Ruby's Reward — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

' “Jt ought to be sweetness and purity to fit your nature,” he returned in a tender tone. Then be added earnestly: ‘1 want to ask a great favour of you, if you will not consider me presumptuous.” _ That will depend upon the nature of the favour,” Ruby replied, smiling, yet wishing she were anywhere else. “ Will you put away that lily in water when you take it off, and give it to me the next tive I come ?” ‘¢ No, inde2d, 1 will not,” Ruby said, with a decided little shake of her head. ‘I am going to keep it as asouvenir of this even- ing, which ha3 been such a delightful one to me.” “Tam disappointed. Perbaps I ought to be, for presuming to ask so much ; but L |! am ging to see you so happy. Ruby, do- you know what would make me very happy-~” “Po bo more attentive to tho cnils and not make me miss the changes,” Ruby interrupted, at this critical moment, and holding out her hands to him as the order came to ‘* Balance and turn partners :” then the figure was finished, and an end thus pnt to Mr Carpenter’s soft speeches for that time. He tried to entice her away to the conservatory, but she excused herself, saying she must apeak with her brother, and so she managed to elude him. While she was talking with her brother, Walter came up to them. ‘J have no partner for the next numbor,” he said, with a wistful look. ‘Are you ongaged, Miss Gordon 2” She glanced at her card hastily. ‘* Numbor nineteen ; that is next the last. No, I am not engaged, and I will dance witb | you with pleasure, Mr Richardsotumieacts.com