The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-02-03
AUNT MARTHA's WILL.

HONt MAN ia = WILL
When Rodney Craig came home from
the army with an honorable record and
an empty sleeve, people wondered if Ruth
Gerrish would marry him.
A nan with one arm gone, and that
his right one, was only part of a man they
argued, and Ruth was a girl who could
have her choice among the most eligible
young men Of the town. She had had
offers enough to make her the envy OF
less fortunate girls. or, al least, girls who
considered it good fortune to have offers
Of marriage, and she had refused them
all till Rodney Craig came
She accepted the proposal be made,
because she loved him. But when he
bad asked her in marriage be had been
man with two strong arms. Now he
had come home with but one, and this
set some persons to wondering what she
would do. These persons were those who
did not know Ruth very well. Those who
knew her best never had any doubt as to
the course she would pursue.
One day, shortly after his return, Rod
ney Craig came to her, and as he stood
before her with his empty sleeve folded
across his breast, he said
When 1 won your promise to be nv
wife, I was q strong, two armed man
felt equal TO any task in life, for your
sake, and because of my love. Nov
everything is changed am what men
call wreck, for the good right arm de-
pended on is gone | have no right, un-
der the circumstances, to hold you to the
promise you gave me then. l give you
back that promise, Ruth, dear, ifyou viii
take It"
She came and stood by his side, and
looked up gravely into his face.
Yen loved me. Rodney, when you
asked me to be your wife -
God knows did :" he answered.
And you love me now?'
He did not answer this question in
words. The look in his eyes was too elo-
quent 10 make speech necessary.
Then why should / take back my
promise ?" she asked.
Her face was as eloquent. now, as his
had been a moment ago. His hand was
on the table at her side. She put her
hand in it in a way that said many things
while her eyes were bright with a stead
fast love and trust, whose expression
made her face so fair that Rodney was
reminoed Of some Of Rzphael's Madon-
mas, as she looked up at him.
But have you thought of the change %
he asked. This question is one that
must be well thought over, Ruth. With
my two arms l could have made your life
one above ali want, even one Of luxury,
perhaps, after awhile. But with the arm
l depended on most, gone, why, you can
readily see how very different matters are,
Ruth"
have thought of il all, Rodney she
answered, softly. 4 have thought how
much / might felp you with my two will
ng hands when gave my promise, II
was for all time, happen what might, and
shall keep il, unless, with smile dim
ping the face that had never seemed so
fair to Rodney as at that moment un-
less you have sone better argument 10
offer
You know why I have said what |
have" be answered want you because
1 love you, and without you l shall be
lonely. sorrowful man ali the days Of my
life. But felt that had no rigt to ask
you to make such asacrifee for me"
make no sacrifice, she said, simply,
because-I love you" Was ever a bet
terror more logical argument pCt in fewer
words p I'VE need not mention this
matter again; l told you would be your
wife, God willing, and see no reason
Why should not be, if you want me. l
would marry you ifthere was but enough
left Of you to hold your heart
After that there Was no more said about
breaking the engagement. But be would
not consent 70 marriage until he had Sc
cured some employment
He had applied for government clerk
ship, but it began to seem a. if it might
be modern case of Jarndyce VS.. Jarn-
dyee. Once in awhile he got letter from
Washington, saying that ii was quite
probable he might secure the position as
soon as the proper action could be taken
The matter bad been referred to this or
that bureau, and would be reported On
as soon as possible, or it had been turned
over to this or that official, who would
give it prompt attention, etc.
So the weeks heightened into months
and he waited and hoped, and heard
nothing definite, and the time when he
would be in a position to warrant him in
marrying Ruth seemed as far of to him
as ever
She waited because he wanted to, but
would have married bin any day, if he
had been willing. Work for those We
love is alEas pleasant. and she would
have been glad to prove to him how
much she could do with love as an ineen-
tive to action
One day letter came to Ruth from
Der Aunt Martha
Miss Fielding lived in little village
mp among the Berkshire hills All that
Ruth could remember about her was