The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-09-26
heir Step-Sister's Surprise
By CORA A. DONALDSON

all the attention Louise was al
ready engaged. She looked upon Ruth
as an old maid. You'll never marry
now" she said. No. she never would.
The girls would go. but she would
stay. Her father and she would be
| old together For her 1t would be a
case OF 'crusts and left-overs" to the
end
Hark. The man next door was play
Ing and singing. She knew what he
was singing. 1t was The Monotone
what strange man he was-or al
least, Helen said he was strange. and
she knew him better than any OF
them. unless, indeed. 1t was her ia
Their 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 flow
ers 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 vel
come. Ruth had gone once decor
ously to call, as befitted her position
|
hold. She had been a 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 successful
ly concealed by abundant stuffing.
Mrs. Fleet had been very sweet to
her. but Ruth had felt somehow that
she preferred the society 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
e the parlor and practice with might
t and main. 1t was pity that her
e music had cost 30 much and had
). come to nothing.
It headed on the grass before her look
8 Ing at her, kindly smile under his
grayish mustache.
r She brought her eyes down from
e. the moon to him with start sc
o the youngsters have gone and ief
r. you?" he said. Il heard a commo
ton here little while ago and sus
pected that the river had called them
4 1t has called me. too. I've got new
n boat down there under the bank-th'
\ paint is just dry on it-oh. beautiful
II boat-and as my sister is as afraid
Y water as a hen I've come to see l
\ you won't go with me for little row
4 "Oh, Mr. MART" Ruth gasped In dc
/ light and her face bloomed in sh
| radiance. Why, I've just been dyin
n to go-and now | can! It's so goo
l of you to ask me
81 Oh, the wonder of the river and Tn
!, moon and the boats motion and tn
J man at the oars, whose face locke
| young enough and handsome enoug
z in the generous light! He sung
n her softly in his rich voice; he talke
to her; he told her amusing storie
And Ruth forgot that she was timi
and forlorn and laughed and conhde
in him until it seemed that she ha
II told him every secret of her poor II
y Ito life
Il ut is a pity that you have had
4 neglect your music when you love
81 So" he said. but | am sure that WI
"A a few good lessons you could pick
up again easily.
Il 81 suppose So" Ruth sighed. %
you see haven't the time
Take time Give your honsekee
lad ing over to your sisters" AS s.
stared at him in surprise he Lean
-. forward resting upon the GA
~ Ruth. tell me, If you could. wouldl
W. YOU emancipate yourself by marryl
DIS somebody who had money and Won
~" be good to you. Wouldn't you' dear
lao "But-nobody-w
lau "Yes. somebody would-does.
lch- Ruth | must seem like a pretty
tne fellow to you. but l believe | COZ
sne make you happy. want you. de
ing And my sister is willing. We ha
sue talked it over together. IL you
ner marry me can promise that
she shall rever regret"
me- An hour later Ruth. somewhat
ing oouorod from the excitement OF
ad- ceiving and accepting her first p
nosal stole upstairs. AS she oper
ney the door of her room an unsual SIT
ons erected her. The girls were thu
way souatting on the floor about the OF
~ window.
1eh' 1--WE couldn't see the moon
orn' where else" Louise said. Wh
"e have you been. RUTH
Ia 1--WE been on the river, Ruth
Ia swered. trying to keep her hal
sne voice steady. Il went with Mr.. M
the IN his new boat. And-and. oh. gil
'vei I NAV as we'll tell you. Tm-he-
gear going to marry him!"
ant. There was an aghast silence. +
A'AS Louise spoke.
well" she said. 'of course It's
very right If you love him.
she Glove him!" Ruth repeated.
lsn. her voice rang. Il adore him. gil
- she cried