The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-02-17
though seeking q comfortable spot. but

tentment on one of tho soft rugs in the
sitting room, keeping one Jealous eye
always half-open upon his playmate,
Ruthie.
The months sped by in spite of all
the hardships she had to endure-for
life is hard for woman in new coun.
try--on light wings for Ruth. She
made the best Of all her trials, and was
ms sweet and contented as il 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 complained Not once did
she grow fretful or reproach her hus-
band for taking her so far from all that
she loved.
He is doing the best that he can"
she always said to herself, land what
would a palace be without his love?
Besides how much / have to be grato.
full for" Aud somehow the remem.
brance Of their first evening in the log
cabin would always bring tears to her
eyes. 1t was such real proof of bis
love and thoughtfulness for her.
When the next Spring heightened
into Summer, and her sweet face began
TO wear tired look that he did not like
to see, he came to her one evening, say
ing 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
. change"
But how can you leave the rancho"
Ruth asked, lust now when you are
most needed?'
"Oh, Redly will take charge Of tho
place, and the men will work for him
rs well as for me.
II Ruth had noticed him just then
very carefully she might have seen 0
twinkle in his eyes that would have
made her suspicious as to this "busi-
ness trip" to San Diego. but like .
dutiful wife she packed up and asked
no foolish questions. When they
reached San Diego. much TO her sur.
prise her husband did not go to hotel.
He gave the coachman some directions,
and they were driven to an elegant
looking house in the suburbs.
why, 1 didn't know you had friends
here r. exclaimed Ruth. in surprise.
"Oh, yea." said John. II have Q
number of them This 10 the home Of
the best friend I have in the world"
"Whyr John nearly took her breath
away. She thought of her shabby
travelling dress and Ruthie's shabbier
cloak with dismay, but she made up
her mind 10 make the best of 1t 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 hand.
somer reception room. The house was
beautiful inside, and everything was
new and of the latest fashion. Ruth
sank into finely upholstered easy chair
with feeling of momentary content.
For moment she almost wished she
might be the possessor of such homo,
and then she put aside the envious
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. L know he will be delighted
to know you are here, aud will welcome
you."
How strange John never told me
of this friend of his, Ruth said to her.
self, looking at the handsome engrav-
ings on the table near her. Presently
he returned, but not as she expect ed,
with the master of the house, whom
she was feeling little in awe of.
Where is he ?" she asked. --.1
Here"
Here ? Why, John, have you lost
your mind :? There is no one with
you. You and l are alone" She be-
gan 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 loud laugh, and, taking a stan d
in the middle Of the room, said, with q
polite bow:
Dear Mrs. Delano, allow me to in.
troduce to you the master OF this house,
John Delano, esq, your humble ser.
want. am monarch Of all survey"
John, you are surely going mad.
and I with you. For heavens sake, Z"
she entreated, tell me what you
mean T.
Ill tell you what I mean, little
wife, he said. Il mean that came to
San Diego last year during the land
boom, went into real estate business
and cleared small fortune. This i,
your home, and all that is in it belong.
to Ruth and John Delano. The ranci
and the log cabin were simply tria
of your love. wanted to find ou
what kind of stuff my wife was made of.
"And did you find out?" she asked o.
him, woman like, not knowing whethe
to laugh or cry over this great Joy.
Indeed did. She was weighed il
the balance and not found wanting.
I 4l..A L