The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-09-01
RUTH's LEGACY.


which she has just finished hemming
and placed it with number of similar
rolls on the table beside her, then
turned with a sigh to a heap awaiting
like treatment.
Through the open windows and door
came in the rose-scented and honey
suckle-laden air. The linden trees cast
Quivering shadows on the broad band
of sunlight on the floor. The call to
her TO 60 out seemed almost too i'm
peratiVe to be resisted.
Ruth gave her thread an impatient
twist as she took the first stitch in
another towel.
1t would be so beautiful down by the
river, she thought; and she had
planned to sketch that one bit of
mingled sunlight and shadow by the
willows. Later in the day the sun
would be too high for the effect she
wanted.
Her im2atience increased as the
sound Of her mothers voice, softly
singing a hymn as she moved about her
kitchen tasks. reached her ears. How
could her mother he SO contenteds so
accomplishing in their humdrum lot?
There was no one who symDathiZed
with her in her longing for something
higher and better in life. The mono
tonous routine of their way of living
was becoming uncomfortable.
Mrs. Fulton came in after awhile.
Nearly through with the towels,
Ruth?" she asked
The girl raised her head, an impa-
tent answer rising to her lips; but
something in her mothers face, either
its gentle patience or its tired lines,
touched her. She replied briefly: Not
nearly"
We'll" said Mrs Fulton, you won't
have any more for some time"
But there will be something else,
though" said Ruth, signing.
Her mother made no reply. She seat
ed himself, and taking a pair of stock
ings from 2 well-flled basket on a
a table near her, began to darn Pres
emily she said: IF you wish, dear, you
may put those towels away till tomor-
row."
'Oh, no. I'll finish them today" re-
turned Ruth There would be no use
in going out them, she thought; II was
too late for the view she wanted. She
worked on resolutely. Mrs. Fulton
seemed thoughtful over her darning,
and silence reigned. This was broken
by the entrance of Mr.. Fulton.
Not out sketching, Ruth?" he asked.
Those towels had to be hemmed,
explained his wife.
"Ohi L sect Well, little girl, there
will be other mornings.
Il hope SO, sighed Ruth:
Her father seated himself by the
omen doorway. Il saw Mr.. Lang in
the village this morning" he said. 1t
is decided at last that Lena is TO go
TO the city for a year at the ConserVa-
tory of Music
"Ohr' exclaimed Ruth, breathlessly.
why, how is that?" asked Mrs. Full
ton N q surprised voice, Mrs. Lang
told ne not long ago that they had
given up all plans of that kind for
Lena"
ssThey have sold that western land,
and the price they have received is SO
much greater than they expected that
they are able to give Lena few num-
dreds for her music"
II am glad" said Mrs. Fulton, heart
when is she going, father?' asked
Ruth.
Next week. 1 believe"
How unexpectedly things come
sometimes" said Mrs. Fulton.
yes" assented her husband, as he
onened his newly arrived Farm Jour
nal.
Ruth's needle flew quickly in and
o,lf. Her thoughts were in turmoil
All the discomfort which she had been
striving for the last month to Stlf1e
was stirred W. Everyone was more
fortunate than she. Edith Brown had
zone to college Mary Wells was go
mr. To the city twice a week for sing
ing lessons, and now here was this
news about Lena Lang. And she must
90 on with the commonplace routine
IF Homework. How she hated it ali!
And she had talent for better things,
FOO. She was sure of it. That artist
TWO years ago had said that she had
unusual talentfor painting Was she
never to have chance to develop 1t?
She was sure that she could earn the
money for it herself if her parents
would only consent.
Her mother broke in upon her
thoughts with a gentle, 1T is time
for US to go and see about dinner,
dear" -. ,.i+o,
an with a determination of speaking
70 her father of plan, which had
been forming in her mind, at the first
evening after tea as they were sitting !
an the veranda IN the soft June twi-
light. The conversation had again