The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1910-07-06


her # would be case OF .'crusts and
left-overs" to the end.
Harki The man nex door was
playing and singing. She knew what
he was singing. It was The Mono
tone What a strange man be was
or. at least, Helen said he was strange.
and she knew him better than any Of
them, unless, indeed, It was her
father. Ever since he had come with
his old sister TO live In the beautiful
house next door he had been kind to
them all. sharing his fruit and flowers
with them and lending the girls books
and music. They were always going
to his house on some mission or other.
and they were always welcome. Ruth
had gone once decorously to call. as
beftted her position as nominal head
OF her fathers household. She had
been little awed by what she had
seen. 1t must be so nice TO have rugs
that had no worn places and chairs
whose interior mechanism OF springs
was successfully concealed by abun-
dant stuflng Mrs. Fleet had been
very sweet TO her. but Ruth had felt
somehow that she preferred the soci.
ETY. OF the girls And SO she had not
gone again.
The piano next door ceased. Mr..
Mari evidently did not intend to sing
again. Ruth wished he would. When.
ever she heard him playing she felt an
impulse to fly to the old piano in the
parlor and practice with might and
main. 1t was a pity that her music
had cost so much and had come to
nothing.
Miss Ruth" A man stood bare.
headed on the grass before her. look.
ing at her, kindly smile under his
grayish mustache.
She brought her eyes down from the
moon to him with a start. so the
youngsters have gone and left you?"
he said. y heard commotion here
little while ago and suspected that the
river had called them. 1t has called
me. too. I've got new boat down
there under the bank-the paint is
just dry on it-oh. a beautiful boat
and as my sister is as afraid OF water
as hen I've come to see If you won't
go with me for little row. A boat
isn't a good place to be alone In"
"oh, Mr.. MARI" Ruth gasped in de-
light and her face bloomed in shy
radiance. Why I've Just been dying
to go-and now cam It's so good OF
You to ask me-"
Oh. the wonder OF the river and the
moon and the boats motion and the
man at the oars. whose face looked
young enough and handsome enough
in the generous light! He sung to her
softly IN his rich voice; he talked to
her; he told her amusing stories. And
Ruth forgot that she was timid and
forlorn and laughed and confded in
him until ii seemed that she had told
him every secret OF her poor little life.
1T is pity that you have had to
neglect your music when you love it
SO. he said. but l am sure that with
few good lessons you could pick it
up agais easily"
= suppose so" Ruth sighed. but
/ you see haven't the time"
Take time. Give your housekeep-
ing over 10 your sisters" AS she
stared at him in surprise he leaned
! forward resting upon the oars. Ruth,
tell me, If you could. wouldn't you
emancipate yourself by marrying
somebody who had money and would
be good to you Wouldn't you. dear?.'
"But-nobody--would-"
Yes, somebody would-does.. |,
Ruth. must seem like a pretty old
fellow to you. but believe could
make you happy. want you. dear.
And my siste; IS willing. We have
talked it cy-5 together Ii you Will
marry ne caa promise that you shall
never regret.
An hour lpJer Ruth. somewhat re-
covered from The excitement OF re.
ceiving and accepting her first pro
posal. stole upstairs. AS she opened
the door OF her room an unusual sight
greeted her IL. girls were there
sQuattIng on the hoor about the open
window
We couldn't see the moon any
where else. Louise said. Where
have you been. Ruth?"
i've been on the river" Ruth an.
swered. trying to keep her happy voice
steady. I went with Mr.. Mari in his
new boat And-and. oh. girls. may
as well tell you. I'm-he-Im going
10 marry him"
There was an aghast silence. Then
Louise spoke.
Well" she said. "of course its all
right II YOU love him"
Love him." Ruth repeated. and her
voice rang, Il adore him. girls" she
cried.
Prussia's State Income.
The state income Of Prussia from
public properties amounted. in 1908.
to somewhat more than the total in.
come from taxation and from borrow