Year: 1876

The afternoon set in cold and gloomy
nut inside, thanks to ROb's strong arm.
all was warm and bright. Old Rover
lay stretched out at full length before
the cosy fire, while Dot sang merrily in
his cage. How dare he sing % Ruth
thought, when she felt so down hearted
and sad She went to the window and
| looked out on the gloomy surroundjnga
but found no relief or comfort there
she turned away with sigh, and ont
OF little box In the closet she brought
forth some mysterious patterns and
dainty fine linen, and was soon busv
with the great problem of fitting topet6-
er these tiny little garments.
In the mean time Rob West drove as
rapidly as rough roads would permit IN
the station his mind filled with thoughts
OF Ruth and all she had said. Mavha
she was right in cenSuring him for con.
demning her to the dull and Iaborions
life OF farmers wife, when she might
have been the bride OF wealth. TIN
the words, Better get your life insur-
ed, II you are going to die" but per
haps it would be wise plan; and then.
II he ShCull die, Ruthe would have
something to live on.


Rob arrived at the station inst in ti,,o
for the train, and soon he was In the
busy city. After he had finished his
business, he entered a well.known Iifa
insurance 0flice, and presented his no.
oie lorh at the desk for policy, pay
aole at his death to Ruth. He found
no difficulty in securing what be sought
and, with deep sight of relief-for hs
knew not what-he placed It in hi.
breast pocket and started for home.


Poor little Ruthie /" Rob tbonobt
as he wended his way to the depot. "I
must be KIND and forgiving with her
Just now, expect she can't help BEING
nervous and irritable"


And at the same time, a way of in the
little cottage, Ruth was thinking ar
am sorry l treated Rob so badIy
WIN nave nice warm supper for him.
ana afterwards we will talk it all over -


llalt past seven, eight O'Clock. Oh
how the minute hand drags along The
little table was spread with a dainty M.
tie supper, the very things that Rob
liked best The bright fire sparkled a
welcome from the great wide chimney.
hoo'S comfortable armchair stood in
'he warmest corner, waiting to hold
something in its great strong arms but
still he tarried.


know he has had time to get here"
Ruth thought, as she opened the door
once more and peeped out into the dark
ness


some one is coming, but It isn't Rob
one, two, three lanterns. What can IL
mean Nearer and still nearer thew
come. Something vague and Uniformed
strikes chill to her throbbing heart.
lhey nave opened the gate, and ara
driving in. Who can it be ? She never
moves, but watches them with a stony
stare as they lift out a heavy burden
and pause at the door. She steD9 aside
and they enter and lay ROb's manpled
form on the snowy bed. Then. like a
fash, Ruth realizes what has bannened
aud with cry of agony that those rough
but kInd'hearted men will never forget,
she sprang to his side


. Rob, wake up It's little Ruthie
Don't You know me ? O Rob, have YOU
left me alone ?"


without struggle, Ruth sank down.
senSeless and cold. All night she Law
In deep stupor, and when morning
came a wee little life blossom was laid,
pale and cold, by it's fathers side, Manv
true hearted mourning friends followed
h0O'S form to its last resting place, talk
ing one with another how Rob's horse
had shled and thrown him over a high
bank, causing instant death.


Ruth came slowly back TO life and
bitter remorse. The little history of tho
past came sweeping back to memory,
with Roo's kind actions, and her way
wardness blending together to form a
most unwelcome picture. Oh, it was a
trying hour when the life insurance
came to light, adding worn.w wood to her
deep sorrow, stretching far out in the
wide, grand future, the sky bright with
expects tiOns, the kind hand and tender
heart of Rob at her command. With
such associations, it vas pleasant tn be
young. But TO have fallen from the
brightness and bloom of expectations
into desOlate waste of darkenss and
remorse the sky overcast with dark
clouds, which lOomed up between her and
the bright future, mountains high, to
wait, weary and trembling, for admission
at deaths door, with the words, " The
old must die, the young may die" fresh
IN her mind, and still be young, was in.
deed, bitter, bitter fate.


Ruth accepted Rob's gift that he gave
with his life, and with meek heart
used it as an aid TO her deeds Of charity,
with which she spent the time OF watt
ing for God to cali her away, ito mako
it up with Rob-"


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