The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-26

naturediy agreed to ride RobS horse and
lead the others
At last they reached the farm house
and Rob took her carefully down. Her
loot lust touched the wheel and with a
sharp cry she regained consciousness and
began TO weep Historically.
on, darling DON'T" said Rob helpless,y
here's mother. Now you'll he all right"
Ruth chung about his neck and they s.
appeared into the kitchen.
Mary clambered down from the wagon
as best she could and stood a moment with
clenehed hands Rob loves her." she said,
under her breath, and then with shame in
her heart she went TO her sister and did
all that could be done for her.
BY the time the doctor had made his
visit she had SO far conquered herself that
she went 10 Rob, who was pac ng the yard
like wild thing, and told him in quite
sisterly fashion that Ruth was not serious
ly hurt. A sprained ankle and general
shaking up was all
For the next few weeks Ruth was an
interesting invalid. Every morning Rob
carried her out under The trees in the door
way and she held her court there. She in
sisted that Mary should ride with enc
young man each day while the other stay
ed at home and entertained her This ar
rangement kept Harry Downs in a trying
state of mind, for on the day he rode with
Mary he longed 10 ask her to be his wife,
but the very next morning he spent with
Ruth, and she teased and petted him till
he was sure she was the only woman to
make him happy
The weeks went by swiftly and Ruth
gained steadily. One day Mary came home
from her ride with Harry Downs, and
coming round the corner of the house
found Ruth and Rob walking together.
Ruth using Rob's arm for a crutch. They
were so busy talking they did not notice
her. and she hurried into the house, STUN
bling over book on the threshold.
She opened it mechanically and found
the leaf turned down at Lowelps Love"
80 that is what they are discussing" she
thought, with a bitter little laugh. Her
feet carried her heavily over the stairs and
she felt worn and old as she entered her
room.
The evenings were cool and were usu-
ally spent in the big living room, where
a cheerful wood fire burned in the big
fireplace. On this evening after supper
Ruth occupied the couch and Mr. and MrsN
Allen sat by the hearth, she knitting a
red stocking that was to delight some pic
aninny's soul, and he with the evening
paper spread before him. Rob and Mary
were at the piano and soon Harry Downs
came in, was welcomed by all and then
sat down very near Ruth.
Rob selected song after song and Mary
sang them In pure, sweet contralto. She
was so placed mat Sne cOulQ see ruin
and her mind wandered from the music to
her sisters face Ruth was looking up
at Harry Downs and blushing brightly.
He was talking low and. earnestly and
she answered him at some length. Then
he leaned forward eagerly and took her
hand for a moment, and then leaned back
and apparently became absorbed in the
music.
Ruth noticed that Rob appeared alb
stracted and she finally told him he was
selecting songs she knew he particularly
dislked.
Am ~" he said quietly, well, to tell
you the truth, my mind is not on what 1
am doing. Mary after a pause, II am
trying to get up my courage to ask the
dearest little woman in the world 10 be
my wife. I'm afraid she don't love me
though and can't give her up wholly, so
like the coward that 1 am 1 just hover
round her and hesitate. I've had great
many opportunities in the last few weeks
but something in her manner repels me
when 1 try to,ask the question"
Mary looked down helplessly, answering
not a word.
I'VE have always been good friends, 1
think, Mary" the quiet voice went on.
AT this Mary raised her head and look
ed fun into the honest face above her.
Robs fine eyes were full of a soft be-
seeching and a great love lurked In their
depths. 1t seemed bitter hard to the girl
| that she should be asked to act as go
| between in this matter. But she loved
/ him enough for any sacrifice, and her an
swer was quite steady.
! Eyes, Rob, and we always will be the
| best of friends. l will let you know to-
morrow" and she fed precipitately to a
seat between the placid old people by the
| fire.
At bed time Mary faced her task while
the two girls were brushing their hair
Ruth she began, ARE you In earn
est?"
PANTY, what about?"
Mary put down her hairbrush and took
her sister by the shoulders. you are
| tri1ing with a good mans affections" she
| began sternly, lin the afternoon you have
| a tete-a-tete with Rob and talk over love
| poems and lean on his arm. In the even
| ing you lounge on the sofa and let Harry
Downs mold your hand. Now tell me what
| you mean"
"Yes'm," answered Ruth with mock
weakness, II was going to anyway, only
| you hurt my arm"
| Mary flung her away, laughing In spite
of herself. Il don't mean 10 be cross. Only
do tell me honestly if you love Rob. Don't
play with him, dear"
YES" Ruth said slowly with wicked
smile, 81 dove Robert" and / know he
loves me. Why, he tod me so the first
| time he came to Boston when l was seven
! and he was ten, aud my affection has not
| diminished bit. But if you'd asked me IL
| | loved Harry Downs 1 should have to say
Yes" 100, and he tod me tonight what
! sort of a girl he would like for a wife, ana
| she has a pug nose and freckles and ugly
! hair ike mine. l did intimate that
| wouldn't mind If he came to Boston next
| summer You sac, Rob's good enough
| fellow and all that, but he happens 10 like
a girl with a straignter nose than mine
| better than he does me. He told me so the
day we discussed love"
| Ruth had delivered herself of this speech
so rapidly that Mary could only stand
wild eyed and stare at her. Before she
| could frame a suitable reply Ruth was
| snoring ostent atiously.
/ Meanwhile the same subject was being
| discussed by MIR. and Mrs Allen. "Durn-
| ed if see what the young ones are up
! TO-" said he old man as he dressed a chair
! back i'm his Gear. Seems to be a game Of
| love all as they say in tennis. l thought
| one time IL was a sure thing between
Ruth and Robert, but they change round