The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-09-30

CHAPTER III.
TUGH rushed forward. something
- dragging desperately at his
courage. He was afraid, strong
man as he was afraid to look
For the second time In his life he had
witnessed horrible accident and, COM
Ing ON top of the talk he had Just had
with Ruth. the meaning seemed doubly
ofninous. Suddenly there came soft.
little daugh on the air, and then Ruth
laughed again.
Help me up. please" she said. smll-
ing into his white face. Please don't
look that way. I'm not bit hurt just
frightened"
THANK God" he said. unthinkingly.
a. he lifted her up carefully.
Ruth smiled through white lips. for
she was still faint, but she said softly:
Yes. thank God. and just as He saved
me will He surely save YOU"
Hugh ignored the significance of her
words apd asked almost curtly: t
Are you hurt? Areiyou sure you are
al right?'
Yes. am certain of 1t. The branches
Just brushed me little bit. Will you
let lie come again."
Hugh nodded none too graciously. He
had intended to bid this girl a curt good
by. and here he was conserving to see
her again.
In the days that followed, while judi
son was occupied with his mission of
saving souls. Ruth labored daily to save
the soul a man her father could not
reach. She stole often to the cabin in
the clearing to talk with Hugh. Once
she timidly asked him to come to one
Of the afternoon meetings.
Lee shook his head. ITS impossible"
he said brusquely.
Wont you please come? It's the
first favor I have asked of you." and
Hugh shook his head again. but not so
decidedly. He was beginning to.realize
family what this girl meant In his life.
And Ruth. too. felt this strange
magnetism. Once. when hi hand
touched hers. she trembled. and
her fooiishness. Her thoughts were not
ali rosy ones these days, either, for
Tom was beginning to worry her. she
could not help seeing his frequent meet
ter was what Ruth had feared would
happen to Tom had come to pass.
The foolishness and weakness In Tom
at first merely the reaction OIL youth
against restraint. had taken root deep
in his heart. and from desire he had
succumbed to temptation and was now
a pronounced poker player. All his nttle
savings went for Gsra Sso a5p a" tho bow
one afternoon Judson called the hoy
to him and confided an old leather wal
let TO his keeping,
"Tom." he said, unsuspcctingly. II
want YOU to 60 over to the town with
the funds the church has raised Tor the
mission. Take good care o OF th, sn pure;
for don't know what would happen IL
We lost the money.
Ruth was in the room when her father
spoke, but her thoughts were OF the
open air meeting they were wd to have
n Hugh would come.
When she entered the camp meeting
grounds, she looked about anxiously TOT
The deacon Joined her and forced her
into conversation.
On the afternoon of the camp meet.
ing Hugh Lee, too was thinking aooui
him to come. And he argued to hina-
self. until he finally found him
self walking along the road on the
way TO the meeting; I'D .,v.d
a smail portion OF the bench on her
left for the man she believed ~. So
certain was she that he would appear
that she hardly heard her father
roughly made pulpit. Lee. APP
proaching the meeting from the road
heard little OF what was said. either
80 eager was he 70 spy the one girl who
There's Hugh Lee, what do YOU
suppose he's doing here" Such re.
marks and others ether Of Dd,rd sse S sSms
Hugh hesitated in the back as though
making up his mind.
Ruth as though drawn to look abou!
her, turned suddenly and saw him. sno
il showed the way Ruth might look un
der other conditions. And Hugh. with
-. no other thought save to reach her
Judson was in the midst of his ser
mon now. The thoughts he was try
ing to express kindled his eyes with nrt
and lighted his rugged. stern coun
'enaH %ss W the iirst time Hugh Lee had
heard Ruth's father preach; Judson,i
creed did not appeal to him at az,
II wss mot %Stb the ts ssnsSin. ant
rs miracles. Judson was preaching o
the God who was revengeful. VIII
melted out punishment.
Judson finished his words with Drill
liant bit of oratory and then waited
moment for his words to take effect.
"And now" began Judson, IN low
thrilling voice. "let those among. yo
who have sinned come forward wa an ana mn
AS he spoke he let his eyes rest Of
Hugh, and the people about waite
breathlessly. A few OF them rose an
went forward. obviously moved by tn
preachers eloquence.
Ruth stole a glance at Hugh. 1t wa
an imploring little glance. half girlsf
half womanly, and Hugh felt Its appea
with all the manhood there was In him
AS though hooking his ready copver
eion, there flashed before his vision 1
girl praying before an open fire. A puff
OF wind. flame. and muffied scream
Hugh rose to his feet almost yiolen
with the struggle Of conflicting emo
lions.
When sh ne 3; sp0 Ss ss ALMOST Ss shouted
can't. I can't" And. turning, he rush
ed out of the meeting.
When the meeting broke up tina
afternoon many were the conjecture
about Hugh Lee. Ruth wanted TO stea