Year: 1878

| though he knew she was hurt Dy MS cOlu-


ness, he knew that there was safety for them


both in no other way. So he had avoided


the pretty pleading eyes that now and then


he caught fastened on his averted face, as If


they were trying to probe his heart, and
| read the reason for his conduct. AS he


preached, he was free to watch the pure
sweet face that had grown to be infinitely
precious to him. He could talk to his
people better when he felt that every word
| that he spoke was eagerly caught by the one
for whose praise he so longed. Sometimes
her grandfather fingered for a moments
chat with him, and Ruth waited in the
| pew. Ahi how she had changed. Love had
wrought the Transformation, and the frank


beautiful girl whose clear, ringing voice had
arrested his attention that first Sunday was
now shy maiden, quiet, reserved, and yet
| oh, how lovely. How he longed to be free to
ask her to share his lot, to be his wife, to help
him to be worthy OF the name and station
that he assumed. But he dared not ever
press her hand; he could not linger by her
| for moments tender confidence, for he was
bound in honor to another, and his troth
was as sacred as a marriage VOW. Must he
keep that pledge? Marry when he did not
love, or Daring to be true, tell Margaret the
| truth, and leave all to her for her decision?
And then-would Ruth marry him if he
was to tell her the past? He almost prayed
that he would find Mr.. Allen alone, that he
would be spared the pain of an interview
with her, though he should plead haste to
4 obo ~ ~ af ha 1iu0
though she would have run to meet him
two months before, she now received him
with quiet, womanly dignity, Neither
grandpa nor grandma is at home, Brother
Arnold, but perhaps if you will sit down
| few moments they will come" 81 came TO
see you, Miss Ruth" "Me," and the
1 soft cheeks flushed, and her eyes
were yelled by 1.-The dropping lids.


ayes, the ladies of the church think it would


be good idea if we were to use the organ at


the regular services and they desire your
promise to act as organist before taking any


further steps. VIII you? They are await


ing your answer at the church. If you are


favorable l will speak to the official members


this evening at prayer meeting, and if moth


ing interferes l will appoint choir meeting


tomorrow evening. Do YOU consent?"


She was puzzled. ''If grandpa was here


he woZld tell me what to do. am afraid it


may make hard feelings, and / will be


blamed. / like music, but would rather


not have any than to have trouble. Can we


not wait until 1 ask grandpa II should


prefer an answer now" said Mr.. Arnold,


fearing that any delay would keep him


till after supper. 'What would you advise?


/ have no one else to ask" and she looked


up to him with trust and confidence. II


would say accept; l will take the conse-


quences. Now must go; have to return


and tell the ladies'" He was cold and


abrupt in his manner, and she felt it in


moment, and was silent. The pause was


awkward as he STOOD hat in hand, just at


the door. A geranium leaf and flower, fast


ened at her throat, loosened from the pin,


and iuttered to his feet. 81 stole those from


grandma; are they not pretty" "May ]


keep them" "0h, no; will gather you


fresh ones. Shall pin them on your coat?''


He bent low to let her fingers, trembling and


cold, perform the task. She tried to be COM


posed, but quivered from head to foot with


emotion. The glossy braids were so close,


the pure white forehead so near, that he could


no longer resist his love, and for an instant


clasping her to him he kissed her, and then,
without a word, like a frightened, guilty


wretch, sped away into the gathering twi-


light. Ruth did not move, but stood as if


rooted to the spot. She trusted him implic-


lily. A kiss like that meant love, then why
had he turned and fed from her so abruptly?
After awhile the hot tears came, and hope
and despair struggled for supremacy in the


iuttering heart.


Briefly he communicated to the ladies the


result of his errand, made some arrange


ments for the next evening, and then slowly


went to the home that had never seemed so


dreary as it did tonight. He hated himself,
he loathed himself, for the moments trans


gression, and there seemed no depths to his


self abasement. He knew that now had
come the crisis. He must explain to Ruth
his conduct, and that could only be done by
} telling her of Margaret, and he knew that
she would hate him when she knew all.
Perhaps if he was TO write to Miss Carlyle


she would release him, and then he could
} marry Ruth and be happy. But that seemed
dishonorabe, and he shrank from that with
pain and sadness


: A letter had come for him in his absence,


and he turned from the very sight of the
large, square envelope and the plain, bold
: writing. Like all OF Margsret's letters, this
| was brief, but for the first time she INDUCED
in tender epithets and protestations. She
cbided him playfully for his long delay in
3 writing to her, and begged him hence.
form to be more prompt. Are
you coming to see me next
week? 1 am counting even the
I hours until shall meet you. know you
smile, but it is the TRUTH for, Hugh dc
2 indeed love you; and if sometimes may
have vexed you, beg your pardon; l will dc
4 so no more; will be indeed better woman
Y | often wonder that YOU ever chose me for a