Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-01-23
HER GUARDED SECRET

"When I shall discover a woman who
declines to speak evil, whether with or
without cause, of another. then l shall
love, and not until then"
These words were spoken half jestingly
and half cynically by Theodore Darleigh-
a grave-faeed, keen-eyed, handsome man
of thirty. The speech echoed impressively
through Ruth Avery's heart and brain; she
wondered if it implied some rebuke for her;
if he counted her, too, among those who
were ready to think and speak unkindly of
others. Ruth was one of few who oC-
casionally subject their thoughts, deeds
and motives to a severe and searching ex-
animation. She wished to see what was
right, simply for pure rights sake; but all
the same she desired Mr.. Darleigh's good
opinion, and his half jesting and cynical
comment had strangely disturbed her
sensitive heart. She had dreamed that he
might love her There had been times
when she fancied that his grave face
frightened at her presence, that his voice
took softer tone, bis dark eyes tenderer
light when she was near him. She recall
ed his words now as she sat watching the
ground at the further side of the long
parlor
The newly-engaged governess had Just
entered with two rosy little lads-Ruth' s
motherless nephews the children of her
brother Chester. Chester Avery at the
moment was chatting in friendly fashion
with the governess, and Mr. Darleigh was
turning over pile Of music at the piano.
As Ruth silently watched the group, it
occurred to her, as it had several times be-
fore, that the new governess-Miss Eldridge
was singularly familiar to her, somehow.
The straight, slight figure, the delicate and
colorless profile, the midnight eyes, the
massi7e coil of black hair-all impressed
Ruth with vague feeling that she bad
somewhere met Miss Eldridge previously.
Theodore Darleigh, turning over the music,
presently adjusted sheet before him and
struck the opening chords OF "The Roman
Charioteer"
"Do you not sing it, Miss EldridgeH he
asked
For second Miss Eldridge made no
response. At the opening chords of the
song her whole attitude and expression
changed. She started as if before a
threatened blow; scarlet spot like flame
leaped to her colorless cheeks; her mid
night eyes dilated as If with terror.
II am hardly equal to singing it now,"
she said at length, with the piteous failure
of smile.
Ruth, sitting at the opposite end of the
room, had noticed the agitation of the new
governess. Der own face whitened, and
she could scarcely restrain the cry which
quivered on her lips. She knew now
where she had met Miss Eldridge. Memory
pictured the scene-a glorious Southern
sky, the thronged sea of brilliant South
ern city, grim prison-building looming
blackly against the dazzling sunlight, the
iron doors yawning to receive weeping
girl who had been accused of theft, and
not far away band playing the weirjly
resonant air of ''The Roman Charioteer.
In that weeping prisoner she recognized
Miss Eldridge, and she did not marvel that
the governess had shuddered at the sound
of the strain, which must ever be ass0cia-
ted in remembrance with a scene of pain
and ignomy.
In that moment, in the shock Of that re-
cognition, Ruth Avery deemed her duty
clear. A girl with such blot upon her
past was surely not desirable instructress
and companion for those two innocent
little lads. And there was no doubt about
the accusation against Miss Eldridge.
Ruth herself had been stopping at one of
the hotels in the fashionable Southern re-
sort where the affair happened. and one of
Ruth's acquaintances had made the charge
againt the girl. The acquaintance was a
wealthy lady who was fond Of an almost
ostentatious display of costly jewels and
trinkets. Among these articles was a
curious fan which she had purchased at an
almost fabulous price from some musty
relic depository of Europe. The mount
ings of the fan were of the richest ivory
inlaid with gold and precious ston es,
several of which were Of considefa bic
value. She had left the article for a
moment, with her book, upon garden seat;
when she returned it was gone. No one
had been near the spot but the governess
of her little ones, and some one had OBJ.
served the governess bend over the seat
for an instant and Immediately hurry away.
These details and the sight of the girl
vanishing within the black prison doors
constituted the story as it had been forced
upon Ruth's attention; of the girls name
at the time she had been ignorant.
As Ruth recognized Miss Eldridge and
recalled the affair, she felt that the duty
before her was no less painful than plain.
Miss Eldridge had produced excellent and
unquestionable recommendations; she had
but recently been in the employ of an ex-
elusive family, who esteemed her highly,
and were loath to dispense with her SER
vices
'But, of course, all these people are
ignorant of what | know; she has managed
to keep hidden the black stain upon her
honesty. 1t will be painful for me to ex-
pose her and have her sent away, but
cannot, in justice to my little nephews, do
otherwise" Ruth reasoned with a sigh.
While she sat there meditating, sheltered
in the velvet hollow of maroon and
orange Turkish chair, the group in the
front parlor disappeared. Miss Eldridge
with rosy lad clinging lovingly to either
hand, withdrew; a moment later Mr.. Oar
leigh departed, and then Ruth's brother
retired, and she was quite alone. The
lights had been extinguished; the room was
quite dark, save for the CLEAN Of a low,
white moon, which sent few narrow rays
through the thick ivy framing of window
near her.