Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-03-09
RUTH'S LEGACY.
BY E3Ey L. BEDFORD.

when Rodney Dare came home 1 en-
the war without his strong right arm
Ruth Ir vor's frien S wondered if she
woul marry him.
"Of cour.e she will" said TIE friend
WHO knew her best. Why shouldn't
she? He's the same Rodney Dare now
that lie vas VIII n she promised to mar
ry him, isn't he?"
eyes, but there's q difference was
the reply. Then he had another arm
to fight the battle of life with. Now
well, 1 suppose it won't make any diff
ference with Ruth. She always was
peculiar.
"Thank God for such popularity
said her fl end. "She wouldn't be the
woman 1 have always believed her to
be If she refuses to marry him because
he Las lost an arm. She will take its
place to him know Ruth Trevor. too
well to believe that the idea HIS ever
occurred TO her that this loss need
make the slightest difference in their
plans.
Aud her ftiend was right. When
one day, Rodney Dare said to Ruth 1
have come to tell you that, OF course, /
do not expect to hold you to your
promise to me, under existing circum-
stances if you care to witbd it, he
rose up before him with something
akin 10 anger in her face and looking
am squarely in the eyes.
"Have 1 ever given you any reason
to think cared to withdraw it ?" she
added.
"No," was the reply. But when you
gave it was a man Now L am but
pat of one.
"Ill take that part of the man that's
left" she said It's the pant that the
Rodney Dare 1 love lives in. Never
speak of this to me again." she added.
And he never did.
But he would not talk of mar ryng
until he had oh aimed employment Of
some sort, and for this he began to fit
himself. 1t was almost Ike beginning
life over in learning to make one arm
do the work of two, but he hal brave
heart and strong will, and love stood
ready to help him in the times when
he felt inclined TO become discoura ged
One day Ruth said to him:
"Tm going away for q mon h or two,
I've had letter from Aunt Martha,
who lives in the prettiest littly country
village you ever saw, AMI she wants me
to visit her, L shall enjoy breath Of
pure air 50 much! Only, wish you
were going with me, Rodney, I shall
think of you back here in the city and
feel half ,hamed Of myself for having
such good line that you clnnot
share"
ri shall shsre it in thinking how
much good il is doing you,' he said.
One does not always have to take part
III the pleasure OF others to be benefit
ed by them. There's sort of reflex
influence you know"
That sounds quite met aphyscal,
laughed Ruth, but 1 think 1 under
stand what you mean, and l promise
to enjoy myself to the utmost in order
that you may Seel this reflex influence
to the fullest extent"
Before Ruth had been at Aunt Mar
tha's two days she found out that she
had been invited there for purpose.
"Your cousin Hugh is coming next
week." said Aunt Martha. Il wanted
you to meet him. L know you'll like
least 1 hope you vii, and the
better you like him the better suited
I'll be,
Ruth looked at her questioningly.
You wonder what sort of o plan l
have in my head, suppose" SAID her
auut. I'm not going to say anything
more about it now, but Hugh knows
81 infer that it is a sort of mltrimo-
NAL plan" said Ruth. IF it is, put it
ASIDE at once! 1 may like my cousin
very much-I hope shall-but I could
not marry him."
"Why?" asked Aunt Martha.
because aln to marry Rodney Dare,
answered Ruth.
and who is Rodney Daye?' cried
Aunt Mat ha.
Then Ruth told her about her lover
ga nan VITA one arn!'' cried Aunt
Martha, 'and poor man, tool You're
foolish Ruth
"perhars So" sid Ruth, quietly, but
With n brave steadfastncss in her voice.
But, foolish not, | love him. l have
or, missed to mary him. AMI shall