The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1907-10-11

Peter broke the silence.
you'll he going back home pretty
soon now, won't sou?" he asked.
Ruby nodded.
'We expect to leave Saturday. Dab.
ney must visit I'LL. uncle from whom
he has expectations. and mother wants
me to coine to her for Il few weeks.
She Is in the mountains.' +
'I'm glad that you're going" he said
abruptly.
"Glad!" Ruby turned in her seat to
face him. Il don't think that you are
very polite!" she cried.
Il couldn't bear to think of your be.
ing here after | am gone," he exclaim.
ed simply.
You are going?" she asked. 81
thought YOU lived here"
II was here only for the summer"
he explained. Il must go back home
too"
Il suppose you will carry pleasant
recollections Of this delightful coun.
try" she said. II know that l shall
always remember this summer most
pleasantly"
II want to take away something
else he said slowly. Ruby turned her
face away and let her gaze wander
over the fragrant Towering buckwheat.
II want to take with me your promise
that some day l may come for you,"
he went on-''that some day l may
come and claim you for my bride.
May l, Gcar::'
Gently iiuby drew from his grasp
the hand he had seized. Her heart
cried Yes but there came into her
mental vision the prospect of her am
bilious mother. Mrs. Forbush would
never consent to their union. and Mrs.
Forbush could make life very unpleas-
ant when she elected.
Il am sorry" she said softly, "but ]
cannot answer you as you want me to
I shall always remember most pleas
antly this happy summer. Please do
not ask more Of me-" r
"You do not love me?' he demanded
bluntly.
81 do like you."' she said. I'll can
not say more"
Peter ficked his horse with his whip.
and the patient animal logged on. He
spoke no more of his love, and Ruby
was grateful to him. "
She went about her shopping while
Peter drove ove to the %postotice to
report. When he returned to meet her
it was with Il livery rig.
81 cannot use the delivery horses
now." he explained. II am no longer
working for the contractor. Shall we
go home by the river road?"
Her eyes made answer. The river
road was the longest and prettiest, and
she would not deny herself this last
trip with the man she loved. TOmor-
row ha must pass out of her life. To-
night she wished only that she might
drive on and on far into the soft sum
mer night.
But Peter kept the horse at a trot,
and presently they were at the farm.
He was a favorite with Mrs. Slocum.
and she insisted that he come in and
take supper with them. He fingered
in the gloom of the trees until the
moon was high, but at last he had to
go.
II want TO say goodby 70 you here
under the trees" he said as he rose to
his feet. "After l have harnessed up
the whole family will come out. l nm
sorry you could not say Yes dear, but
l do not blame you. and l shall always
love you and cherish the memory of
this summer"
He bent over her and lightly brush.
ed her forehead with his lips. Then he
strobe off toward the barn, and pres
emily she heard the grating of the bug.
gy wheels upon the graveled walk.
took farewell of the group on the back
porch, and then the carriage came
down the drive and turned into the
road.
For a moment the world seemed to
stand still for Ruby; then she leaped
from the hammock and went flying
down the dusty road after the buggy.
"Peter! Peter!v' she called softly.
"Come back. 1t was all a mistake. l
do love you,a and l will marry you, no
matter what mother says"
In an instant he had sprung from the
buggy and had her in his arms. Dab
ney came running up.
II want to be the first to congratu-
late you, old man.. he said as he grasp
ed Peters hand. II knew you'd win,
even il sis does hate all the men
know"
"All the men You knoww gasped
Ruby.
.'This is Pennington, Pete Penning.
tom lie explained. my roommate ut
college. He took the job to meet you
without the disadvantage of my in
dorsemeat."
II would have loved him anyhow
declared Ruby stoutly, millionaire or
RE-. d. clerk. as you like"
When You Are Bilious.
The only salvation for the person