The Red Cloud chief., 1890-12-26

rags with . dirty baby on her lap after
she had heard Mrs Rsynor's request
do rs ye like about it" said the
fond father. "YOung uns are most too
thick around here"
well. We ken take her" said MrA
Hunter. nOdding to Mrs. Rsynor. AN
IL she don't like it over there among
your young uns she - come back any
day." This WAS said In the most indie
pendent and airy fashion. as though
there wa every possibility that Ruth
might not like life in the Raynor fam
lily At all.
Mrs. Raynor smiled as she thanked
Mrs. Hunter, and then she took Ruth
home with her.
The child was overjoyed. Nice clothes
and kindness soon developed her self.
respect and she loved her benefactress
As only q young savage a love. She
was bright and quick. and learned with
surprising rapidly. The winter went
by and she still remained at the Ray
nora The summer and another winter,
and year sitter year slipped away and
she was sHll there
At last Ruth was twelve years old.
and . very sweet and lovely Ruth she
had grown 70 Be. Her comfort and JOY,
however, were soon to end. One day
her mother came over to the RaynOrs
and told Ruth that they. the Hunters.
were about to move 'sout West and she
must 60 with them. Tears and en-.
treaties were of no avail. Tho miserar
bic, ignorant woman had long been
Jealous of Ruth's affection for Mrs
Kayn.., and she now declared that Ruth
must come home and share the fortunes
Of the family. So the poor child went
away with her u~nlovely family into .
life that was hateful to her. For time
she wrote frequently to Mrs. Raynor,
but as the years went by letters came
less frequently, and at last, after the
RaynOrs removed to another town, they
ceased to hear from Ruth altogether
Time moved on and brought sad
changes to the Raynors- One by n
the rosy-cheeked children Sickened and
died, and Mr.. Raynor soon followed
them. Mrs. Raynor found herself alone
and penniless, for her husbands affairs
were in . bad way, and his property
had been seized by his creditors
She struggled for a time. bat sickness
eventually overpowered her. and. as she
was destitute, she was taken to the
almshouse.
Here, on New Years morning she lay.
helpless and sick at heart She put her
thin hand over her eyes to hide the
tears of humiliation which trickled
slowly YER her cheeks. Silently she
asked herself how she had sinned that
she must be punished thus? Had she
not always given out kindness wher.
ever and whenever she could? Had not
her heart always been full of pity,
mercy and charity, and her hands ready
to help the needy? Yet here she was,
ill. old and a pauper. a recipient Of pub
lie aims. ut is greater than I can
bear" she grOaned, as the full force of
her humiliation came upon her.
Somebody began to sing in the next
room. 1t was poor old Nancy. one OF
the county's feeble-minded children.
In . ~quavering voice she sung:
Bread upon the waters cast
Shall be gathered at the last"
The words blazed before the brain OF
Mrs. Raynor and she repeated them
Bread upon the waters cast
Shall be gathered at the last"
All. hut it was not true-thc promise
in these words was nOt true, it was not
true. Had she not cast her bread upon
the waters in deeds of kindness, again |
and again? Yet here she was, fOrsaken.
The tears gushed forth anew-tears OF