CHAPTER X.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 210, 9 July 1887, Page 6

CHAPTER X.

nrnv's visit to ukdvillc. Wistkk passed, spring and summer likewise, and nothing of importance had occurred in the lives of the characters mentioned in our stoiy. Ruby (ioi don liad spent a week or two at Cape May, Saratoga, and one or two other fashionable summer resorts, where she had been greatly admired, ami whither bho hud been followed like a shadow by Edmund Carpenter, who was growing eveiy day more and more- fond of her. But the young man did not make muchheadway in her favour. Without appearing to do .so, or overstepping the bounds of. courtesy, she had avoided him whenever .she could, while her bearing toward hinn was far more reserved than of old. She had met Walter but two or three times since that evening when he came to> living her brother the plan-; of the new hou.se. and then only for a iew moments at a time ; but each meeting had served to deepen the favourable impression he had made upon her. The new hou«e was well under way when summer opened, and Ruby often longed to go out to see it ; bnt knowing that the young architect was there almost daily, to superintend some portions of the work, a feeling of delicacy and shyness kept her away. She went away about the middle of June, and the season wa^> one continual round of! rjayety and pleasure until the first of September, when she returned. But the weather was unusually warm ? I the days so hot, the nights so exceedingoppressive, that life in the city became intolerable, and Ruby wilted percep'ibly ; "We have made a mistake, Estelle, in coming home so early," she said one day to her lister, and then all at once she started up with animation. "I know what I will do; I will go to Redville for a little trip," she said, and seeking her brother, she interviewed him upon the subject, though Mrs Gordon laughed the project to soorn, >'(ro with me, Robert, M-ili you? You have offib'i wanted to visit a coal mine, and this will bd Such a good opportunity," she, pleaded. " Can you persuade Estelle to go ?" asked Mr Gordon. "No, Indeed," Ruby answered, witu & light laugh, "it would be altogether too humble and uninteresting a trip for her jesthetic tastes ; but she will not mind our going." " Yes, I will go," replied Mr Cordon; " it. will be just such a trip as \ should like ; themountaiu scenery fe e mie> -while I became Q'"t^ interested in that quaint old man Vnen he was here, and I would really like to> become better acquainted with him.'' So the brother and sister went away for another holiday among the mountains,, while Mrs Gordon flitted off to visit a friend in the country. Owen Ruggles was very much pleased to find that the beautiful girl, who had wons his heart by her kindness the previouswinter, and her polished brother should remember him with interest enough to corae* so far to see him, and he and his good wife ! bestirred themselves upon hospitality, intent) < to make their stay as enjoyable a. possible. ' They had sent word on befoio, stating when they should arrive, and j\l Ruggles was at the station to meet them >vhen the train stopped at Redville, his >onevoleno face shining with heartfelt p oasure, his small grey eyes gleaming with an honest welcome. He had come in a handsome carriage* with a noble pair of bay horses that anyonemight have been proud to drive, and Ruby thought there was certainly something of stylo about the turn-out, if there was not. about the man himsolf. " Ble^s my heart ! I'm downright glad tosee yon, sir," he said, shalri Mr Gordon heartily by tho hand. "An \<r too, mUs, %> tunvro to RuVv m d -eooiv* i? daintily j, l u\Oti nanri with almost aii ait c f reverence. "It is long since the oln hcus\i up yonder has known what it was to have a bright young face in it, and I know it'll do mother n heap of good to have you with us for a while. " Ruby knew he was thinking of the dausshte 1 ' whom he had so loved, by the "-..01 of his chin and the sudden reddening of his eyes. ' ' I have enjoyed every inch of the trip, **" üby answered. " The scenery s delignt*

(Continued from Pago C.)

