Ruby's Reward — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XVI. A CALL AND ITS RESULT, Wattmn’s second weck soon slipped away, and he returned to his business with a heart full of courage and resolution, He had served two years under Mr Con- aut, and had done excellent work, so that gentleman told him—work which, though it mizht have seemcd more like drudgery to him, he would never egret. And now he was to serve two years more in the office and in learning how to manage con- tracts, ata salary which would be gauged according to the progress he made. After that he would be ready to go into business for himself, if he should feel so disposed. Myr Conant felt that he had secured a genius in Walter, for he proved to be peen- Jiarly adapted to the business, He was often aurpiised by the apt and valuable suggestions which he made regarding diflt- eult and intricate plans, while he certainly possessed excellent taste and judgment. Walter availed himseif of Mr Cordon’s invitation to call not long after his return, and he was most cordially received by all the members af the family, although his pleasure was shortly interrupted by the en- trance of Edmund Carpenter, who had re- newed his visits and attentions to Ruby immediately upon discovering thut she was in the city. Young Carpenter was evidently anything but pleased to find Walter a visitor in that house, and greetad him coldly, while an_ unmistakeable frown setticd upon his brow at what he considered hig impertinent as- surance for daring to be upon such familiar terms with people so far above hiemaasiadagn