The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-09-28
WHOLE NO. 246i.


on light wings for Ruth. She made the
best of all her trials, and she was as
sweet and contented rs if she had been
in the fair home they had owned and
lost. Though often her head was
weary with the weight Of work which
fell 10 her share, she never complained.
Not once did she grow fretful or re-
proach her husband for taking her so
far from all that she loved.
''He is doing the best that he can,D
she always said to herself, "and what
would q palace be without his love?
Besides, how much have to be CRATE
ful for F' And somehow the remem-
branee Of their first evening in the log
cabin would always bring tears to her
eyes. IL was such real proof Of his
love and thOughtfulness for her.
When the next spring heightened in
to summer, and her sweet face began
to wear n tired look that he did not
like 10 see, he came to her one evening,
saying grayely:
''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 a change"
"But how can you leave the ranch, A."
Ruth asked, lust now, when you are
most needed"
cob, Redly will take charge Of tine
place, and the men will work for him
as well as for me-"
''If Ruth had noticed him just then
very carefully, she might have seen a
twinkle in his eye that would have
made her suspicious as to this 'busi-
ness trip to San Diego, but like a duti-
full wife she packed up and asked no
foolish questions.
When they reached San Diego, much
to her surprise, her husband did not 90
to hotel He gave the coaehman
some directions, and they were driven
to an elegant looking house in the
suburts.
why, / didn't know you had friends
here ~ exclaimed Ruth in surprise.
''Oh, yes" said John. AZ have a
number Of them. This is the home Of
the best friend / have in the world
"Why ~ John nearly took her breath
away. She thought Of her shabby
travelling dress and Ruthie'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 lady, no matter how she
was dressed.
A neat servant opened the door and
ushered them into a handsome reeep-
ton room. The house was beautiful
inside, and everything was new aud of
the latest fashion. Ruth sank into
daely upholstered essy chair with
feeling of momentary content. For
moment she almost wished she might
be the Possessor Of such hOmA, and
then she put aside the enviOus wish.
"SIake yourself at home, dear" John
said, "while l see the master Of the
house. lie is probably in his study /
will return when have spoken to him
privately. l know be will be delighted |
to know you are here and will welcome |
you"
Chow strange John never told me of |
this friend of his" Ruth said to her
self, looking at the handsome engrav-
in0s on the table near her.
Presently he returned, but not, as she
expected, with the master of the house
whom she was feeling little in awe
Of.
"Where is he?" she asked.
"Here.
"Here? Why, John, have you lost
your mind? There is no one with you.
You and 1 are alone.u She began to
look frightened. What if John had
really lost his senses? He had certainly |
acted queer about this san Diego trip. |
To her further amazemant he burst |
into loud laugh, and taking stand |
in the middle Of the room said, with
polite bow:
'Dear Mrs. DelanO, allow me to in
troduce to you the master of this house,
John Delano, Esq f., your humble ser
want. / am monarch Of all survey"
'John, you are surely going mad,
and l with you. For heavens sake,D
she entreated, 'tell me what you
mean ~
"I'll tell you what mean, little
wife" be said. ~ mean that came
to San Diego last year during the land
boom, went into real estate business
and cleared a small fortune. This is
your home, and all that is in it belongs
to Ruth and John Delano. The ranch
and the log cabin were simply trial
of your love. / wanted to find out
what kind of stuff my wife was made
Of"
"And did you find out ?'' she asked
Of him. womanlike, not knowing
whether to laugh or cry over this great
I joy.
"Indeed did. She was weighed in
the balance and found not wanting. l
know that her love for me was strong
enough to brave all trials for me.
Henceforth she shah be queen Of my
prosperity"
at was very pretty drama you
chose 20 make me take the principal
part in, J" she said, "but / forgive you,
and am satisfied if you are"
''Completely," he answered, with
lovers kiss.
ado you know, dear John, she whis-
pered that night as she held Ruthie up
for her papa's goodnight kiss, ''that
doubt if can ever be as happy any
where as I was in that little log cabin
of ours, in spite Of all the hard work
did? Love never seemed before such
a sweet compensation for all Of life's
trials"
"Well, il that isn't just like wo-
man." laughed her husband. Like
Lots wife, forever looking back. Give
her heaven, and two TO one she'll be
sorry she ever left earth.
Ruth only smiled and held per peace.
She knew that ne would ever hold their
log cabin days in sweet and sacred re-