The National tribune., 1892-01-07


A few blocks distant lived Mrs Eliot relict
of Ralph Eliot who for many years bad satis-
factoHy performed the important duties Of
Company in the great firm OF Nubbins g. Co.,
and then had rested from the labor Of quarterly
collecting an opulent dividend on his invest
ment With that confidence IN bis partner
which had been the characteristic Of his COM
mercal career, DE bad appointed Mr.. &ubbins
executor of bis viii aud guardian OF bis only
child, Ruth.
Very comfortably had the widow aud her
daughter passed the years that had led the lat
Ter into charming maideuh0od, and Mr.. Nub.
bins had discovered increasing delights in the
Gssillous performance OF his duties. Sundry
Fossips bad predicted from time 10 time that
the widow and the wdower thus forced by
CIRCUMSTANCES into intimacy, would conclude
o. minple their mutual tears aud assuage their
mutual gricfs by renewing the old partnership
for liie Perhaps, though the surmise Is un-
gallant, the possibility Of SO desirable an ar
rangemUnt again aud anon tempered the wind
Of bereavement for the shorn eve lamb. Ger
tain it D. that whenever Mr. Auhbinss step
was heard the widows heart nuttered tuge
OF glr.Ish color into her pale checks, aud when
ever Mr. Aubbius approached lis step was
surely heard.
but no such suspicion had ever shocked Mr.
huhbIns's mind. The widow seemed so very
mature 10 him that he was far more apt 10 seek
her blessing than her hand. lie quite looked
up q her with reverence, assuming In her
presence delereutial air which would prop.
erly become young lawyer IN addressing a
wealthy and aged client
The parlOH Oi the Eliot mansion spoke in.
willingly on this particular New Years even
ing. ID was not alone the dark. rich hues Of
Tie I0W studded walls aud ceiling, the c0zincss
Of the antique furniture the green and Grim
EOm Of the myrtle aud holly, or the cracking
az q H4... 4 It 4 f... II. a. 4 {
bincd into AN assurance Of Welcome! BE at
home! 10 the guest.
The rooms did not stretch la unbrolen eE-
pause from 'front.' 10 rear as III the arch iteet had
favored bis Incidence. They were broken bv
hooks aud corners, and their normal length
WIS cuftailud by The curtains that separated
tire library from them. Ii was IN this rear.
room, sitting as closely together as the old set.
Gle By is ImensiOns suggested, that Ruth II lot
aud Tom, the only son and heir Of the juvenile
Dit. AubDlu6J were absorbed ia earnest c0nYor.
6ati0n.
Like Miltons nymph, Ruth Eliot was at
tended by
Quips. and craulZf and wantou wlles
Node. and becks, and wrcnthcd snlilesn
She had been born IN the Spring, and had ab.
borOcd thc essence Of innocent gayety from her
foster mother.
Tom's nature was negative pole to hers. It
shown by bis frm, straight gaze. and by the
tense lines Of his lips which indicated a deter
miuatlOn closely allied 10 obstiuacy He was a
great manly fellow In the sight OF everybody
except hs father, who insisted unon regard ing
bis broad shoulders and mighty chest through
reversed lenses. Possibly this air Of sternness
arose from this poryersity, for in the evanesceut
little wrinkles that diyergod from the corners
Of his eyes and the deep dimplo that contra.
uleled hls chin, one might read a gwcetuesg ~
disposition almost feminine.
Certainly Ruth showed no fear although he
was speaking as one with authority. Thegaucy
curs nestled just az tightly about hor brow. tie
hazel eyes danced just as miscAicv0usIv Pos
tAH she realized that the real scoBter was
within her grasp. An. white, plump little
band One touch, and Drawn aud muscle
trembic and grow chill. IT was from the foam
OF the sea that Aphr0dite spraup omuipoteut
y shau't stand IL any longer" Tom was say.
Ing. " am no child, aud will not be treated
Ike ono. There is NO rhyme or reason in such
concealmeut. Come, let Us coHfde In your
molhef aud then ! will 90 aud tackle father.
AZ worst am able 10 support us both"
hhy, nc was great big, strong man: YES
nc was " cried Ruth, opening wide her ewes In
mock admiration.
Don't Ruthl You must be as serious as !
am. Mhyao you Insist on keeping our engage
mcnt secTetf Surely you are not ashamed II
u. lE ID because my father makes mo 40 ridic.
ulouEf lie would not dare TO offer his absurd
Ideas about my youth In actual opposition
people would deem him crazy. Why, am 20 .
"MytH
Ruth you cannot love as do and be Sc
frivolous so taunting. My heart Is filled with
trouble over our unsettled future and you com.
fort me with Ribe Why arc you 90 sure that
my iather wall forbid our unionf"