Ruby's Reward — page 179: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs Gordon was inconsolahle, and her husband looked old and broken, as he finally threw his arm about her and led her from the gorgeous drawing-room which had been her special pride, and where she had ‘reigned like a queen, out to the carriage that was to bear themaway to their humble residence in the city. Ruby, earlier in the day, had gone by herself into each room to take a final look ab everything, She would uot trust her- self with any one else, and she did not wish ‘to add a feather’s weight to the sorrow of others by any display of her own grief. She could not refrain, however, from having a quivt ery, particnlaly when she went into the conservalery. for that had been a perfect delight to her; but she was the brighter after her shower, and chatted metrily dwing their drive to the city, trying to bring something of cheerfulue.s to Mis Crordon’s woebegone face. But it was a thankless task, the woman would not be comforted, she would not see any bright side to the dark picture before her, nor clid see appear to realise that upon her devolved the duty of trying to make her future home a place of comfort and cheer to her overbu dened husband. She went into the pretty chamber, which Ruby had taken so much pains to prepare for her, without awoid of thanks or ap- preciation, and there she threw herself upon her bed and actually cried herself to sleep like a child, It would have been asad place inceed for Robert Cordon, but for the sunshine that Ruby carried everywhere with her cheerful presence, and thus the bond of love was cemented more closely than over between this devoted brother and sister. (Zc be Continuerl.) — omichaokes.com