The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1889-06-26
THROUGH THE ; NIGHT,
Or A Daughter's Devotion.

Though Ruth and Grace Fletcher
had offered to go 10 work after their
fathers failure, be had refused all
offers Of such assistance. The blow
of losing his fortune had made an
invalid out of the sturdy man of
business, aud both the girls saw
their little stock Of money gradually
dwlndle away.
BY the and of DIR. Gray, a friend
1T the family, they were able to sell
to an advantage the jewels their
father had given them in prosperous
days, and with the proceeds a COM
Portable cottage was rented where
MIR. Fletcher was speedily moved.
When money began to be scarce
again Grace announced that she Was
gong tp disobey her father and look
for work. Ruth would be needed
at home 70 look after the needs of
the Invalid. =
With Grace, to determiue was to
act. The next morning she wentto
the city in search Of employment.
ruth, what do YOU think? Levi
sOh x Blake have offered me posi-
tion IN their house at fifteen dollars
week she exclaimed, on her re-
turn late IN the day.
"l.evison L Blake?" cried Ruth in
astonishment. But, surely, you
cannot 20 10 them:"
Il must, said trace, sadly. 1T
is the only place that offered. Mr..
l.esison does not know that sent
his only sou away from his home, or
he wouh not have been so kind 10
me. Oh, how | hate myself for
listening TO Mary Reeds lies about
my darling. How she exulted when,
after he had left me in anger, be-
cause Of my doubling his love, she
confessed that she had determined TO
part u, aud had made her brother
tell him that ! was longing for my
freedom"
"But why do you not write and
tell Felix this!' asked practical,
straightforward Ruth.
Il cannot" sobbed Grace. "IIe
was 50 harsh and scornful TO me that
my proud heart will not let me con-
fess. But OH love him 50; and |
am so sorry, 50 sorry
Aud poor Grace, who had borne
her sorrOw 80 silently that not even
Ruth knew how she suffered. broke
down now that the barrier of silence
was removed, and wept a. il her
heart were breaking. But the next
morning, after she had gone into
the city (for she entered at once
upon her work., Ruth found bit
uf paper on which was written, over
and over again, with sweet reitera-
ltion:
"fclix. ! love you! Forgive me
and CONC back tO me."
And sitting down, she wrote a
simpIsttustful letter 10 the lover
who was wandering abroad because
Of her sisters scorning, telling him
what Grace had said, and enclosing
the biz Of paper. which she hoped
would appeal 10 that lovers heart
far better than anything she could
say.
Of course, Grace could only see
her father for while each morn
ing and evening. The doctor would
not permit him 30 be told Of her
work: and when be asked for her,
and day after day Ruth answer wa.
the same-that ''Grace had gone in.
10 the city for u little whilc"-he
grew angry, and one night accused
her Of having grown tired Of thC
care Os her poor, sick, father. and
II leaving him for the society Of heI
gay, Young companions.
Ruth could not endure that ID
silence.
oh. father she cried. "Do moi
say such cruel things trace leave,
YOU not for pleasure, but for har
work. We should staryc IL il wer,
not for her! She has earned ever,
dollar We have had for the last
month"
For a moment her IA her gazet
at her ia silent, specchless rage
then his anger burst forth, anC
turning to Grace, he said, with crue
lfOrce: