The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1908-04-10

had been as smooth and clear rs oil,
had been occupied by scores Of pleas
ure-boats. and ruined by hundreds Of
pairs of snowy arms and 1.-the young
bodies.
Now the beach was left solitary to
answer back tho amorous bsbblings
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
a fine display of brilliant illumination
and smart toilets. In the big corner
room, where there was q family Of
young girls, little dancing was 60
ing on. In one room they were play
ing cards, in another a man sang.
At the far end of the ribbonlike line
Of light woman sat alone. She was
slender and tall, with waving masses
OF rudy hair.
Hers was the only room from which
no sound came; not even a sigh to
mingle with the merry discord. She
sat very statue of silence, one hand
supporting her round chin, the other
loosely clasping letter.
1t 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 Mr. Ashton died this morn
ing early We shall be glad to hear
from you when II will be convenient
for you to see us on business. Yours
truly, Sparkins & Moore"
1t was very short, and yet Ruby
Ashton read it 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 even ventured into the Fors-
ters' room one moment Not that |
"eally 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,
% hn in, bai 20
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 cordially of her
manner had frozen into stiff con
5traint, and that she did not look at
him as she CURLY answers that she
was well, but in no mood for com
pany.
is that a hint for me to go?"
1T is as you pl, ase to take it," she
said cOldly; then arose, turned from
him, and looked cut toward the little
yacht floating out on the moonlit sea-
For a 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.
He drew near to her, close to her
soft, clinging skirts
80 you've not gomez" she said
presently, but not moving
mo! / am here. Do you quite for
get what l have come for?"
do you hold me to my promise?"
81 must. week ago | asked you
question, the question that a man ask
a woman when he loves her. You told
me that | should have your answer to
night"
She turned and faced him, with
white cheeks, and eyes filled with IN
shed tears.
II told you | had husband. Could
there be any other answer from a
married WOflldn 10 lndn-Wnen SNe
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
slvery draperies and mournful 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.
Dick! Dick" soft hand clasped
his arm, the cadence of a delicious
5oice thrilled in his ear. Dick, | told
you | had a husband 1t was true