The Monticellonian., 1898-01-28
Ruth'S L6gdCU.
sY BEEN E. REXFoRD.
aseSseeeeseeesssSesesesss
NATBEN Rodney Dare came homt

NTHEN Rodney Dare came home
 w from the war WftdoGf his ffoTss right arm Ruth Treyor's friends won dered if she would marry him.
 "Of course she will" said the friend who knew her best. Why shouldn't she? Hes the same Rodney Dare now that he was when she promised 10 mar Y him, isn't he?"
 "Yes, but there's difference" was the reply. "Then he had another arm 10 fight the battle of life with. Now well, suppose it won't make any dif- ference with Ruth. She always was pe eular."
 Thank God for such peculiarity," said her friend "She wouldn't be the woman l have always believed her 10 be if she refused to marry him because he had lost an arm. She will take its place to him. l know Ruth Trevor too well to believe that the idea has ever occurred to her that this loss need make the slightest difference in their planss
 And her friend was right. When one day Rodney Dare said to Ruth; T have come to tell you that of course to not expect to hold you to your promise to me, under existing circumstances. if you care 10 withdraw it, ," she rose up be fore him with something akin to anger in her face and looked him squarely in the eyes.
 Have ever given you any reason to think l cared 10 withdraw it2" she asked.
 No" was the reply. But when yon gave it Was a man. Now l am but part of one"
 "I'll take that part of the man that's left" she said. Its the part that the Rodney Dare I love lives in. Never speak of this to me again." she added And he never did.
 But he would not talk of marriage until he had obtained employment of some sort. and for this he began 10 fit himself It was almost like beginning life over in learning to make one arm do the work of two, but he had a brave heart and q strong will. and love stood ready to help him in the times when he felt inclined 10 become discouraged
 One day Ruth said to him:
 'I'm going away for month or tno. I've had q letter from Aunt Martha. uha lives in the prettiest little country Hl- lape you ever saw. and she wants me fo visit her. l shall enjoy q breath of pure air so much. Only wish you were go- ing with me, Rodney. l shall think of you back here in the city and feel half ashamed of myself for having such good time that you cannot share"
 "l shall share il in thinking how much good it is doing you." he said. "One does not always have to take part in the pleasures of others to be benefited by them. There's sort of reflex infu- enee. you know"
 That sounds quite metaphysical" laughed Ruth, but think I under stand what you mean. and I promise to enjoy myself to the utmost in orde1 that you may feel the reflex influence to the fullest extent"
 Before Ruth had been al Aunt Mar tha.s two days she found that she had been invited there for purpose.
 Your cousin Hugh is coming next week. said Aunt Martha. "I wanted you to meet him. l know youYl like him-a least l hope you will. and the better you like him the better suited I'll be"
 Ruth looked at her questiouingly.
 You wonder what sort of plan have in my head, suppose?" said her aunt. I'm not going 10 say anything more about | now, but Hugh knows"
 'l infer that if is d sort of matri- mouial plan2" said Ruth If il is. put il aside at once, may like my cousin very much-I hope shall-but I could not marry him."
 Why? 2" asked Aunt Martha.
 "Beeause am 10 marry Rodney Dare" answered Ruth.
 Then Ruth told her about her lover.
 @A man with one arm" cried Aunt Martha, and poor man, foo! Yon're foolish, Rutht"
 Perhaps so, said Ruth, quietly. but With brave steadfaStness in her voice. "But, foolish or not, love him. have promised 10 marry him, and shall keep ny word.
 'Nou've got the stubboruuess of the Treyors in you. I see" said Aunt Mar tha, grimly. "But this=this obstiHacy e Nours maY make great difference with your future prospects. as well os my plans. have considerable property that must go 10 the children of my two brothers. You represent one Of them. 1 Hugh the other. wanted you to mar ry each other and keep the property to- gether If you persist in your determi- nation To marry this Rodney Dare Hugh l may get il all"
 Let him have fl" said Ruth. "Alithe 1 wealth in the world wouldn't influence ne in the least in this matter"
 "lou're q Trevor all through" said | Aunt Martha, angry. yet admiring the spirit of her niece in spite of herself ! @Nel, since you've made up your mind. well let the matter drop: hu: fYoua are | not mentioned iu my will you needu't | be >arprised.
 =, haven't asked to be remembered in ! it. said Ruth. I don't want you to think for moment, Aunt Martha. that ! l care for Nour money. I assure you. I [ have never given il thought"
 Perhaps not" responded Aunt Mar | tha. but money comes handy some | times, and one wants to think twice be- fore throwing away such chance as tEiS."