Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-27
LOVE, CARFARE, AND
A PLUTOCRAT

on the veranda OF the old home on the bank OF
the James. 1t was shabby house now. The
plantation had practically all been sold-some
of it to the old family slaves who lived in al
most greater luxury in their little cabins than
was possible for Ruth and her aunt. Tonight
Ruth sat looking down through the long avenue
of trees through which Perham had sped in his
motor, through which she must ride by his
side on the morrow. The tears were rolling
down her cheeks. unheeded in her shame, and
humiliation, and repugnance. She had been
high stopper" enough to suit Perham, keep
ing him from all familiarities, refusing the
slightest aid for her trousseau. working hard
at simple materials with her Southern knack
for evolving prettiness out of nothing, and re-
lying on the gowns Milly had given her for the
rest.
Tonight, maddened by weeks of restraint
and by her beauty and GOODNESS, Perham had
seized and kissed her brutally at parting. When
she WINGED and cried out with the horror of it,
he only laughed like an insane man and kissed
her the harder. At last she had struck him,
and he released her.
"Confound it'll 1 couldn't help it, ;" he mutt
tered. You're SO maddeningly beautiful"
Now she sat and suffered the sting of it, and
looked forward through the vista of the years.
If he laid the whole world at her feet. could he
ever discharge the debt he would owe-for
that
"God!' she moaned, "Why is life SO hard
for us women? l have chosen, and now
must go on to the bitter end!"
the avenue. She knew them, and the rheu-
matte old figure which outlined itself in the
darkness. That you, Uncle Mose!" she
called. Anything wrong?"
Good eb'nin'. Missile Ruth. spec amt
got no right ter ak you, but dey ain nuttin'
you wouldn't do fur Of Chlo is dair?"
Nothing at all, Mose," answered Ruth
hastily. What does she WANT"
You see, it's dis away. or Chic, she ain
right smart an pears like she dun got it in her
L. - - -
you-all git married. Desc Of cullud pussons
ain got a heap O sense" Nose was seventy
himself
Does she want me to come down and see
her now"
Dat she do. honey: Jes'so!"
why. Of course I'll 60. Just wait while 1
tell aunty."
In a moment she was back, a light shawl
thrown over her shoulders, and. glad to have
her thoughts diverted from Perham, she timed
her steps to the old mans and chatted gaily
all the way down the avenue.
Exactly what happened when they turned
the corner she was too stunned to remember
afterward, except that she was seized by
strong man, who bound her shawl about her
face to stif1e her screams, pinioned her arms
at her side, and lifted her into light buggy,
where another man threw his arm about her,
and drove off furiously in the direction of
Richmond. One thing more-old Nose made
no attempt to cry for help or to save her from
Just bit terrified. although feeling in
tuitively that she was safe enough, she stared
at the man and demanded: Who are you,
and why have you done thisf"
She felt a strange culver of his body against
her as If he choked back laugh. His collar
was turned high, his soft felt hat pulled low
over his eyes, but the outline of nose and chin
was familiar. She thrust her face closer in
the darkness, confirmed the recognition, and
cried in anger:
"Boyce Meadei You? Take me home in
stantly!"
He wound the reins in knot and grlpped
them with his knees. Then he threw his freed
right arm around to meet his left and held
her firmly grasped. She struggled helplessly
against his strength.
"Boyce, what do you mean?" She was furi-
Gus at her impotence. "You-a gentleman"
He only laughed as he lovingly snuggled his
face upon her shoulders, but only long enough
to enable him to seize repeatedly the oppor-
tunities of kissing her on the neck. cheeks, and
lips. 1t was not in her power to resist, and
he heard her murmer:
"Oh, Boyce dear don't! can't bear any
more. Please. please don't"
With triumphant cry. he threw back his
head and his eyes drank the sweetness of her
face through the darkness. The slumbering
fire in her blood had awakened at his call.
Did you really believe l would let YOU
marry Perham? Could you let him carry YOU
away now!"
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