The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-22
A NOTE OF WARNING

least tntt we could remember. Since we had
known ourselves Ruth and had known and
loved each other. Together we had played
on the sands when we were so little that
each one was a care TO the other Together
we had toddled. hand in hand. to the pri-
mary school. and sauntered arm in arm 20
the Foundation. Together we had sailed
within the retreat OF the harbor and then
over the rolling bar into the rock-bound bay.
until we dared venture on the, mighty
surges Of the Atlantic. and had tested and
proved our blood by circumnavigating the
island.
And when left for the university there
had been no coquetry, no doubt. God
bring you back 10 me. Ralph" said Ruth
as she stood within arms reach OF me on
the point of the pier. I'm not leaving you,
dear; L m simply preparing our home" said
J. as leaned over the rail from the deck.
Each day Of the four years, varying as It
did in storm, sunshine, heat and cold, was
constant in this single joy-a letter from
Ruth to me and a letter from me to Ruth.
And when 1 returned with my degree, and
we sailed again over the rolling bar. beyond
the dark shadowy waters of the bay, and
out on the broad ocean until our island home
was but a smudge like a sea scud on the
horizon. every wave which embraced us
and lifted US up seemed to say: 'It was
yesterday that we greeted you, and to-mor-
row We shall greet you again"
All through that summer we sailed over
the trackless waters whose paths were we'll
defined to us. We We're both expert, but
Ruth was the better sailor, as she was
my superior in all respects. 1 was apt
with dreams, but there was an instinct
or Ruths whose every impulse was Timely
and complete. Often when / was far away
within the Temple of Fame, at work at
that niche which was surely 10 be mine
her quick hand on the sheet had saved us
from capsiztng. Perhaps / was the more
careless since 1 felt that wherever Ruth
was there also were peace and security.
How we talked over the future, for there
never had been a time when that future
hadn't been ours. l was to go to- the city
f. the autumn and enter the law school
How faithfully / would work and how
learned l would become: And then. when
] had ESTABLISHED myself in my profession,
we were 10 be married and buy cottage
with surrounding grounds, in the suburb
an university town whose shades l loved
50 we'll. and Ruth did. too, because did,
and ever after were to be happy, as we
ever had been-together
We each had a little money, small
enough in the aggregate yet We believed
that it would keep US until my success
came. My success! What brilliant-hued
great advocate of course. dread to all
designing men, but a tower of strength
especially to the weak and unfortunate.
Resides-though this besides was gener-
ally my own-there was my divine gift. my
poesy. What golden showers might 1T
not conjure for U.S. L had indeed Won
quite a apame for occasional verse, for
which 1 had faculty. but this was nothing
10 what ths Utopian "some day should
bring when The great poem Of which was
always dreaming published and the
bay leaves were bound about my browS by
ldmiring throngs.
But never neglect the real for the IDEAL"
Ruth would say gravely. I'VE can get
along without the pinnacle, but not with
put the foundation. Future fancy is pleas
Rnter than present duty; but prefer our
cottage to your temple with its niche, don't
Sweet little Ruth, so prudent, so wise,
She should have her cottage surely, 1
eventide we would see the sunlight gliding
the minarets of that temple, also.
The autumn came and brought the day
Of my departure. Again Ruth stood on
the point of the pier: again ! leaned over
the rail; again we talked as If never before
we had talked. until the captain shouted.
lOOsed Then, as the paddles churned,
Ruth stretched on tip of toe. Here,
Ralph. DEAR" she cried, and she reached
Rather puzzled-for this was not like
Ruth went into the cabin and read it
1t was but a line:
'Ralph-I ask you to be suspicious Of
Frank Dunbar RUTH"
How surprising. how incomprehensible!
Ruth Yet that almost was long word,
believe me. But Frank Dunbar, my friend!
My roommate at the university, and now
again to be at the law school! How could
/ be suspicious of one who was constant
In kindness TO me, whom l respected for
his character and honored for his ability?
Surely, something / had said in my blum
dering way must have misled Ruth; yet,
what had said. except praiseworthy
things? For the first time 1 almost doubted
Ruth's judgment. But, again, that al
most was long word. believe me.
Frank Dunbar! how spotless, how noble
he appeared. as / considered him. His
nickname revealed his character, as nick.
names always do. Perfection Dunbar!
Never had he varied a hairbreadth from
the line of duty Never had he taken part
IN frolics-rarely in pleasures Work was
his preference--work that told. He had led
his class, but this had not sufficed. His
exuberant energy had mastered the mod
ern languages and the theory of music.
Yet he was never prig- He sympathlzsd
with the weaknesses of others, though he
had none himself No one could laugh
more heartily over ScrapeS, nor picture
revelry more enticingly. But when others,
long ard needless into trouble. Frank re-
turned TRANQUILITY TO his books. He never
preached, never sought to inculcate his
principles That is what we all liked in
him. often he would say to me: Go ahead,
ola boy. What's the difference? Enjoy
your YOUTH Yet he was year younger
He was such a prudent fellow. too. was
Frank. He lived like the rest of u.s. but ne
S-iN
agance. So. while we were generally in
debt. and sometimes in distress, he always
had plenty of money. / used to be so sorry
for him. RE couldn't lend. for he had
promised his father, and he would grievc
lest his inability should be misconstrued-
Frank was ambitious, truly. No young
squire, emulous OF his spurs, could have
been more SO. Yet he was distrustfu! or his
powers. Il can't do what you fellows do,
he woCl3 say, humbly. II must stick to my
trcadmili." And, while we all realized his
mental aS well moral superiority, we
liked him the be.ler for yelling IL. We re-
spected his honest scrCples, and never
sought "a tempt him from his course.
How heart-single. too, was Frank. Though
not handsome mar. for ne had small eyes,
rcd hair and a short, squat ngure. he was
fascinating IL manner and speech. He at
tracted and retained interest. There were
many sides to his nature, and that side
which would be most consonant and agree
able to 4 companion he iltuitlvely revealed
We all cOnCuTTed in the opinion that he
would prove irresistible to any woman tx he
should ever care TO exert himself. But he
had 10 time for romance, so he said. And
Yet what a COMPLIANT he was: never prying.
never curious: but learning ones secret
thoughts as il IN spite of himself. Why, he
knew all about Ruth. i had talked of her
for hours at time, and he had been just
as interested. Just as helpful. when / fin
ished as when l began. L had read her let
ters 20 him, and he would say: Good
hight Ruth Good morning, Ruth, TO her
little picture which was enshrined in a
blue cabinet the mantel OF our study,
just as / did.