The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-17
ILLUSTRATED SUNDAY MAGAZINE.

The old people were now so decrcpit
that had 1t not been for Jeremiahs PEN
sion and Ruby's strong willing hands,
times would have been hard with them;
but hers was brave sunshny nature
and she never faltered, keeping steadily
on. doing anything that came In her
way during vacations and studying in
her leisure moments. for her firm pur-
pose was to become a teacher.
The girl had one great comfort. 1t
was the boat-her boat--a fine stanch
little cedar craft that had SO far deiled
times ravages and to Ruby 1t seemed
II mysterious thing-a link between her
self and the unknown past. Her foster
father had taken great care of it. and
had by 1t picked up many n dollar
CARRYING vegetables and fruit to market.
for the so-called creek WAS really a
little river which led TO the sea.
Ruby used TO love to lie in the boat
under the willows and read. Somehow
though inanimate 1t seemed very dear
to her. Did she not come In 1t over the
hood! Whence? All. that wos ques-
ton she had often asked herself!
Would she ever know"
OF late, n flavor of romance had
come into her young life One day,
icly dreaming under the willows, she
was aroused by n call from the other
shore! ~ man stood bcckoning TO her
1t was but the work of n moment to
scull the boat across to where he
waited, evidently taking 1t for a ferry
boat. He was u handsome aristocratic
looking youth with dark hair and eyes.
ana when he saw pretty maid instead
of ferryman he appeared n little con-
fused. rs this a ferry?". he asked.
NO. said Ruby denurely, but I will
gladly take you across"
So they met, and when he left her,
after staying as long as he dared, 1t
was evident each was interested in the
other.
Euby's day dreams took on a new
color, the handsome stranger came into
them to the exclusion of all else even
the coveted position as teacher in a
high school; but she was a sensible,
normal maiden, and resolved to Danish
thoughts of one who was no doubt far
above her. Again she met him at the
village church, where she sang in the
choir and from the organ loft she felt
his eyes upon her when she rose to
sing solo. Once their eyes met and
she dropped hers. blushing like a rose,
so ardent was his gaze.
That was on Sunday and Ruby wore
simple white gown with cluster of
pink moss roses at her belt. and Cecil
Douglas, through all the happy years
to come never forgot the lovely maiden
singing In the village choir. ana from
that time the moss rose was his
favorite flower
The next day was warm and balmy
The old couple sat in their rocking
chairs on the wide piazza of the little
red house. The roses were In full
bloom and the fragrance of n climbing
honcy-suckle filed the air. From the
creek came the melody Of an old hymn
Ruby was in the boat singing to her
self, looking up at the waving WILLOW
branches with Il glimpse of blue sky be-
yond.
'liark to our little gal" said the old
man. What sweet strong voice she
has. always liked that song about
Jerusalem the Golden It's sort o.
comfortin."
Presently the sound ceased. Gone
back to her books said jeremiah.
Strange how much our child thinks
of books" remarked Hannah. I'VE never
cared much for book larnin"
But ina. Ruby's got different blood
In her veins. calculate that does make
some difference"
The woman was silent. She disliked
being reminded that Ruby was not their
own child.
The gate clicked and a tall angular
girl in brown gown and sunbonnet
n