Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-01-03

Ana now tndU ne ndu hetOlllt nearly
helpless, her attention to him in
creased A stranger, ii present, would
naturally have supposed she was his
daughter and that her easing
aesiduties were prompted by tilial
affection. But Ruth was in no way
related to him, and as her wages were
generally paid in that locality for like
services-her conduct could be attrib
uted to no such selfish motives. No,
she was only obeying the natural i'm
pulses of her own heart.
Mr. Belmont was not unmindful of
her worth. She had watched with
him day and night: she had toiled
hard to keep both his home and ward
robe clean and tidy: she had Striven
in every wav to alleviate his distress.
OF all this he thought as he sat, one
afternoon, leaning back in his easy
chair. and as he muSed new idea
seized him.
Ruth had for somo time been en-
gagged to Young farmer of that town,
Charles Edgeworth, vhO although
clever and Industrious, had the mis-
fortune, if we may so term it, to be
poor Though deeply attached to each
other, the two mutually concluded to
postpone marriage till they should
have accumulated earnings sufficient
to buy some cosy little cottage and
furnish it in comfortable style. Mr..
Edgeworth used frequently, when his
days work was done, to come over in
his boat to Mir. Belmont's to spend the
evening; and it was on one of these
visits that he was made acquainted
with what might we'll be termed q
rather singular proposition.
1T was at the close of glorious
summer day that Ruth. leaving her
aged employer at his favorite seat by
the window. stepped out at the front
DOORWAY and walked slowly a few rods
down the gravelled walk leading to
the water, when she paused, and lean
ing against q giant elm, stood gazing
at the magnificent prospect.
The Slumbering lake, unrullled by a
breath Of air, formed perfect mirror,
rejecting the bold rocks and overhang-
ing FOLIAGE of its winding shores: the
ncighhcling country, charminglv di
varsified with patches of woodland,
pleasant farms, quite hamlets, and
beautiful villas pceping up from amid
the trees. with an occasional church
snire, whose polished vane glittered
brightly in the rays of the setting
sun: while the busy hum of a distant
r}'H T. @ - h'-'l agmn vi " Of the
viii. d. | / .:r ad % n,t cos Sc,
aHd t. - ~ r"e + the '~aim1n AZ
it cana Co.. e a.ross tho water,
blcrd'.. l., III g.; u;Iy with the whole,
and gave an cuiiycninG ali to the
olhelW so tranquil scene.
rs she thus stood leaning in pensiye
attitude. a small ski(f containing one
person shot out from behind little
rromontory of rocks and shrubbery
about half mile oil, and propelled by
the vigorous strokes of the oarSman
advanced rapidly towards where she
was standing. She knew that figure,
though so far away. Charles Edge
worth was coming over to visit her.
After stepping to the house and telling
her employer she would be gone but
few moments, Ruth FASTENED down to
the water.
Edgeworth soon reached the shore,
when he briefly told Miss Wilson he
had a little business to see to over at
the mills, and then he would come
back and pass the evening with her;
saying which he again pushed off, and
continued on his way to the place
designated.
"Ruth! Como here, Ruth - spoke
Mr. Belmont, as his hOusekeeper, hay
ing finished her work in the kitchen,
entered the room where the old gem
tleman was sitting.
"Well ?o said she, inquilingly.
"Take a chair, please and be seated
by my side for | have something OF
special importance to say to you.
She complied, at the same time
wondering what the something
could be.
"Ruth," he continued, in a low,
slightly tlemulouS voice, you we'll
know am on the verge of eternity. y
few short months and | shall be gone,
and then Thomas and George will
seize all of my property and squander
il in riotous dissipation unless | other
wise dispose of it. You have been
very, very kind to me, Ruth-an own
child. if ever so dutiful, could not have
been moro so. But YOU shall be re-
warded, that you shall. indeed, You
are to marry Charles Edgeworth-may
God bless you both But it is truly
hard for young couple just setting
out in life to struggle on IN poverty, Us
YOU two must necessarily do Tor some
years. if not for life. Now | nave d
proposition to make. Should you ac-
cept its terms it would crafty my
earnest wish, reward you for your
kindness to an infirm old man, ana
Justly lisappoint my wicked chiidreh
of their expected patrimony-ln snort
render in tee to all concerned. 1T Is
this. Ruth Wilson, | want you to
marry me-"
Marry you?n and Ruth fairly
sprang to her feet. Marry you ?
Mr.. Belmont tell me what you mean
Surely you cannot mean what you say"
Yes. | do mean it. I'm not sur
prised that you are aStomShed; hut
listen. BY marriage | mean merely
n legal transaction. | ask you to be-
come my nominal wife, so that you
can attend me in my last days, and
then become the owner Of al my
property. OF course | might Will it to
charitable institutions, o. otherwise
dispose of it, but you see Eve taken
notion for you t. have it, ard also
want you to len ny ngme Wh"n you
come into UoSsc son. This Is all, |
shall soon be gone. vuii can taen, when
a prcre time S a. have Sc m 'lry
the mau of YOU" Oh ice. no tc'oine'
by will. legal pos ""'or oI TINS estate
and my othe" proN"ttv. VIII see 10
it that my viii Eo N de- 81 st org tha5
nothing can break t. u hat say YOU
will yCu Mt acce I m plo o'iIrn ~
Ruth m1>cd awhile; t9ere was a
stI Iange look in hor eyes.
"You are ycry kind" she said; !;