Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1912-12-19

ed n mutual attraction between Ruth
Harrison and Guy Atkinson. When
his dark eyes looked into her own
Ruth experienced feeling utterly
| new and strange TO her. The even
beating of her heart changed to a fitful
huttering, and instead of returning
hfs-gaze with her wonted serenity her
eyes soon sought shelter beneath their
own long lashes.
Guy Atkinson had heard Of his cou.
sins love for Ruth, for Frederic could
not keep some mention of her out OF
his letters and the cousins had CORE
sponded for years. He was prepared
to admire her as Frederic's sweet
heart, with no thought Of danger to
himself
There were many picnics and other
social gatherings during that summer
and Ruth often met the Californian.
Mrs. Harrison was delighted with
the way in which her daughter had
changed. She said to her husband:
The child really seems to be grow
ing fond of her household duties and I
never hear a word about any new ef-
fort at earning money. ] believe Fred
cries faithfulness is beginning TO
touch her heart
The friendship between Ruth and
the western cousin continued through
the summer. Then rather rude
awakening came to thom both
Toward the end of the season a
party Of young people planned for a
sail down the river; the party to have
a picnic supper on a small island
which was a favorite resort for such
affairs, and take the homeward sail by
moonlight
The program was carried out per.
fectly until the point OF getting supper
on the island. Here some Of the mum.
Der wanted to make fire to boil the
kettle for pot of tea They all set
to work collecting sticks and soon had
a merry blaze.
Ruth and Guy we're left to tend the
fire while the others were busy spread
ing their repast on convenient knoll.
After few moments Ruth, with the
Impotence of youth, bent over the fire
to see IL the kettle was heating as rap
idly as It should.
Suddenly, the hem of her dress
touched an outlying brand and at once
blazed up. Guy was few feet away
and saw the accident. Tearing off his
coat he quickly wrapped it about her,
and in a few second the flame was
smothered. He had fallen to his knees
to reach her flaming skirt, and now
looked up into her white face.
Darling, you are safe" he said
he realized the term he
had used and a 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 coat and Ruth's
friends assisted her to make repairs.
The 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.
With western frankness he went at
once to the point.
Miss Harrison, ] wish to apologize
'or speaking as | did to you / have
known all along that you were to be-
come Frederic's wife ard | did not |
inow until l saw your danger how | |
owed you. Forgive mel wish you
md Frederic every joy"
For a moment Ruth did not answer,
md she said slowly: Il shall never |
marry your cousin. do not care for |
lin except as friend" She hesi- |
ated. Il too, made a discovery yes |
erday."
Poor Frederic was forgotten by them
10Th; the light of hope and happiness |
,ame into Guys eye, while he asked,
rying to speak calmly:
Can ] dare to ask what that dis
'overy was?"
Ruth lifted her gaze to his without
my OF her old timidity-and the an
wer must have been in her eyes. for
he spoke no word.