Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1895-03-30
ORIGINAL STORY.
A Picnic Engagement.

pany OF merry pcnickers were gather
ed at Drueys Hill. They were scatter
ed in groups of five or six, with an oc
casional 'couple' seated by themselves
behind big rock ora vine. covered
tree.
Up the shady river road came pair.
evidently so absorbed in each other a.
to be entirely oblivious to their sur
roundings. He was tall. handsom.
man. and she fair little girl-juSt on.
of those charming feminine mites it l.
ones rare good fortune to meet at
times. They rounded sharp curve il
the road and saw another couple ap
preaching them at brisk pace. Thes,
were u girl of medium height. grac,
fnl carriage. face of striking intel
ligence, and about her fascinating
air that went well with her broad
white forehead and beautiful viole,
eyes, and well-proporti ned man
with marked, regular features, and i,
whose face one could discern powe,
full mental organism
Fay began Ruth. AS they n'arcr
the tiny girl and her tall escort "u-'r,
getting up some games and Mrs
White sent me for You and other d.
serters."
"Thank you, Ruth, but can't ""
excuse US? W. don't ear, to play"
No" said he, well have +" he ex
cn>ed.'
20, exp, c,cd as ,unch Y"u AT,
absorbed H. each n'll.r I" the tXrlnS e.
of AL l. s>er obj cts Engaged poop,
always a,e."
And she turned with "good-hye
Fay" and went with her friend up the
cool. shady way.
Suddenly Ruth looked up: she feel
that his brown eyes were bent "n
her.
Il wish We were engaged people,"
he said earnestly.
A look of surprise fitted into her
blue eyeS-those true. tender eyes tha,
he had always admired.
just then stout middle aged lady
advanced upon them with an lrate air
Ruth, Pm surprised at you," she
began; ''you know perfectly well l
cannot manage those games without
you Whatever possessed you t"
come down here?" And Mrs. White.
the wra'hy chaperone, paused for breath
OF course the Intruder could no,
know what she had done in interrupt
Ing them. or how fervently Alfred was
wishing her-where she would BE-
more al preciated. Ruth answered
gently
II just went down after Fay and
Clarence"
"Well, where are they ?" demanded
Mrs. White, sharply.
"They preferred not to play" an
swered Alfred, anxious to be rid of
her.
"Fiddle-sticks! They must there
are not near enough without them
they must come. I'll go after them"
"lndeed. Mrs. White, you need not,
for | am sure they won't come, and
you will be so tired if you take such
long walk" interposed Ruth, to save
her friend.
'Tm going. Do You go back noe,
Ruth, and manage until come"
And off she marched.
"Ruth," he whispered when Mrs
White had gone and Ruth obedirntly
hurried to the Hill; ''dear Ruth. I've
wanted to tell you how l loved you
ever since | met yon. For with me it
was the old story of love at first
sight I've loved you ever since, aud
lay my heart and fortune at your
feet. Ruth, sweet one, do try to love
me-"
Here was Mrs White again, with
Redeemed face. but triumphant.
Ruth. I've got '-m," and there was
10y P'"ti"S o'u OldiouCt NtAeu
"What on earth made you Two walk so
slow ?" she continued; Il thought you'd
be- at The Hill. Come along"
Ruth fell me-kly behind she always
obey+d Mrs. White. and Alfred, rather
angry, continued
"Now, dearest, we're rid of that
old--ahem-lady, for awhile, and
want TO tell you darling"
He continued his ardent tale of love,
telling the fair, sweet girl all his
affection.
Ruth listened with Il beating heart.
Did she love himP She had not allow
ed herself to think too much of this
fascinating stranger whom she had
met three months before. But now,
walking by his side with his pleasant
voice in her ear-she looked up with a
sweet smile on her face and strange,
beautiful light in her eyes.
He knew that his prayer-his hearts
dearest prayer. had been granted.
1t was almost time to set out for
home, when Ruth and Alfred rejoined
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