Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-10-06

| occasions, and she feared that some
thing more than Illness had come into
Ruth'S life since they had laid aside
their books and diaries for the turmoil
OF the fashionable world,
How much her brother was disap-
pointed by Ruth's failure to come to
the Pier Lucy did not know Just then,
but she soon suspected that he must
have conceived more than passing
interest for her friend, since he hr-
came moody and irritable, and sudden
ly announced to her one day, that he
was obliged to go to Philadelphia On
pressing business.
II was one OF the hottest of the
dog days in August that he arrived in
the Quaker city. After hasty toilet,
he ordered a cab and drove out to the
fashionable boulevard, where Ruth
lived with her aunt, He found the
shutters barred, the storm doors
| closed to protect the inner entrance,
the house wearing general air OF de-
sertion, like many Of its neighbors.
A ring of the bell brought to the
door an old negro servant. She knew
the professor, and readily admitted
him to the desolate, linen swathed
parlor, with its musty air and shroud-
ed windows.
brought the information that she and
Miss Ruth had gone abroad to meet
the formers oldest nephew, who was
a student in one Of the academies OF
| Paris.
Had Miss Ruth been in?" asked
Prof. Atterbury.
Not i'll, exactly, but out Of sorts
and under the weather." responded
the servant.
When would they return?"
Probably not until after Miss
Ruth's marriage"
Ruth's marriage! The news fell
with the weight of blow on the pro
fessors ears. His face paled yisibly,
and his hands shook, as he drew the
blind the old servant had raised at
his entrance.
who is the lucky MANI" asked the
professor, with quavering lips and n
voice that shook visibly with emotion,
Mrs. Chapmans nephew, Master
Charles" said the old woman. You
know, Marse Charles Is done sQuander-
ed his fortune over in Paris, and
Missus wants Miss Ruthie to marry
him to put him on his feet agin,'
Suddenly 1t flashed across tho pro-
fessor's brain that the girl, mayhap,
was forced to this marriage through
her aunt's personality. The Chap
mans were not wealthy. Ruth had a
fortune, and to secure ii for her ia
vorltc relative was excusable in the
fashionable society woman.
] Wont you bring me a glass of wa
ter?' begged the professor, anxious
to relieve himself Of the servant S
presence, that he might recover from
the shock the unweIcome news had
gl en- him. From the first he had
made up his mind that he would
marry Ruth. He had hoped to
WIN her love during the long
days which he expected to speno
with her at Narragansett. The
present aspect OF affairs was entirely
unlocked for, and he feared that he
would lose her forever.
! The old servant was gone for some
time. She knew the professor was n
welcome guest in the house Of her
mistress, and instead of treating him
to a plain glass of water, she set to
work to make refreshing glass OF
| lemonade.
Meanwhile Prof. Atterbury stroIlcd
about the parlor. gazing earnestly at
Ruth's picture, which hung on the
wall, and picking up the books that
lay on the center table. Out OF the
last one he lifted from It's resting
place fell slip OF paper. He was
about to replace 1t when his eyes
caught his name.
Il was very much pleased to have
met John Atterbury, and ] only fear
that | shall never see him again. All
my fond hopes for the summer to be
with you and him, are shattered.
This was more than the excited
man could comprehend. lie opened
the sheet and found 1t was q letter
begun by Ruth to his sister, Lucy.
She loves me-" he cried, and |
will find her."
Before the old negro returned with
the lemonade the professor had left
the house. The first train took him
back to Narragansett, where he placed
his sister in charge OF friends, telling
her that he must at once go to Paris.
Ruth" fondly whispered Lucy, as
he babe her farewell, Il hope you will
find her.
Two weeks later Prof. Atterbury
sent his card to Mrs. Chapman and
her niece. Miss Kennerlu, at the Ho-
tel Normandie, In Paris.
The two ladies welcomed him JOY
ously. Mrs. Chapman had no suspi-
cion that her plans were about to be
frustrated, and was really glad to
meet an old acquaintance. Ruth
blushed deeply as she held out her
hand, and In her eyes John Atterbury
read his fate.