Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-22

of approaching the subject to her, and was
surprised and pleased to find that when he
did, instead of opposing it as he had ex-
pected, she almost eagerly embraced the pro-
posal.
In fact, Ruth's pale cheeks and changed
appearance were not due, as her father sup
posed, to unhappiness at her stepmother's
talk against George Forester; but because
in spite of herself she began to feel that her
accusations were not without foundation.
Little by little she learned, from chance
words dropped bv others, that the light in
which her father held George Forester was
that generally entertained in the village.
She knew that he had quarreled with his
father, and that after one of their alterca-
tions he had gone off to Plymouth and en-
listed, only to be bought out by his father
four days afterward.
She knew that he drank, and had taken
part in several serious trays that had arisen
at the little beershop in the village; and
hard as she fought against the conviction,
it was steadily making its way, that her
lover was wholly unworthy of her. And
yet, in spite of his faults, she loved him.
Whatever he was with others, he was gentle
and pleasant with her, and she felt that
were she to give him up his last chance
would be gone. So she was glad to get
surprise of the father and the furious anger
of George Forester, she applied for and
obtained the post of Margaret Carne's
maid.
She had few opportunities of seeing
George Forester now; but what she heard
when she went down to the village on Sun
days was not encouraging. He drank
harder than before, and spent much
of his time down at Dareport and, as some
said, was Connected with a rough lot there
who were fonder of poaching than of fish
ing.
Margaret Carne was aware of what she
considered Ruth's infatuation. She kept
herself we'll informed of the affairs of the
village-the greater portion of which be-
longed to her father and her brother-and
she learnt from the clergyman, whose right
hand she was in the choir and schools. a
good deal OF the village gossip. She had
never spoken to Ruth on the subject during
the nine months she had been with her, but
now she felt she was bound to speak.
What is it, Miss Margaret" Ruth said
quietly in answer to her remark.
Il don't want to vex you, and you win
say it is no business of mine, but think 1t
is. for you know 1 like you very much, be-
sides your belonging to Carnesford. Ofcourse
/ have heard-everyone has heard, you
know-about your engagement to young
Forester. Now a very painful thing has
happened. On the night of the dance our
gamekeepers came across party Of posch-
ers in the woods, as of course you shave
heard, and had fight with them, and one
of the keepers is so badly hurt that they
don't think he will live. He has sworn
that the man who stabbed him was George
Forester, and my brother, as a magistrate,
has just signed warrant for his arrest.
"Now, Ruth, surely this man is not
worthy of you. He bears, hear, on all
sides very bad character, and I think you
will be more than risking your happiness
with such man; think for your own sake
it would be better to give him up. My
brother is very incensed against him; he
has been out with the other keepers to the
place where this fray occurred, and he says
it was most cowardly business, for the
poachers were eight to three, and he seems
to have no doubt whatever that Forester
was one of the party, and that they will be
able to prove it. I do think, Ruth, you
ought to give him up altogether. am not
talking to you as a mistress, you know, but
as a friend"
Il think you are right, Miss Margaret"
the girl said, in low voice. ''I have been
thinking It over in every way. At first
didn't think what they said was true, and
then 1 thought that perhaps, I might be
able to keep him right, and that if 1 were
to give him up there would be no chance for
him. I have tried very hard to see what
was my duty, but think now that I see It,
and that 1 must break off with him. But
oh! it is so hard, she added, with quiver
in her voice, 'ior though I know that
oughtn't to love him, 1 can't help it,
II can quite understand that, Ruth"
mi natl 10 7
anyone should not give him up merely be-
cause everybody spoke ill of him. But,
you see, it is different now. 1t is not merely
suspicion, it is almost absolute proof; and
besides, you must know that he spends most
OF his time in the public house, and that ne
never would make good husband"
II have known that long time" Ruth
said, quietly; "but I have hoped always
that he might change if 1 married him. 1
am afraid can't hope any longer, aud
have been thinking for some time that
should have to give him up. Twill tell him
so now, if have an opportunity"
II don't suppose you will, for my brother
says he has not been home since the affair
in the wood. If he has, he went away again
at once. expect he has made either for
Plymouth or London, for he must know
that the police would be after him for his
share in this business. I am very sorry for
it. Ruth, but do think you will be happier
when you have once made up your mind to
break with him. No good could possibly
come from your sacrificing yourself"
Ruth said no more on the subject, but
went about her work as quietly and orderly
as usual, and Margaret Carne was surprised
to see how brayely she held up, for sheknew
that she must be suffering greatly.
(To be continued nezt Saturday,