ful, and, if you have plenty of time, Mr Kuffglos, I shall want you to show me all the" pi city spots about Redville." " You "shall go everywhere you want to. Dan and Tip'll take you twelve miles an hour for as many hours in the day as you'll care to go. T ain't oxactly a Philadelphy gallant, but I'll do the honours the best 1 know h,tw," Mr Uncles concluded, with a ronr.i- ii twinkle in his eyes. Kui\i laughed. ' l I '' n't know of a single Philadelphia u;ill. n{ (hat l"d bo willing to \\a\e take >ou> ] ii ice," she letorted archly, though befuie . (> .o week was out &ho might ha^o been willing- to modify that statement soinew hat. The man actually blushed w ith pleasure at her words, and remarked in a confidential a-i.V to Mr Gordon, " She's more like a di'mond than a ruby," a statement which amused her brother intensely. Arm ing at the farm, which was n thriftylookup estate with a wide, roomy, oldfa^luouod mansion, built upon a green knoll that looked like a carpet ot emerald %elvet, and whu 1\ was Miuounded by m.ignilieont oak- v, hene slu %1 ;.'o: inn aims were stretched foiih ai\>ve it as if in loving benediction, Mi- navies appeared in the doom a) io giei. t bv gne-ts. She w.is'.i pl.iii'.moth'Mly-looking woman, ha\inci Uiiid, da' k eje>, in which theie was a -'ui'L if t-a Itie-isi. Her hair was- white amwv. and dr.r.. n back from her blow in Miiou* '!, silken h uid.>. Tier ffce was rathei pfile. md had a earo-w oi n look, lmt theie v,b a 'jt-'itle .smile upon lier lips that v. on }\\A>\ - hi. art at once. She j( ped foiward and laid her aim ;ii\.';mi (hj \oung giil\ .shoulder <\- she ;di_\t«.d horn thee Uliage, while she looked i.i'iie uly into her face for a moment. Then -X -i ' >!'ed (loan ;uid ki.ssed her. ]mi> m'.v-osl in- antily >he seemed to feel as- i> -he had taken a ouvt liheity. A lni i _L -put of coloiir -<>ttled in either ehedc an-. -''•• view ha. k v, itli an apologetic .--Mil i\ing ■ "I\ .iino in" 1 , iv \ dear, but you look so -vvuiaud Unnbl* J couldn't help it, and \ouaiv -\ei\ v.A om. 1 tiotirliome.' 1 •' r'^nk'vu, Ar V- Rugbies," Riiby reliupo' l hcaiiily "You are very kind to j,'ii U ..>_ -,o i ni'!i\ti!\ : and v, liat a beautiful pla'-'-i. ;- ' "v' evu-o me, Mr.s Kugu;lt^, i,m' '( I n.e \u: educe 'ny bi other, Mr Goiilon.' -h 1 cmdaded, turning to thi.t gentlel'':. 1 .\ ' ov. a- quietly awaiting au iunoducl IV. ' I. '•1 h"pe T "-^a \ou well, si v ," Mid Mr* Ki. 'U^, \\iih heait) but old-fa -hionod v ,hil T.i i 'ie :"i !e! e 1, a^ a man carae to take the h<- - s '• -'ujipei i^ abo\-.t loady, but re hap* \ou .1 liCe ti oue v\ an I get u little vt die du-i. r iT rir-L " Pvul»i 5- lid she would, and the woman led bei up" <tair-> tD a laige, t.quaie chamber, vuth v. indow* o.cilooking a magniHcent \\e-tfr:i view tint made the young gnl exclaim, v. ith delight : '• Oh, Mi> liuggle-, v. hat wondeiful hill* —^har lonely alleys !" she ciied, mnning to the window and looking out. " What a ica-t \ou mtbt ha\e all the year xound." " La, child, I've lived here all my life, and I *uppo-e I'\o got *o used to it all that it does-n'tpejin ye.> giand to monow, though mo-i of people think it i\and idon'limagine I -houM be willing to Hxeanywhtie el-e tor a giear while at a t»imo. lt'^ hom> .'" " It niiht br^ be intitnl here in the winter v> 1 ". L\eiythm4 i- co\eied v. ith mio*\ . Ti o-< rail moant )!..^ t i n *t seem abno-i l'kj j.; 1 .a- in the temple of the Loul," Iti.by m.iiiu'e'l, wi.l" he; I'Vts i^ed in af",n< v , , 'j.vjnl pjii i uueed ga/c ujion the 'ii>,n \i ■ ii ■> "1 i'l biil-. Tin \ . >'i-"in i'ga ded hot w onderin^ly for a i o:r *ii aftei t'd-. reMient speech, and thfi> leawty, leaving her to enj<>\ tii; be t'.t'f'i ' i'ndistaii lied. I!"i «> !ude li(or the bound ni a b'dl aip',-i"! '.o.'fi'-mh'i .cvi.'i ie, and, ha-tei'i'»_, ti md- > --v.'o li cL chanuo in hei toilet, -i.t. .', is Jo,' n c.) s,i:<j )J| • lv \ ' *fop' p lui'l j' .nool tasted ',co la . d" 1 pi - -Mic i'i f jn b\ tiv hungiy tia'^tllei-^ jj t':. c«'Ol, •-! .ily diniiio-ioom oi the Hum..!' - num-'. <\ with the la-t K'V-i of t ! u -liIiml; mi ii at one ■window and ioiu' i .