The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-24

had a shrewd suspicion Of the cause Of
the rupture. Kittie Dalton might have
thrown light on the subject but she was
down with fever, which she had caught
in the theater two or three days after
that night at the Sun.
In her sickness, poor little kittie was
not deserted by her friend. Ruth uursed
her with a mothers tenderness and care,
though the landlady was nomnally in
charge OF the invalid. as Kate could not
yet meet Frank, who was attending TO the
case. Every morning flowers decked the
sick room. and in the anxious days OF
conValescence fruit and daiuues tempted
the sufferer. They were provided by Ruth,
who, in the hours she snatched from the
theater, read, sWeetly and patiently, sto-
ries which kittie loved to hear And Kit
tie, motherless and hitherto alone, knew
that in Ruth she had found the truest
friend that woman ever had. WIN all the
fervor of thankful heart, she longed TO
show her gratitude.
The opportunity soon occurred one after
noon when Ruth was performing at mat
inee, DR. Eden dropped In to see how his
patient was progressing. somehow or
other the conversation turned On love,
ana hlttle' looking UP from ner e'sy cnal1
by the IRE, saw with concern the haBsard
expression on Frank face as he made
some light jest about woman's faithless-
mo" she said, loyal to her absent
friend ''all women are not false There Is
Ruth-she is all that is good and pure
you think so?" And then with a sudden
burst of confidence, born OF the innate
longing for human sympathy that masters,
even the sternest Frank told Kittie the
story OF his quarrel, and his separation
The girl listened to him in silence, big
tears stealing down her pale cheeks, and
falling in tiny splashes on the open pages
of her neglected book.
oh" she cried, when he stopped. how
could you be so cruel, so unjust Ruth Il
the best and truest woman that ever lived
She went to the Sun TO save meme, who
had laughed at her prudery, as / called it.
and rejected her proffered friendship as
Old-manish interference. And she did save
me, not only from that Immediate danger,
but from-from something far worse Oh,
how could YOU how could your the girl
tearfully exclaimed.
how falsely he had suspected her-she who
was purity itself for how could he doubt
this sick girl, whose soul Ruth had re-
claimed from the depths Of unwomanllness
into which IL was, for want OF loving
guidance, swiftly sinkng And, Ruth
how she must despise him for his want
give him2 He told himself, No! Yet even
with that thought Weighing down his
heart he felt a great joy, for she was still
the Ruth he had loved, spotless and pure.
"I beg your pardon, 1 did not know"
Ruth returned from the theater, had en-
tered, thinking Kittie was alone.
Don't run away, dear" kittie entreat-
ed as Frank rose from his chair, and
Ruth turned to leave; don't go away. !
have been telling DR.. Eden something
you have" said Ruth, turning white,
and then blushing wildly. "What?'
Cant you guess, Ruth?" asked Frank,
finding his Voice Let me tell you in
your own room-if Miss Dalton will ex-
cuse us?''
Eyes, yes, run along, and make it up,
like good children" cried Kltte laugn-
ing as she had not laughed for many
days.
Ten minutes later, in Ruth's little sit
ting-room, Frank was pleading for the
heart he had thrown aside. Ruth listen ?
ed tearfully, a bitter struggle going on
within her breast between wounded pride
and living love-
Cant you forgive me, dear?" Frank
asked.
And Ruth's reply was drowned in The
rapture of a kiss.
(The End)