South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-09-23
'gcoxrrsuEp IRON lsr pAey. !

Tile is doing the best he can. .
sshe always said TO herself, land
what would palace be without Ins
love? Besides, how much have
got TO be thankfnl for %
And somehow the remem brance
II their first evening IN the log ca
bin would always bring tears to her
eyes. Ii was sach real proof of
his love and thoughtfulness for her.
When the next spring heightened
into the summer, and her sweet face
beg IA to wear tired look that he
did not like to see, he came to her
one evening, saying gravely:
"Ruth, pack your trunk tonight.
Tomorrow want to take you
with me to San Diego. Important
business calls me there, and you
and Ruthie both iced a change"
''But how can you leave the
ranch ?" Ruth asked, "just now
when you are needed the most 20
cob, Reilly will take charge of
the place, and the men will work
for him as we'll as for me, dear"
Ii Ruth had noticed him just then
very carefully, she might have seen
twinkle in his eye that would have
made her suspicious as TO this "bu-
siness trip to San Diego bat like
dutiful wife she packed up and
asked no foolish questions.
When they reached San Diego,
much to her surprise her husband
did not go to hotel. He gave the
.coachman some directions, and they
drove to an elegant looking house
out in the suburbs.
"Why, / didn't know you had
friends here ]" Ruth exclaimed in
surprise.
ooh, yes," said John, "I have a
number Of them. This is the home
of the best friend l have in the
world"
"Why !"
John nearly took her breath
away. She thought of her shabby
travelling dress and Ruthless shah
bier cloak with Gismay, but she
made up her mind to mako the best
OF it for Johns sake, anyway. A
lady could always be a lady, no mat
ter how she was dressed.
A neat Chinanan opened the
door, and ushered them into a
handsome reception room. The
house was beautiful inside, and
everything WAS new and of tho la
test fashion Ruth sank into q
finely upholstered easy chair with a
feeling of momentary content. For
a moment she almost wished she
might be the possessor of such a
lovely home, and then she put aside
the envious wish.
"Make yourself at home, DEAR"
John said, "while 1 seek the mas
, ter Of the house. He is probably
in his study. / will return when l
have spoken with him privately. /
know he will be delighted to know
you are here and welcome you"
elbow strange ohr never told me
of this friend OF his" Ruth said to
herself, as she amused herself look
ing at the handsome engravings ON
tho table near her.
Presently he returned, but not
as she expected with the master of
tho house, whom she was feeling o
little in awe of.
"Where is he ?" she asked.
''Here."
Here? Why, John, have you
lost your mind ? There's is no
one with you. You and ] are quite
alone"
She began to look frightened.
What if John had really lost his
senses ! He had certainly acted
queer about this San Diego trip.
To her further amazement, he
burst into q loud laugh, and taking
stand in the middle of the floor,
said with a polite bow:
"Dear Mrs. Delano, allow me to
introduce to you the master of this
house, John Delsno, 'your humble
servant. l am monarch OF all ]
survey"
John, are you surely going mad
and i with you. For Heavens
sake" she entreated, "tell II what
you mean -
cpl tell you what mean, little
wife," he said, al mean that ]
came to San Diego last year during
the land boom, went into the real
estate business and cleared o small
fortune. This is your home, and
all that is in il belongs to Ruth and
John Delano. The ranch and the
log cabin was simply trial of your
love. ] wanted to find out what
kind Of stuff my wife was made o..
''DId you find out ~ che asked
OF him, womanhke, not knowing
whether TO laugh or cry over this
great JOY.
Indeed / did. She was weigh
cd in the balance and not found
wanting. know now that her love
was strong enough to brave all tri-
ais for me. Heucefofth she shall
be queen Of my prosperity"
1T was a pretty little drama yoH
choro 20 have me take the princi
pal part in" said she but / for
give you, and ! am satisfied II you