
here." Ruth exclaimed in surprise.
20. yes," said John. Il have a
number of them. This is the home of
the best friend in the world
Why" John nearly took her breath
away. She thought of her shabby
travelling dress and Ruthie's shabbier
cloak with dismay, but she made up
her mind to make the best of it for
Johns sake, anyway. A lady could al
ways be lady, no matter how sl,e was
dressed.
A neat Chinaman opened the door
ana ushered them into a handsome re-
ception-room. The house was beauti-
full inside, and everything was new and
of the latest fashion. Ruth sunk into
a 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 l seek the master of the
house. He is probably in his study. l
will return when have spoken to him
privately. l know he will be delight
ed 10 know you are here and welcome
you
How strange John never told me
of this friend of his, Ruth said to her
self.
Presently he returned, but not as
she expected, with the master of the
house.
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 began to
look frightened. What if John had
really lost his senses? He had GER
tainly acted queer about this San Diego
trip.
To her further amazement he burst
into loud laugh, and taking stand
in the middle of the room, said with a
polite bow:
Dear Mrs. Delano, allow me to in
troduce to YOU the master of this house,
John Delano, Esq, your humble SER
want. | am monarch of all | survey" :"
John, YOU are really going mad
and | with you. For heavens sake, :"
she entreated, tell me what YOU
meant"
IN tell You what l mean, little
wife" he said. Il mean that | came
to San Diego last year during the land
boom, went iuto real estate business,
and cleared small fortune This is
your home and all that is in it belongs
to Ruth and John Delano. The ranch
and the log cabin were simply a trial
of your love. / wanted to find out
what kind of stuff my wife was made
Of"
"And did you find out?" she asked
of him, woman-hke, 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 trials for me.
Henceforth she shall be queen of my
prosperity"
1T was very pretty little drama
you chose to have me take the princi-
pal part in" she said; ''but | forgive
you, and | am satisfied if YOU are
Completely" he answered, with a
lovers kiss. .
do you know, dear John" she
whispered that night, as she held
Ruthie up for her papa's goodnight
kiss, that doubt if l can ever be as
happy anywhere as l was in that little
log cabin of ours, in spite of all the