Year: 1872

By FRANK S. FINN.


1t was evening in the dull, dreary
month of November, that Ruth Stead
man sat at the table in the kitchen OF
her fathers house, in one of the New
States. Her eyes were wet
with tears, for it was but aweek
since she had followed her fathers
body to the grave. His death was
and was Overpowering to
every one, for he had always been re-
rugged and healthy.


He had been through great
amount of personal danger during his
lifetime, and had come out so un-
harmed that many supposed he bore
a charmed life. But, at last, he was
struck down at his supper table, and
carried to his bed, from which he
was never removed, until he was ia
ken thence corpse. Doctors pro.
nonnce it apopleXy, but there were
persons who believed that Thomas
Steadman came to his death by 10 fail
means, and thought it would not be
very difficult to point out the 'one
guilty of his death, but they kept il
to themselves from motives of policy
Why these persons had their misgiv.
ings it will be necessary for us to go
back a year in our story to explain.


Thomas Steadman was out sailing
on one of those rivers. with Il lengthy
name, when Il wild
storm arose. and he would doubtless
have found a grave in the dark wa,
tcrs had he not been rescued by 4
young man who was in another boat
and who saw what danger he was in
for Stcadman's boat had upset, and
he was struggling in the furious wa.
tiers. A strong and steady arm saved
him Just as he was going down for the
third time. 1t was Thomas nature
to treat every one well and especially
any one who had done him favor; sc
it is not to be wondered at that he
took an interest in his prcscrver, and
learning that he was an orphan, and
without a home, took him to his own
and did for him as if he were an OWL
child.


Mothcrless as was Ruth, she had
been obliged to study character keen
ly, and from the very moment that
Gerald Turner put his foot over tho
threshold Ofthe Stcadman farmhouse
she felt a dislike forhim. There was
something in his eye she did not like
it was as though the orbs belonged tc
some wild beast, eager to seize upol
its pray.


Perhaps the feeling was caused by
his appearing to her SO unlike anoth
er whom she had learned to love, ant
who she knew to be the soul Ofhonor
He was never known to say an idle
word, or do an act unbccoming ;
gentleman, although he was covered
in mere homespun cloth.


Had Author Whiting and Rutl
Stcadman been Italian lovers, the,
might have been more demonstrative
But in staid, sober New England, the.
do not pour out their love in sucl
passionate cloquence as do the na
tives of that sunny cline. Their love
however, was as deep and pure, ant
if any man loved truly, young far
mer whiting did Ruth Steadman, ant
until Gerald Turner became an in
mate. he knew no rival. Gerald wa
one who could easily ingratiate him
self into the good graces ofTh"na
Stcadman, and, little by little, Geral,
got what might be called the uppe
hand of him.


Atlength he proposed for Ruth
hand IN marriage, aud though refused
by the daughter, was accepted by tn
father, for he valued his shrewdness
and could not see the evil. Ruth tol,
them she was betrothcd to Arthu
Whiting, and to none other would sh
wed.


A stormy scene followed, for Ger
aid did not hesitate to make up nu
mcrOus calumnies against Whiting
and so incensed Steadman agains
him that he bid him never to step hi
foot inside his door again, and tolt
Ruth that If she would not consent t,
be the bride of Gerald, hc would dis
inherit her, make n new will, an,
leave all his property to the man h
had chosen for her future husband.
Perhaps he would have changed hi
mind if he had lived two days longer
but the same evening lawyer wa
called in, and business settled. Th
next night his death occurred.


When the will was made, it wa
found that the entire property wa
left to Gerald Turner, aud Ruth iat
nothing save her clothes she wore.


Like many devil before him, Ger
aid assumed the face Of charity, an
told the poor girl lie would allow he
to remain in the farmhouse wee
until she could find something to dc
while he took board for himself at


neighbours. He had not given owe
his suit, but tried iii every way t.
make her concent. But she refuse
to lsiten to his words Of love. A
she had no other roof under which t
seek shelter, she felt obliged t
remain until forced to leave the oil
| place. -,. e. r... - sa ...e,
| 1t lmd been raining all Of the da
on which our story opened, and sh


could see the river swelling and swe
ling.
| Such u storm had not been seen fu