New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1892-01-13

breath. How could she ever be home
sick AGAIN."
And that night. instead ofcrying her
self to sleep, as she had thought that
afternoon to do, she lay awake from
very Joy, thinking OF the pretty things
she could buy and make for the cab
in, and imagining how picturesque it
would look covered with Lady Banks
roses, and how sweet the violet beds
would be in the spring time
And SO the very next day she set
the hired man to work laying off a
garden, and all that week and the
next she spent her spare time in dig
ging and hoeing and spading. The
following week John took her to the
nearest town, and she selected the
various articles she desired for the
house. She managed to furnish it
quite comfortably, and under her
deft fingers all things began to bear a
homelike look. The place lost it's bar
rem and shlftless look, and even the
dog Harold seemed to feel the change.
he no longer wandered aimlessly
about as though seeking a comfort
able spot, but went to sleep a picture
OF contentment on one of the soft rugs
in the sitting room, keeping one zeal
Gus eye always half open upon his
playmate, Ruthie.
The months sped by in spite Of all
the harhships she had to endure for
life is hard for a woman in a new
country-on light wings for Ruth.
She made the best of all her trials,
and was as sweet and contented as if
she had been in the fair home they
had owned and lost. Though often
her limbs ached and her head was
weary with the weight of work which
fell to her share, she never complain
ed. Not once did she grow fretful or
reproach her husband for taking her
SO far from all that she loved
"He is doing the best he cam" she
always said to herself, sand what
would a palace be without his love?
Besides, how much | have to be CRATE
full for" And somehow the remem-
brance of their first evening in the log
cabin would always bring tears to her
eyes. 1t was such a real proof Of his
love and thoughtfulness for her.
When the next spring heightened
into the summer, and her sweet face
began to wear tired look that he
did not like to see, he came to her
one evening, saying gravely:
"Ruth pack your trunk tonight; to-
morrow want to take you with me
to San Diego. Important business
calls me there, and you and Ruthie
both need a change"
"But how can youleave the ranch?"
Ruth asked, Gust now when you are
most needed"
ooh, Redly will take charge of the
place, and the men will work for him
as we'll as for me-
If Ruth had noticed him just then
very carefully she might have seen a.
twinkle in his eye that would have
made her suspicious as to this ''business
trip" to San Diego; but like a dutiful
wife she packed up and asked no fool
ish questions.
When they reached San Diego, much
to her surprise herhusband did not go
to a hotel. He gave the coachman
some directions, and they were driven
to all elegant looking house in the
suburbs.
"Why, I didn't know you had
friends here!' exclaimed Ruth, in sur
prise.
ooh, yes,' said John, ri have
number Of them. This is the home of
the best friend have in the world"
"Whyp' John nealy took her
breath away. She thought OF her
shabby travelling dress and Ruthie's
shabbier cloak with dismay, but she
made up her mind to make the best
Of it for Johns sake, anyway. A lady
could always be a lady, no matter
how she was dressed.
A neat servant opened the door
and ushered them into a handsome
reception-room. The house was beau
tiful inside, and everything was new
and OF the latest fashion. Ruth sank
into a finely upholstered easy chair
with a feeling OF momentary content.
For a moment she almost wished she
might be the possessor of such
home, and then she put aside the en-
vious wish
"Make yourself at home, DEAR
John said, "while see the master of
the house, He is probably in his
study. l will return when / have
spoken to him privately I know he
will be delighted to know you are here
and will welcome you"
GLOW strange John never told me OF
this friend OF his" Ruth said to her
self, looking at the handsome ingrav-
ings on the table near her.
Presently he returned, but not, as
she expected with the master OF the
house, whom she was feeling little in
awe OF.
"Where is he?'' she asked.
"Here.'
Here? Why John, have you lost
your mind? There is no one with you.
You and are alone" She began to
look frightened. What if John had
really lost his senses? He had Ger
tainly acted queer about this San
Diego trip.
To her further amazement he burst
into q loud laugh, and taking a stand
in the middle OF the room, said with
polite bow:
Dear Mrs. 5Delano, allow me to in
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