The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1897-10-06

I'd his lips. But then she knew
that Lucy would be quite alone
for she had no relations but hel
father, and he was the squire's
steward, and would be obliged t.
go to Sutton; and she knew how
sad it would be for Lucy, contrast
ing her fate today with the tri-
umphs of u year ago. And her
true heart had won the victory,
though not without a struggle and
bitter tears. She would not go to
Sutton; she would go and sit with
Lucy and try to make the time
pass less heavily for her. One
difficulty remained: she did not
want to spoil Ruth's pleasure too.
Punctually at half-past twelve
Walter Daman came through the
gate into the courtyard, and, as
was his custom before dinner,
washed his hands at the pictur-
esque old pump that from time
immemorial had stood at the
northern end; then he felt two OF
three of the apricots that clustered
i'll profusion round the upper win
dows of the house, and of which
few were within reach; he called
Ruth to see how well they were
growing, and to tell her how soon
he thought they would be ri pc
then he gave instructions to his
man, who was busy in the adjoin-
ing yard, to have the gig ready at
two clock and finally he scraped
his heavy iron-tipped boots upon
the scraper and went indoors.
Ruth, however, did not follow
at once; she was locking up The
path again, her eyes bright ans
her face beaming with delightful
expectation.
Its all right, Jessie; she'
coming"
''Is she, Ruth? l am so glad
~ Are you ready for dinner
father?"
Eyes; t is time, isn't it?"
"I'll come in Il ninute," sal,
Ruth; and she ran down the cour
to open the gate.
"Whatever makes you so late?'
she asked, as she took the larg
parcel in her hand.
Every sorry, miss; it's the bes
we could do. There's a note in
side"
The woman started back up tn
path rather hurriedly, and Rut
ran in to dinner. She was long
ing to open 1t and examine tn
contents; but she knew Mr.. Da
man was not too fond of havin
his dinner interrupted, so she pu
it reluctantly on the spotles
white dresser in the front kitcher
where they always had the:
meals, and sat down to the table
"What's that?" asked Mr.. d.
2 man.
"Our dresses, father, that "
are going to wear today. Mi
Bates promised them yesterda.
u and they never came"
T 'U.mph.! What do you p7
I things off SO for?"
Ruth and Jessie exchange
g glances, but they did not answe
> they knew their father too We
u He was a genial, good-temper
soul, was Walter; but he was fol
of inveighing against the wea
IL nesses of women, whom he p1
fessed, without much sincerity,
- think very helpless set of peop
le and a reply of justification woul
as his daughters knew, have be
e, his opportunity. So they wise
to held their tongues; and Walt
a meeting with no opposite
RS changed the subject.
ne " IT is to be great doings
Sutton today"
at "Is there, father?''
6. $50 | hear 'em say. 7
a squire g had flags put up i'll
OF barn, and they tell me It is
IT. best show O. vegetables, and
,et like, they We had there for year
ad Il hope we shall get prize
as potatoes" said Jessie.
"They re wonderful fine, ;
u.s. got in just right; but Reu
en Cave says he thinks he can ]!
on 'en."
zen "Does he?"
ii; " Seems he's bin over
red morning. l see him ride he
nd over 'Three-tree Top -
eks "Has he been to Sutton
ith morning?"
as, eyes. That puts mo in mi
ast / see Master Deane this morn
es- He'd been to Sutton as W
cen brought q message from
1ad squire"
nrv es\Vbo f,rSD oclynI Rutb