Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1889-09-06

a
PAIR OF large, disfguring spectacles o
colored glass completely hid his ewes; hi
firm mouth was shaded with a long brown
mustache, and between his lips was tn,
inevitable cigar. No whiskers hid his firm
chin and fine rounded throat A footmar
at his side was driving span Of spirited
blacks. In an instant the equipage wa:
hldden by the crowd, but Ruby's eve.
would have known that face that form, il
~ mad been far more aeeting glimpse
she drew long breath, and by the time
she reached her hotel and looked at hersel,
In her room, she was startled at the ioyous
brightness that sparkled in her ewes and
beamed from every feature All day her
race 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 troubled
voice, "does he know l am here, and still
remain aloofW
She sat there alone, white and sad; her
face wet with tears; her heart torn with
conflicting emotions, and 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 q
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 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 cigar from
his mouth, blew forth a 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 Tor whose presence she had longed
Tor all those sad years, and now she dared
not speak to him. He might receive her
penltence with scorn, and he might be mar
RED! Terrible, cruel thought While this
was passing through her mind, she was
startled by hearing some one coming that
way whistling. 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 soonf'
why, an you said come in an hour
and it is up sure.'
II don't believe it's up" Jack cried, vio-
lently, "but because I am a poor, blind
SUCK you think you can fool me. But you
can't. Go away and let me be in peace il
you can, and don't dare to come near me
again under an hour from now. Do YOU
An hour from now, a whole
hour.
"Yes, sir, I 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 a show for any one if l
can help it.''
"Not a soul, sir, to be seen," 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
vretched he looked-how sad-how
'itied him. She forgot every thing except
Ter love for him and wished to comfort him.
IN the impulse Of the moment she went to
lin and put both soft, round arms around
lis neck and laid her cheek against his.
Her sudden embrace aroused him effect
tally from the gloomy thoughts he was in
lulging in, and gave him little shock. But
IS soon as he could collect his scattered
enses he became aware that it was
woman Yes, a womani A mad woman,
10 Doubt Did she intend to strangle him,
II whatl The novelty of it pleased him. He
perfectly still and awaited de-
-elopments like philosopher.
"Jack-Jack Hunter, don't you know mep
aid a fearful voice in his ear.
Heavens! That voice Rubyp' he cried,
but nevertheless throwing both
rms about her and drawing her to
i'm while he rained kisses on her face. At
ast he drew her gently down on the rock
'eside him and said: O. Ny darling, words
re not needed to tell me it is Ruby, or that
'ou love me. But tell me--you are still free
IS ami"
He did not ask how, or why she happened
o be there. He did not care. That she
vas there, was the one supreme thought of |
hat happy moment.
81 am still Ruby Howard" she muir
nured in reply.
"Thank Godr' he said, reverently, land
or this hour. And now, will you, can you
leart Of my heart, marry me, as / ana
,lind mani"
"Yes, Jack, gladly, If you will have me.
have longed for you ever since you left
me-" she whispered.
" My treasured" he cried. at was cruel |
4 me. We will never part again; we will |
yet married at once-wlthin the week." he |
vent on, in the eager, r,overmastering way that |
he well remembered. "Your people will not |
bject, fondly imagine, for am rich, you
now, and all that, besides am only blind |
or a season. My blindness is the result Of |
N accident, happy accident-that brought |
ne home 10 consult a specialist. He tells
ne if be patient and very careful will |
zee In six months, and perhaps sooner. Oh, |
I / could but only see now But can wait /
md would not exchange places with any one
N earth. ."-''Oliver Ju, in Albany Journal