Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-12-29
CHAPTER VI.

Hugh Rodney had been away for
four months.
At first Doris missed him sadly,
watching eagerly for mail from him.
He wrote to her every day. In the
beginning his letters were a source of
excitement to the recipient
When the first came she read it
eagerly, then handed it toI Ruth
"It is wonderful to be loved like
that. isn't it?" the engaged girl COM
mented. Just see, Ruthie, what he
says. Love letters are certainly
mighty nice things to get"
Ruth shrank from the sheet of
paper thrust toward her.
"Oh, my dear" she protested you
must not show any one the letters
that Hugh writes you. They are
meant for your eyes only"
She had averted her gaze. for she
felt as if she would be taking that
which was not hers where she to
read what this man had written to
the woman he loved. But she could
not avoid seeing three words at the
top of the first page.
My own darling" she had read.
And then she had turned away with
a sensation of guilt.
Doris looked surprised. 81 declare.
Ruth" she complained, you are
queer! | have alway wanted to see a
real love letter, and here you get the
chance to read one and will not. / do
not think" with a little pout. that
you are very complimentary in re-
fusing the confidence l am willing to
repose in you
Il am sorry, my dear" Ruth said
that was not intended for me-"
We'll, you are queer anyway" her
sister reiterated. "Of course, l
would not let anyone but you and
mother see Hugh's letters. But [
cannot understand why you should
not look at them. If there was any
thing especially private in one of
them. l would not SHOW it, of course"
Especially private! Ruth reflected.
Hugh had addressed Doris as his
'own darling" and she had not felt
that the words were of too intimate
nature to display to anyone in all
the world. or course, her mother
would read them
Sentimental Delight.
This surmise was correct, and
Doris's love letters were a genuine
delight to the sentimental mother.
Once Ruth attempted to protest on
the subject
Mother" she ventured, do you
think it quite fair of you to see all
that Hugh writes to Doris?
Her parent regarded her blandly
certainly, if she is willing to have
me do so. l have never read more
Sweetly affectionate epistles. You
would not have Il young Girl keep
anything from her mother would
you"
al certainly would" Ruth ex-
claimed. And l believe that Hugh
would, too
You cannot understand the close
ness of the tie between Doris and
me-" Mrs. Courtney said with dig
nifty.
Ruth had wild impulse to laugh.
Her mothers sentimentality made it
impossible for her to appreciate that
Doris's love affairs were not to be
shared with her.
Yet, if Doris did not mind. She.
Ruth, had no right to object. But
If Doris really loved Hugh, could sne
take her engagement as such a
matter-offa affair?
The doubt assaIled the younger
girl often during the months that
followed. Summer came and slipped
away. The Courtneys went to the
Catskills for two months Hugh was
too busy at the factory to come home
his father said. He. himself went
out to Minneapolis in early Septem-
ber to see how matters were pro-
crossing. He reported that Hugh
was looking thin. but declared he felt
perfectly we'll
Sometimes Daniel Rodney would
talk to Ruth Courtney of his sons
prospects He liked Ruth and she
showed an intelligent interest in
everything pertaining to Hugh. The
father found Doris less interested. or
less capable of appreciating business
His Father Speaks.
81 have not urged the boy to re-
turn" Mr. Rodney said to Ruth one
evening when the sisters were dining
with Laura and himself. II want to
try him out-in every way he added.
lowering his voice and glancing
across TO where Laura and Doris were
You mean" Ruth began, then
stopped. flushing.
Yes. my child. I mean just that"
Daniel Rodney said bluntly. "You
are a sensible girl. so l do not mind
telling you what | have in mind.
IF Hugh is going to be my sue
cessor in the business. he must show
a determination to stick fast. If he
really loves the girl he is engaged
to. he will continue to love her in
spite of time and distance. Do you
get me-"
Yes" Ruth assented gravely, II
do. Perhaps you also think that this
will test the girl, too"
The man Redeemed slightly. This
child's intuition seemed almost un-
canny at times. But he answered
frankly:
"Yes. do. She is lovely girl,
and | belieye she cares for. my. sou.
1 am also convinced that my boy