The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-12-20
HE PROVED WORTHY.
STORY OF A STRONG WILL.

1t was night and they had reached
went along the river bank. AS they
stood there the bright moonlight
shone full on their faces, different In
every respect save that the intensity
of love was depicted on them. On the
mans face was deep disappointment
but not despair. On the other hand,
the woman appeared sad and absolute
ly without hope.
John Harding had just proposed to
Ruth Fletcher and had been fatty re.
fused. She was saying sadly: You
know that l am an unbelever and
/ fear a hopeless pessimist. Life seems
so empty and useless, and do get so
weary of people and Of their petty
ambitions.
Excuse me, Jack, if hurt you, but
IL should marry you should proba-
bly, weary of you too. You resemble
the majority of the people of the
world, in that you are more or less
selfish. Then too, you are lazy and
Indifferent. Are you not ashamed of
such a hand, as white and soft as
woman's?"
And the light touch she gave it sent
a thrill through the young man.
Harding flushed, knowing that part
of her censure was true. Yet he did
not remind her of his noble work dur
ing those insufferable days and nights
in the Cuban trenches; neither did he
speak of his magnificent bravery at
FL Caney, for which his General had
personally praised him.
He simply said earnestly: You will
Mt least listen to me when l shall have
worked and proved myself worthy OF
you, Ruth?'
She shook her head YEARLY and
said: ut would be wrong for me to
marry you. | should only make you
as discontinued as | am myself, hold
ing the views | do about life. No. |
shall carry out my intention of study
ing medicine, and shall try to find
some interest in that"
Harding shudderd But we shall
always be good friends, promise me,
Jack" looking ut him wistfully.
"Iang being friends he muttered.
Then with a look of determination, be-
fore which she quailed, he seized her
hands with a grasp almost painful in
its intensity and said slowly in low
tones surcharged with emotion; "As
there is God in Heaven, l shall
make you marry ME, Ruth Fletcher"
Ruth's will was strong, but it had
met its match. She trembled, but did
not speak again until she answered
Harding's muttered good night ut the
door of her house.
They both passed a sleepless night.
He paced the floor, struggling manful-
ly with his trouble. She sat stlll in
her room, her hands tightly clasped.
only too sure that she had done right
| ly in refusing Jack, yet for all that,
loving him more passionately than
ever.
AS soon as 1t was light Harding
| threw himself into his boat for a furi-
Gus row on the river. After half an
hours hard rowing he was Mortified
| to see in the distance an overturned
canoe and a woman struggling in the
water. Now his college training on the
crew came into splendid service, and
he rowed as he had never done in a
race.
AS he put about his heart stood still
for the drowning woman was Ruth
| Fletcher. With great difficulty he man
aged to pull her into the boat When
she had sufficiently recovered she told
him that she had started out In her
canoe before light and had got upset
| by running into a large rock.
1t was o'clock when Harding
rowed down the river again, this
time much more slowly. The sun was
shining brightly and the birds were
singing, and in his heart was an I'M
speakable joy.
Suddenly Ruth leaned toward him,
put both hands on his and said, with
the gentleness In her voice and the
look in her eyes lie had so often
longed for; How good the old world
seems after all, and, Jack, dear, how
l do love you"