•. -,si M \ tt ] \ ■" i»>"!'o\v lathanee thein\iti i b\e ,vud iiwj h>-pp) gioup uatheied ; b „ ' - Such tender, lusciou.s biead, with golden, June butter ! Such peaches— great, \elb\v orim o.t - icaitei Ciawfou^ — petjjing tlu ).i_n >.heu iv • co i' ot -Joey cieam ! Si-t'i -' "i- and c; 'o ! . a :id, be-t of all, tlie c,\<\ *i h. j'^u n'l'v'i'ru,"!. .s'lfh a- her own uL-./'ilnioih r u-v. 'o n;a':e when she wa-> a i '. ,i I, liuby thought -he had r,u\ er i,i-. t i '"u oi". -i"d i lit; emphasi-ed Ik i comii. . n^ji'b^ J. ' ; fn'l jr. Ai(.o co rheiaany ;:.-,. d J^-'J-e:' .-'.ft.i i.vi »lr> i.-k'.-d Mr Hughes if s-he miv ' (~o( ~o (I 'd t)- 'G r ho co\\'- ivilked and tii Is ,< :. op in i# ) t'»>; -t i!»le and 1> >i n to -cj {]>( l.oi-j >;>nd of -i si,<,ek, and ker ho-t. Ufiiuh d \ uh th>' mtvi e~l -ho niiiiuN^ted in< < -^ihing .'•<».'■ her, di^j>laycd lii- p<»- - t m<;"-'o hih 'i v'.i'h no mjdl iinuunt ot p:'.' 1 ' v.hile Mi l.oiilim -al n^en tho \ t ,"', mi and f-n. >'' 5.1 '>ii-ciuar. ' iv i i'tii"(,t'v lo.dy liciO,'' ]\u!)j .-aid, ,'i- iiie_\ cimo 'M,l) i.iio.i hUe, doll \iiicre tit. ( wa-i an ■ i noin:<>ii.-, a])plc tree, and mi 1. ,n ,ith it a. \ ell, with it- ant'quah,d .i.d !x'',"s, v.kieh -he uJv d hoi i* ) i t \ i r 1 D -<iid ''own I'tto tho depths ior so.i>'. i'l he ii'yu'de), and when it caiac up, sp'iJ;hi>o i< .-1 (uippinr, slio imt lier led '•[ s toit- b- ;m; m and diajilc her fi 1. '' l' , i-^h,'' "-',, added, "J had c. me to Tl> 7 * illo eaily n. tho summer, instead of ".an' X'j C':<jv M i-'/au 1 tho-e other tiresome I' 1 '' 1 • '•hi vru, i \'iHy .'" her companion a-ked, ji-t.-ui'-ho' l '- \%'b r , i thought that Cape M,iv (.no of f,'i % giandest })laees in the ( oiui^t ' ! ' '•.So.j i-," R, 'by returned ; "it is altojri' i ! o f r'."-d, >nd I ';ot voj y tived with .i'l the f t-.hion and ceremony of tho }>lace. Ko\. , of. could ju-iti have a good, lo\\j time H} » ])' v<> , yen a s ; !ii;)l',' jnint dies- all day if on. . u'tfd f o, -md h.ive plenty of btiuty toiccr' one ey> ipon. The \ cry air, too, i- ;ik< -i.'cc mrr^ic t>li\ir, and s-ooiih to give ncv, liti.^irli o\'ii> bnath." " nov," -aid Mr Jvugfdes, a 1or)v of hiii'ii .iiHnv,l f^ v ith soraethinf; of.'ati^-l.i-tifii) -'nini'.j'i it 1 hi-, honest. <;/e~, "that i,'t|if r i _ats m ~i ' « thought all young folks blip' l ihvn f \vateiing-}>lace,-, with V,k>. dancing :rul d'e-ning and all othei 1- .1-v't -nX P'" l ,, bio, 3UIO ! it- you like it up h'jio cti \ 1 1 a-ia -i ;>ou H.i}', you shall come and -ia\ ii 5 long as\ou like "next summer, and i '_" r '-■> i" won!'! ?•">' t> of put t \ r-ow lifo into /^ to h<t,\oa b-i^..i- bi-co/y giii like you abu'.t 'he ho'i-o. ' '•TlmiiU y(/u, Mr l'ug.',le-< ; but take care thai you uvo not too piecipitate about gi\ iug your invifcation, or I may take you at your v.'Ohl fo y>c>r .sortov. ; better wait until w M r ed; in 'ip. i. uuiy Miako it too i \)>H"\' for y<va,"'liuby letoitcd, laughin;'l\. "I'm-.e.s not, and now wo must begin to thiiik about vh-ifc we'll do while you're heie. I'm afr.-sid it'll be a littlo dull for you w,ibh no young folks about, and of course I'll have to leave mother to entertain you ti hi Ie I show your 'brother about the mines.*' " You need not fear that f shall be dull, Mr llugglos, with all this about me," Rbuy dhswered, as her eye roved from peak to peak and her lovely face lighted up »iih CijtliUfai u-;n.

Then as she glanced towards the road and saw some one approaching she started and asked ; "Who is that? Are you going to hare more company V" "Eh," ejaculated bhe farmer, bending a surprised look upon the pedestrian, who was a tall, tinely-formed man, and who appeared to be coming directly towards the fiivm-houpe u ifch a strong, elastic tread and bearing a satchel " in his hand. "Why Ibices my heait 1 it does beat, all! but, if my .old eye* don't deceive mo, it's Walter himself !" (To he Continued.)