Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-05-08

lard was entirely acceptable. For the
other part, Ruth's silence helped settle
the small prickings of her conscience.
Like good many old people who have
forgotten their own love affairs, she
had very little faith in that sort OF
thing, anyway, and an overweening
fear Of the terrible risk in marriage;
risk, In her mind, much greater than Its
possible benefits.
Easter was late that year and the
spring rather advanced, so that the
short ride to the city was a pageant
of young, vivid green. The country
broke into smooth, rolling little hills /;
through them they caught frequent
glimpses Of fanciful country homes and
substantial brick farm houses. The
pretty toy stations had all been freshly
painted, and a general air Of smiling
freshness pervaded everything.
Once Mrs. Wing made a remark. She
turned an instant from the window .tc
Ruth:
IL didn't know things could be SC
pretty so near to Lenox," she said; then
turned eagerly again to her contempla.
lions.
Mr.. Willard took them to one Of the
great hotels of the city. Their room
was respondent in all the luxuries OF
soft carpetlng, gIistening brass bed.
stead, Turkish couch and easy chairs
opening from 1t was the tiled bathroom,
with all Its marble and porcelain appur.
tenances.
Mrs. Wing viewed 1t with beamins
face.
Ruth" she said, ~ am going to take
a bath. have sort of felt all my life
as II I'd had to battle in a soap dish.
I'd like to stretch out once"
Later, when she emerged, moist and
rosy, her soft gray hair In damp little
curls on her forehead, she sank down
in an easy chair with deep sigh of
satisfaction.
"Well, dear, for once In my life fee
as If / had been In the lap of luxury.
she remarked gently.
In the great dining room that night
the polished floor reflected back the
myriads Of colored electric lights. Cor
geous panels of the seasons emblazoned
the side walls. An army of walters in
full dress moved noiselessly among the
glitterlng tables.
Mrs. Wing studied her dainty menu
with pleased appreciation.
"0f course, l shouldn't like this sort
Of thing all the while, but It's real stir
ring" she whispered to Ruth.
Sunday evening after dinner, they
wandered through the long series of
artistic reception rooms.
In the Moorish room, In the shadow
Of a great group of palms, stood dlvan
piled high with cushions. The room
was empty and the lights dim.
Il think will sit here awhile; you
two may go on, If You want to-" she
said.
Somewhere In the distance she could
hear family piano and a voice sing
ing. She closed her eyes and leaned
back against the cushions in dreamy
content She could see again the great,
dim church fragrant with flowers, and
bear the joyful waves of Easter music.
1t had echoed in her soul all day. Then
the park that afternoon, in all its
young green beauty and freshness She
knew just how 1t would look In June,
when the fountains played and the
flowers bloomed
Her heart had always gone ont with
great longings to the tame, monoton-
GUS, commonplace nature she knew, but
this, this satisfied her. Other things
seemed different, too; she remembered
her long-dead glrlhbod's husband, and
the look in his eyes she had seen the
same expression on Arthur Wizards
face dozen times when he looked at
Ruth, and Ruth, how bright and happy
she was! Maybe there wasn't so much
danger, maybe.
She heard a slight movement and
opened her eyes. Mr.. Willard stood by
her How very strong and self-asser-
tive he looked
Getting lonesome?' he questioned.
"Lonesome?" she echoed
He sat down beside her and began to
talk. She could see Ruth through one
OF the archways, sitting with u maya
zine in her hand.
She began to edge off; she knew of
nothing she was particularly anxious
to say. How well he talked, though
She began to grow interested in spite
of her distress. After while ST.
lence fell between them.
Mrs. Wing" he said abruptly.
She jumped nervously, then waited.
do you really think 1t would be
such dreadful thing for Ruth to mar
ry me?'
Mrs. Wings face was both perplexed
and anxious. Why should they keep
thrusting this thing on her for decis-
ion?
Il suppose am selfish, fearful old
body" she said finally. "Maybe you
will do better by Ruth than can. 1
can't do anything but just be good to
her. You can give her a great many
beautiful things to enjoy, and they are
beautiful; when body has just
starved for them all their lives, they
know how beautiful. They won't
amount to anything, though, If you
aren't good"
There was tremulous appeal in her
voice.
The young man took her hand rever-
emily.
II will try" he said solemnly, ito be
good"
There was another little pause, then
Mrs. Wing continued hesltatlngly:
81 can't say yet am willing. Still.
II Ruth wants to risk 1t, 1 don't sup
pose ought to interfere, do your"