The Huttig news., 1908-01-18
TWO MEN AND A WOMAN

to late afternoon, had been thronget with people, to whom the world was z pleasant Castle of Indolence.
 The sea, which for the past week had been as smooth and clear as oil had been occupied by scores of pleas ure-boats, and ruf11ed by hundreds ol pairs of snowy arms and 1.-the young bodies.
 Now the beach was left solitary to answer back the amorous babblings of the baby wavelets.
 All the light and music and laughter of the place seemed to find center on the sea-front, which stretched round the horseshoe of the bay.
 At the Beach hotel all the private sitting-rooms on the first floor made fine display of brilliant illumination and smart toilets. In the big corner room, where there was family of young girls, little dancing was go- ing on. In one room they were play ing cards, in another man sang
 At the far end of the ribbonlike line of light woman sat alone. She was slender and tall, with waving masses of ruddy hair
 | Hers was the only room from which no sound came; not even sigh to mingle with the merry discord. She supporting her round chin, the other loosely clasping letter It was that letter which had turned her into stone; and yet it gave her freedom, wealth, and the inestimable boon of good mans love.
 Dear Madam: We have to inform you that MT. Ashton died this morn ing early. We shall be glad to hear from you when it will be convenient for you to see us on business. Yours truly, Sparkins & Moore"
 It was very short, and yet Ruby Ashton read it a score of times before she dropped it into her lap; for it was pregnant with the fate of two lives her own and another's.
 And as she remembered that other it was as though intangible thought induced real presence. A light tap came at the door, and she had but time to thrust the letter into her bosom before it was opened, and closed again, and man walked to- ward her.
 "Dreaming-all alone. Why, I've been all over the hotel looking for you. I even ventured into the Fors ters' room one moment. Not that really expected to find you there they're dancing like dervishes, and all the men are boys. But-are you not well? Is anything wrong?" he asked, as he seated himself in chair facing her.
 His quick eye saw that she was not dressed for company or for the public rooms. A tea-gown fell in full folds from her throat, and both wrists and fingers were bare of the splendid jewels she generally wore. But if this mans eyes saw that his lovers eyes noted that the cordiality of her manner had frozen into stiff con straint, and that she did not look at him as she curtly answered that she was well, but in no mood for con- pany.
 "Is that hint for me to go?"
 Tt is as you please to take it," she said coldly; then arose, turned from him, and looked out toward the little yacht floating out on the moonlit sea-
 For second he almost took Ruby at her word. But one glance at the | delicate outline of her perfect figure | silhouetted against the cobalt sky, one | look at the sweet ivory of her neck, and he pleased" to take it as a hint | to stay.
 soft, clinging skirts.
 "So you've not gone?" she said presently, but not moving
 No! l am here. Do you quite for get what have come for?"
 Do you hold me to my promise?"
 q must. A week ago asked you a question, the question that man asks woman when he loves her. You told me that 1 should have your answer to- night
 She turned and faced him, with white cheeks, and eyes filled with un- shed tears.
 T told you I had husband Could there be any other answer from a married woman to a man-when she | loved him?'
 "Ah, Ruby, then you do love me?" stretching forth eager hands to her.
 Yes! love you. Is not that enough?" she said simply, though her heart was leaping madly.
 For a moment all that was passion ate in man surged and tore within his soul. This woman, with her bewilder- ing golden eyes, loved him, and told him so. Why should he cast aside the gifts the gods offered him?
 Then he saw her face, white to the lips, grave, and very sad With her silvery draperies and mournfu eyes, she looked like an angel who weeps over the downfall of man. His passion died within him, but the struggle left him i'll and faint, and he reeled as he turned to leave her-forever.
 "pick! Dick!" A soft hand clasped