Ruby's Reward — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

“and I’m right glad you thought to take Miss Gordon to see the bridye. Porhaps Mr Gordon would like ta go along, too.” But that gentleman was more interested in coal-beds, and sinking of shafts, etc., than in natural bridges, and remarked that ho thought they would do very well without him. Mr Ruggles informed them, however, that a gentleman and his wife, who were visiting about a mile below them, were intending to make the same trip that day, and doubtless would be glad of company. So the young couple waited until the strangers made their appearance, and then went off with a basket of lunch, ‘such as,” Walter said, only good Mother Ruggles knew how to put up. Trhe day was perfection itself; the air pure and invigorating 3 and the horses sped over the mountain road ata spanking pace, as if realising that youth and vigour were be- hind them, and would not be content to jog along in any prosy fashion, Every mountain was gorgeous with antamnal colouring, for the foliage was at its height of splendour, Ruby was in ceslasies. **{ never betore saw so much heauty,” she eried, rapturously; ‘and I believe I will never go to a fashionable watering-place again, Nature is far more charming. 1 will goto the mountains, Their zrandeur impresses Ine as nothing else ever cid.” “Would you like to live among them always?” Walter asked. ‘No, I hardly think I should,’ she answered, thoughtfully, * I believe Ishould miss the advantages of city life. It must he very lonely here in the winter, when one would have to be shub away in the house a ereat deal of the time; but il ister" iee8