Ruby's Reward — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

| | The largest and airiest room was al- lotted to Mrs Gordon, and was really a very dainty chamber when it was fur- nished. The little parlour was quietly elegant with its bright carpet, made “all over new” from an old axminster which had been upon the hall in their old house, and afterward used in the upper story in the new dwelling. There were delicate lace draperies, which had been taken from Ruby’s room, at the windows, and with ornaments that had belonged exvlusively to hor, and many pieces of fancy work which her own hands had wrought, the room was, as she said, as pretty as it could be. The dining-room was very plain, but clean and cheerful, Tho kitchen was smak but convenient and well stocked with all needful utensils, while Ruby’s own chamber and that of the one servant, whom her brother had insisted that they must have, were the simples in the house. kd But the young girl was quite content to have itso; for day by day she had seen her brother’s face lose some of its care- worn expression, as business matlers were ;straightencd and the home arrangements had been made without confusion or any outward display of regret, and she felt ag if she were really a help to him in this try- ing emergency. But it was hard when the day came for them to leave their beautiful home, where they had enjoyed so much, and fondly honed to spend their lives. oO)