The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1911-07-29

first and latterly the girls had won
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 it would be a
case of ''crusts and Ieft-overs" to the
end
Hank! The man next door was play
ing and singing. She knew what he
was singing 1t was The Monotone. -
What a strange man he was-or, at
least, Helen said he was strange. and
she knew him better than any OF
them. unless, indeed, it 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 wei
come. Ruth had gone once decor
ousIy to call, as befitted her position
as nominal head of her fathers house
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 stufhng.
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
the parlor and practice with might
and main. 1t was a pity that her
music had cost so much and nad
come to nothing.
Miss Ruth" A man stood bare
headed on the grass before her look
ing at her. a 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. Il heard a commo-
ton here a little while ago and sus-
pected that the river had called them.
It has called me, too. I've got a 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 a little row.
''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 l can! 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 confided
in him until 1t seemed that she had
told him every secret Of her poor lit
| tie life
1T is a pity that you have had tC
| neglect your music when you love II
So" he said. but am sure that with
a few good lessons you could pick ii
up again easily"
81 suppose So" Ruth sighed. but
you see l haven't the time"
Take time. Give your housekeep
ing over to your sisters" AS she
stared at him in surprise he leaned
| forward resting upon the oars
Ruth. tell me, if you could. wouIdn'
you emancipate yourself by marrying
somebody who had money and would
be good to you Wouldn't you, dear 2
-nobody-would-'
Yes, somebody would-does.
Ruth. l must seem like a pretty ole
fellow to you. but / believe l couls
| make you happy. l want you, dear
And my sister is willing We have
talked it over together. If you vii
marry me can promise that vol
shall Eever regret"
An hour later Ruth, somewhat re
covered from the excitement of re
cefving and accepting her first pro
posal, stole upstairs. AS she openeC
the door of her room an unsua1 sigh
greeted her The girls were Their
suuatting on the floor about the opel
window.
I'VE couldn't see the moon any
where else" Louise said. 'fWher
have you been. Ruth?"
I've been on the river" Ruth an
swered, trying to keep her happ,
voice steady. Il went with Mr.. Mar
in his new boat And-and, oh. girls
l may as well tell you. Pm-he-I'r
going to marry him!"
There was an aghast silence. The
Louise spoke.
We'll" she said, "of course It's q
right if you love him"
Love him!" Ruth repeated. an
her voice rang 4 adore him. girls,
she cried.