Year: 1878

Taking her BY both arms l held
her off to look into her face.


"Ruth, you do love him? Dc
not deny it, for | see it in your
eyes! Why do you refuse him p


Then she spoke:


"Sadie, dear friend, let me tell
you my story, and that will ex,
plain why l cannot enter your
family as your brothers wife, and
your sister"


We sat down together on the
sofa, and as I held her hand she
told me her sad story. aer mother
had died, leaving her an infant, in
the care of d dissolute father, who,
while she was still q mere girl,
had committed q robbery, and
been imprisoned. Then she had
gone out into the world alone and
friendless, until she had found u
place in a large family to take
care of the young children. BY
strict seicGcnial she had saved
enough money to pay for her ed'
ucation at madame's, with the in.
tcntion of becoming a teacher
That was all.


Pressing my lips to her soft
checks, I said, impulsively:


"Why. Ruthie, is that the only
reason you refused Howard?"


"The only reason" she repeated,
sadly-"yes, and surely reason
enough. l." =


Here an unexpected interrupt
ton occurred.


The drapcries parted from an
alcQ7e near, and my brother
stepped into the room.


Ruth gave a little cry as she
saw him, Cob how noble he
looked y And we'll she might
for almost in a single instant her
slight figure was c!asped tightly
in his arms.


Then, regardless of me, he spoke
-reproachfully, but oh, so tender
ly! And Ruth just let herself
stay in bis strong arms, and did
not shrink when he lifted her face
to read his answer in her soulful
eyes. 1 stole away-they did not
heed me. At last [ had a sister,


Howard told papa all OF his
promised wife's story and the dear
old gentleman spoke, as l knew he
would, words of kindness and
counsel, and laid his hand in bless
ing on my Ruth's dark head.


So Ruth gave up her idea OF
going back to school, and we were
all as happy as happy could be-
This week we were to give a gar
den party, and all the young and
old of the neighborhood were in
vited. Some Of the older people
preferred to stay in the parlors,
and there papa brought Ruth, to
sing for them his favorite Scotch
airs. Of course, l was there too,
and Howard was not far off.


Ruth looked lovely that night
in her white dress, with creamy
rosebuds nesting, as if thoroughly
contented in Der bosom and hair. l
had meyer seen her wear any jew
elry before, and l noticed on her
round, white arm an elegant brace
let.


AS she sat there, the jeweleo
clasp of the bracelet on her arm
cleaned and caught the light, and
I saw old Judge Morris, my ia
theirs dearest friend, start vlo
lently and bend forward, looking
intently at the players arm looE
Of suppressed excitement was IN
his face, and after she had done
1 saw him 60 and speak aside te
Howard, awhile. Then they left
the room together.


The hours swiftly flew by, anc
it came time for the party to
break up.


The next. day Howard wen
away Con business he said) He
returned in a few days, and one
morning shortly after the bel
rang, and some one wished to SCI
Ruth i'm the library. Wondering
who it could be, and fearing she
knew not what Ruth went down
A time elapsed, and she came
back. AS she went to the toilet
table and took up the bracelet
lying there, l noticed tho strang'
expression her face wore.


ruth, what is it? What has
| hannened %