The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1911-07-28

first and latterly the girls had won
all the attention. i. 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 60, but she would
stay. Her father and she would be
old together For her 1t would be
case of "crusts and left-overs" to the
end.
Hank! The man next door was play
ing and singing. She knew what ne
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 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 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 stutting.
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 pity that her
music had cost so much ane aad
come to nothing.
Miss Ruth" A man stood bare
headed on the grass before her look
ing at her, kindly smile under his
grayish mustache.
She brought her eyes down from
the moon to him with start. $50
the youngsters have gone and left
yOu ~ ho cold ~ hoard n cornmO.
ton here a 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 go with me for little row.
"Oh, Mr.. Marr!" 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 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, If you could. wouldn't
you emancipate yourself by marrying
somebody who had money and would
be good to you. Wouldn't you. dear"
"But-nobody-
"Yes, somebody would-does. |,
Ruth. must seem like a pretty old
fellow to you, but ! believe | could
make you happy. l want you, dear.
And my sister is willing. We have
talked 1t over together. If you will
marry me l can promise that you
shall never regret"
An hour later Ruth. somewhat re-
covered from the excitement Of re-
ceiving and accepting her first pro-
posal, stole upstairs. AS she opened
the door Of her room an unsual sight
greeted her. The girls were there
squatting on the floor about the open
window.
I'VE couldn't see the moon any.
where else," Louise said. Where
have you been, Ruth?"
1--WE been on the river" Ruth an.
swered, trying to keep her happy
voice steady. Il went with Mr.. Mari
in his new boat. And-and, oh, girls!
l may as well tell you. I'm-he-I'm
going to marry him!"
There was an aghast silence. Then
Louise spoke.
Well" she said. of course it's all
right II you love him"
Love him." Ruth repeated and
her voice rang. Il adore him. girls"
she cried