Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-10-21
The IRteIcessIOl Of the Child.
81 Ny. luck. Duke?"

/ G7 NY luck, Duker'
| A She looked up with forced
smile as her husband entered
their-studfo, they termed it, but as
matter of fact it was their garret
and the only room they had.
He shook his head wearily as he
placed the canvases on the table.
1.-The dealers are full up, and l
haven't sold one"
"Never mind" she answered, tender
ly-"luck must change soon."
/ Heaven only knows that ours has
been black enough since we married"
Dearest" she said, reproachfully.
and she gathered closer to her breast
the sleeping child, whose face was so
dear to her, with the blue eyes of her
husband and its halo Of fair, curling
locks, there Is little Ruth"
| Marmaduke Seton gazed moodily
into the fire. His thoughts were far
from pleasant ones. Until four years
ago he had never known that dread
feeling of want His father, Sir Mar
maduke Seton, a very wealthy man.
had completely spoiled him. Not a
wish remained unsatisfed, and his al
lowance was a princely one.
This bringing up had the usual re-
suit Duke made up his mind that he
was an artist and nothing would shake
him in this connection.
Not even the threat of his father
dire displeasure would persuade him
to throw down his brush.
TNhoro iS NO 6o,11t that in, firno Sir
Marmaduke would have relented and
have countenanced his son in his ar
tistic ambition, but as luck would have
it, Duke went into the country to paint
landscapes There he met Ruth, his
wife, the daughter of the vicar, and at
once proceeded to make love. A few
weeks afterward he proposed to her
and was accepted.
Sir Marmaduke did not rage when
the engagement was announced to
him. He wrote few lines.
Marry this. girl and 1 have done
with you Not sou will you have.
The choice remains with you"
Duke did make his choice and mar
ried. The inevitable occurred and lit
tie Ruth was the crowning blessing to
a happy, marriage, Not for two years
did they begin, to feel the pfnch of
poverty. The ready money which he
had and the realization Of his jewelry
kept them going for that length Of
!, time. But the last six months had
been a weary fight with starvation. :.
Their "studio" cost them four shil-
lings a week-an attic Off the Gray's
Inn road-and their food cost them Of
ten less. Their thin faces and wearied
smiles were speaking evidence of their
life But little Ruth's bonny face bore
signs Of a mothers love and care.
There is plenty Of lard and pota-
toes, let us fry them," Ruth said,
cheerfully, as she placed the child on
her bed.
The next morning they were awak-
ened by the child's chatter. The sun
was shining brilliantly through the
windows of the roof.
'I will go the rounds again." he
said, as he took up his canvases. 81
will be back soon with your breakfast,
I hope, darling. Goodbye, little one"
There were tears in his eyes as he
leaned to kiss his little girl.
His wife stood looking at the open
doorway, through which her husband
had disappeared. Then, with a sigh,
she started cleaning their room.
The little one looked on for while.
In a few moments she grew tired and
wandered to the landing head. She
walked down a few steps.
Her mother went on with her work,
now and then stopping for a moment
to dash the streaming tears from her
eyes,.
7 Little Ruth reached the street.
(which way did dad go?" she lisped
to herself.
After a moments hesitation she
turned to the left A hundred yards
ahead she reached Theobald's road
and toddled along in the direction of
Oxford street.
II find him -soon-dad, dear dad. He
is crying, poor dad she murmured.
l. sudden run to cross the street, a
shrek, the pulling up':of horses, and
the little one lay motionless in the
arms of kindly policeman A quar-
ter of an hour afterward she was be-
ling attended to by the house surgeon
of a neighboring hospital
"a simple fracture Of the arm," he
remarked to the nurse. 1T was a
providential escape
whats your name, little oneT' he
asked
Ruth Seton" she answered, ODE
diently.
"Where do you nve?" was his next
question.
Far away, up high" she replied
pointing with her hand to the ceiling.
What is the name of the streets"
: Ruth doesn't know" she answered
decidedly.
What is your fathers name:'
: asked the nurse at hazard.