The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1911-03-16


mer, and settle down to a life OF
peace and happiness. And now, DO.
cause Frederic had tried his best to
do what would give her pleasure, every
thing apparently was at skies and sew
ems.
Finally she said, We'll, since Fred
eric says the magazine IL the best
paying investment he has ever had he
cannot be losing money even II he is
printing your stories. People must
like them or they would not read
them"
Frederic himself had presented this
view Of the subject to Ruth. but she
was too angry to hear reason from
any one; and now with the reckless
abandon of youth she promptly put all
her remaining manuscripts in the fire.
For four years Frederic Mortimer
had been trying to win Ruth Harri.
sons promise TO become his wife. but
her reply was ever the same-thnt she
wanted to have her own share In the
battle Of life, not become merely an
onlookcr
Tho incident Of the stories was only
half as bad as Ruth considered IT, for
unless they had been worth printing
they never would have been published
In tp'to-Date Romance, c,en with
Fredcric's influence.
1t took time and patience for him TO
mako his peace with the offended
] ~ lEa
they were apparently on their usual
terms-all Il lovers devotion on Fred.
cries part, friendship on Ruth's
Not long after Ruths sad fall from
the pinnacle OF fame cousin Of Fred
eric Mortlmer's arrived TO spend the
summer with him. This was the
cousins first trip east, for he had been
born and reared on big ranch in Cal.
iiornIa. He was fair type Of the
breezy west tall straight, handsome,
full Of life and yigor and with a happy
disposition
From their first meeting there
seemed a mutual attraction between
Ruth Harrison and Guy Atkinson.
Guy Atkinson had heard of his
cousins love for Ruth. for Frederic
could not keep seine mention OF her
out Of his letters and the cousins had
corresponded for years lie was pre-
pared to admire her rs Frederic's
sweetheart, with no thought of danger
to himself
There we're many picnics and other
social gatherings during that summer
and Ruth often met the Californian.
Mrs. Harrison was delighted with
tho way in which her daughter had
changed, She said to her husband
The child really seems 10 be grow
! ing fond OF household duties and
never hear word about any new
effort at earning money believe
Frederic's faithfulness is beginning to
touch her heart"
Toward tho end OF the season a
party OF young people planned for n
sail down the river the party to have
n picnic supper on small island
which was favorlte resort for such
affairs, and take the homeward sail
/ by moonlight. The program was car.
ried out perfectly until the point OF
/ gettir" supper on the island. Here
| some Of the number wanted to make n
| fire to boil the kettle for n pot OF tea
I They all set to work collecting sticks
| and soon had merry blaze
/ Ruth and Guy were left to tend the
| fire while the other we're busy spread.
| ing their repast on convenient knoll
/ After n few moments Ruth, with the
Impotence of youth. bent over the fire
TO see II the kettle was heating as
rapidly as It should. Suddenly. the
| hem OF her dress touched an outlying
| brand and at once blazed up. Guy was
a few feet away and saw the accident
| Tearing off his coat no quickly wrap
/ ped II about her, and In few seconds
the fame was mothered. He had fall
len to his knees 10 reach her flaming
skirt, and now looked UP into her
white face.
Darling, you are safe" he said
simply-then he realized the term he
had used and slow flush spread over
his face 1t was matched by the scar.
let OF Ruth's own.
He rose to his feet and their friends
came rushing up. Guy donned his
slightly scorched coet and Ruth's
friends assisted her TO make repairs.
The girl herself felt as II she were
in dream, and both she and Guy
Atkinson were unusually quiet and
subdued for the remainder OF the
evening.
Tho next morning Ruth received an
early call from the Californian. She
was wandering about the beautiful
rose garden which was the pride OF
her fathers heart when Guy found
her
Miss Harrison, | wish to apologize
for speaking as | did to you. | have
known all along that you were to be-
come Frederic's wife and | did not
know until saw your danger how
loved you. Forgive mel wish you
and Frederic every Joy"
For a moment Ruth did not answer.
then she said slowly: II shall never
marry your cousin. do not care for
him except as friend" She hest.
tated. 81. too. made discovery yes.
terday."