Ruby's Reward — page 101: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

y | So he smiled induigently when they arranged to go off upon little exoutsions by themselves, and he went to the mines, or over the farm, or down to the village with Mr Ruggles, who appeared to think it was all right, only he could not refrain from remarking once, with a quizzical glance at Ruby, that he ‘‘guessed there was one Philadelphia gallant who could make his place good after all.” Ruby blushed sosily at this shaft, but she shook her golden head at him, and retorted, with an arch glance at Walter : “That was very naughty of you, Mr Ruggles, when you know my inquisitive brother has monopolised all your time, and I should have fared hard if that same Philadelphia gallent had not taken pity on me.” Mr Ruggles only nodded a smiling re- turn to her for this repartee ; but he went away chuckling to himself, and murmuring that he guessed ‘pity had precious little to clo in the matter, any way.” The day before the Gordons were to re- turn home, Walter asked the farmer if he would trust him to drive his span-tho young couple had been using a single | buggy on their excursions—and allow him to take Ruby to see a beautiful natural bridge that spanned a mountain stream some twelve miles distant, ‘Yes, indeed,” the man replied, heartily, “T’d trust you with anything I have in the world, my boy ; and as J know the horses are gentle, and the roads safe, though steep in spots, you shall have them, and welcome. It’s a pretty trip,” aviadtady