The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1905-04-08
RUTH.
BY FLORA srEwARr EMORY.

By FLORA sTEwART EMORY.
"I hate them /" Ruth Martin
sobbed, as she smoothed out the
plain little dress she was ironing. 81
wouldn't care so much if they weren't
twins. Just as if we didn't have
more babies now than we can sup
port. It is cruel and hard !; wish
I was dead-so there -
Ruth, Ruth" a faint voice call.
ed from the stairs, where is Rob-
biel"
Ruth's face softened as she answer
ed: II guess he is in the yard,
dearest; don't worry, everything is
getting along nicely. You must be
careful-you know the doctor will
scold if you are not. =
"I am CAREFUL" her mother said,
wearily. "But I can't help worry
ing when I don't hear Robbie you
know he runs away every chance he
gets"
Ruth knew. Didn't she leave her
work dozen times day to hunt for
him? At nights. when she laid her
throbbing head on her pillow, she had
but two distinct recollections Of the
day-one Of trying to find Robbie !;
the other of allowing him to run away
just for the respite his absence gave
her.
LAS soon as finish this piece I've
sprinkled I will see where he is, /" she
responded. She heard her mother
go to her room and she choked down
the sobs that again almost mastered
her.
Twins Two of them two ba-
bies all at once |" she thought bit
terly.
Screams filed the air. Ruth rush
ed to the door. Robbie was pound
ing Elsie with his fat chubby fists
and Elsie had hold Of his long faxen
curls. Ruth seFerated them. then
glanced quickly to theupper window.
Her mothers pale face and anxious
eyes were pressed against the glass.
Something in their mute appeal al
most killed Ruth. But she smiled
family. 'Rascals, aren't they?"
she called, just as if she thought il
was a joke.
Mrs. Martin did not hear her. She
had gone back to the cradle. She
gazed down at the two little red faces
lying side by side.
81 guess my enthusiasm is gone, I"
she thought, as she recalled the wild
burst of rapture when she had clasp.
ed Ruth's small form to her heart.
Gradually the ecstacy had died. II
had been less in evidence when Elsie
came, and still less with Robbie,
Now-she dared not think about it.
She laid her head on her arm and
prayed softly.
"Dear God and Father, II beseech
Thee to forgive me. Thou hast en-
trusted two more little souls into my
keeping, to make love Thee. am
unworthy the trust, dear God; my
SHINING heart rebels. Make me
worthy the work, and-God bless
my Ruth p
CPS hungry !'Robbie whimpered
when Ruth had washed Elsie's tear
stained face. She hurried to the
stove. The fire was out and the iron:
cold.
"Oh dear r. she sighed. She went
into the yard to gather some kindline
"I want my dinner" Robbie roar
ed.
"Yes, in minute" Ruth answer.
ed as patiently as she could. It was
almost noon, and her father would
be home soon for his dinner.
II hate him, too!'' she thought.
She looked around quickly for fear
she had given her thoughts words.
Mr.. Martin was late, so Ruth was
spared his irritation. He was tiret
and dirty and ate his dinner in 81.
lence. He did not even ask after hi!
wife.
you're going up to see mother,
aren't you!" Ruth asked. He die
not answer, but started upstairs
Ruth looked after him in dull, dazeG
manner.
"Merciful Heavens |" she burs'
forth. "To think my mother evel
married him." Still standing, shs
took small miniature from her bo
som. 1t was the picture other moth
er at twenty-beautiful and glorifec
with the Joy of youth and happiness
Ruth kissed it passionately. my
precious little mother p she whis
pered.
Presently her father came down tc
the kitchen. He looked more worr
and tired than Ruth had ever remem
bered seeing him look before. "Youl
mother is worse" he said slowly.
Ruth grasped chair for support
What makes you think so?" sh'
asked in a frightened voice.
He shook his head vaguely. He
eyes are too bright. 1 will go for tht
doctor"
He picked up his hat mechanically
and Ruth's heart softened toward
him. After all, he was her fathe
and his life was hard one. He hat