The Yale expositor., 1895-01-04

:
the whole country" Ruth said, nj
most laughing and crying in the same
breath. How could she ever be home
sick again."
And that night. instead ofcrying her
self to sleep, as she had thought that
afternoon to do, she lay awake from
very Joy, thinking OF the pretty things
she could buy and make Tor the cab
in, and imagining how picturesque it
would look covered with Lady Banks
roses, and how sweet the violet beds
would be in the spring time.
And so the very next day she set
the hired man to work laying off a
garden, and all that week and the
next she spent her spare time in dig
ging and hoeing and spading. The
following week John took her to the
nearest town, and she selected the
various articles she desired for the
house. She managed to furnish it
quite comfortably, and under her
deft fingers all things began to bear II
homelike look. The place lost it's bar
rem and shlttless look, and even the
dog Harold seemed to feel the change.
He no longer wandered aimlessly
about as though seeking n comfort
able spot, but went to sleep picture
OF contentment on one of the soft rugs
in the sitting room, keeping one zeal
Gus eye always half open upon his
playmate, Ruthie.
Tia months sped by'in spite OF al
the harhships she had to endure-for
liz, is hard for woman IN new
cCuntry-on light wings for Ruth.
she made The best of all her trials,
and was as 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 complain
ed. Not once did she grow fretlul or
reproach her husband for taking her
so far from all that she loved.
"He is doing the best he can" she
always said to herself, "and what
would palace be without his love?
Besides, how much have to be CRATE
ful for" And somehow the remem-
brance OF their first evening in the log
cabin would always bring tears to her
eyes. 1t was such a real proof OF his
love and thoughtiulness for her.
When the next spring heightened
INTO tho summer, and her sweet face
began 10 wear a tired look that he
did pot like TO see, he came 10 her
ono evening, saying 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 n change"
But how can you leave the rancho"
Ruth asked, lust now when you are
most needed?"
"Oh, Redly will take charge of the
place, and the men will work for HIM
as well rs for me-,
Ii Ruth had noticed him just then
very carefully she might have seen Il
twinkle in his eye that would have
made her suspicious a. to thi,"business
trip" to San Diego; but like dutilul
wife she packed up and asked no fool
ish questions.
When they reached San Diego, much
to her surprise her husband did not 90
to hotel. lie gave the coachman
some directions, and they were driven
to an elegant looking house in the
suburbs.
"Why, I didn't know you had
friends here" exclaimed Ruth, in sur
prise.
"Oh, yes" said John, 81 have n
number OF them. Tins is the home OF
the best friend have in the world"
"Whyw John nearly took her
breath away. She thought OF her
shabby travelling dress and Ruthe's
shabbier cloak with dismay, but she
made up her mind to make the best
Of it for Johns sake, anyway. A lady
could always be n lady, no matter
how she was dressed.
A neat servant opened the door
and ushered them into n handsome
reception-room. The house was beau
tiiul 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 a
home, and then she pat aside the en-
| vious wish.
"Make yourself at home, dear"
John said, "while / see the master of
the house. He is probably in his
study. / will return when ] have
spoken to him privately. | know he
will be delighted to know you are here
and will welcome you"
How strange John never told me OF
this friend OF his" Ruth said to her
self, looking at the handsome ingrav-
ings on the table near her.
Presently he returned, but not, rs
che expected with the master OF the
house. whom she was feeling little in
awe of.
where is he?" she asked.
"Here."
"Here2 Why John, have you lost
your mind? There is no one with you.
You and are alone" She began to
look frightened What if John had
really lost his senses? He had c-r-
tainly acted queer about this San
Diego trip.
To her further amazement he burst
into a loud laugh, and taking a stand
in the middle OF the room, said with u
polite bow:
"Dear Mrs Delano, allow me to IN
| troduce to you the master of this
house, John Delano. Esq, your hum
bic servant. l am monarch OF all |
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