Ruby's Reward — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

“Oh, Estelle, let them come,” Ruby pleaded. **Nhey are very nice, harmless people, and I will manage not to let them be conspicuous at the reception to annoy you with their rustic ways.” ‘Very well,” asserted Misttordon. But mind, I shall hold you to your promise. They will be your guests, and you must entertain them.” She was a woman who had a ereat rever- ence for gold, and she felt thal even the rustic Ruggles could be endured for a time, since they bade fair ta become, if they were not already, one of the wealthicst families in the State. Ruby was delighted at having gained her sister’s consent. She hnew it would bea red-letter day in their lives, so sho directed their invitation, and wrote a kind letter to send with it, in which she beyged them to come a week before the prand reception, and make them a little visit. She was quite diplomatic in this move- ment, for she thought ib would give her time to see that they were properly equipped for the occasion, so that her sister’s fastidious taste need not be offended, nor they rendered conspicuous mong their guests by any eccentricity of cosbuine. An answer came very shortly, accepling her invitation, and mentioning the day on which they would arrive in the city. One other favour Ruby had craved of her brother : but she did it with dropping lids and a flush upon her cheeks. | It was that he would send Walter a card for their house-warming. “You're too late, my pet,” he said, laughing, and patting the rosy cheek nearest him. ‘One has already gone to our fine young architect.” “Oh, thank you, Robert, for remember- ing him, I would not like to have him ne- giected. Jam sure it will be a rare plea- sure.” ‘“A rare pleasure to whom, petite?” quizzed her brother, with a twinkle in his éyég, comisbooks.com