Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1911-08-19


ready engaged. She looked upon Ruth
as an old maid You'll never marry
now" she said. No. she never would
The girls would 60. but she would
stay. Her father and she would be
old together. For her It would be q
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. It 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. II 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 now-
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 well
come. Ruth had gone once decor.
ously to call. as befitted her position
as nominal head of her fathers house
hold. She had been . little awed BY
what she had seen. It must be SO
nice to have rugs that had no worn
places and chairs whose interior
mechanism OF springs was successful
" concealed by abundant stufiing.
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.
TheA 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 q 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. a kindly smile under his
grayish mustache.
She brought her eyes down from
the moon to him with a start 80
the youngsters have gone and left
you?" he said. Il heard a commo-
ton here little while ago and sus-
pected 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. beautiful
boat--and as my sister Is as afraid OF
water as hen I've come to see II
you won't 60 with me for a little row.
"Oh. Mr.. Mart" Ruth gasped in de-
light and her face bloomed in shy
radiance. why. I've just been dying
to go-and now 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 It seemed that she had
told him every secret of her poor lit
tie life
1T is pity that you have had to
neglect your music when you love 1t |
So" he said. but am sure that with
a few good lessons you could pick 1t |
up again easily"
Il suppose So" Ruth sighed. but
you see 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. II you could, wouldn't
you emancipate yourself by marrying
somebody who, had mopey and would
be good to you. Wouldn't you, dsar?"
acknowledgements"
"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 sister is willing. We have
alked It over together II you will
marry me ] can promise that you
shall rever regret"
An hour later Ruth, somewhat re-
covered from the excitement Of re-
.eiving and accepting her first pro
,osal. stole upstairs. As she opened
he door of her room an unsual sight
erected her The girls were there
quatting on the floor about the open
window II
I'VE couldn't see the moon any.
where else" Louise said. Where
ave you been, RUTH"
i've been on the river" Ruth an /
wered, trying to keep her happy
dice steady. Il went with Mr.. Mari /
n his new boat And--and. oh, girls!
may AZ we'll tell you. I'm-he-i'm q
DING to marry him!" o
There was an aghast silence. Then
.ouise spoke. b
WELL she said, of course It's all
light II you love HIM"
Love him!" Ruth repeated, and
or voice rang. Il adore him. girls"
he cried.