Ruby's Reward — page 183: what you’re looking at

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

“T understand,” said her brother, bitterly, “your friends were mostly fair-weather friends and. have forsaken you since misfortune has overtaken us.” “Not all of them, Robert, and perhaps, after all, it is better to know just who the true ones are. Some of the girls come to see me occasionally—Florence | and Annie are just as dear and kind as ever. They drove over this morning and took me out to Fair- mount. But I cannot afford to fritter away my time in any such fashion now. I am ‘afraid it was not quite right in those old days, but I was very thought- less. If Iam to bea teacher I shall be more useful, aud then I shall feel so proud with my money, If [ teach a year I shall earn four hundred dollars. ReaJ- ly, Robby, I begin to feel quite rich and consequen- tial with so much in prospect,” she concluded, with sparkling eyes, and assuming a pretty air of impor- tance. Mr. Gordon siniled in sympathy with her mood, in spite of the ache at his heart. “What are to be your duties, Ruby, if you take this position 7” be asked, after a brief pause. | “T am to assist Mr, Sampson in his own depart- ment, 80 I shall escape the responsibility of govern- ing. Iam to have the beginners in French, a class in English literature and one in botany and philoso- phy. You will not oppose me, Robert, let me try it for this year at any rate,’ the young girl eagerly pleaded. Again her brother was silent for several moments, struggling with his pride and love, | Then he gently kissed that beautiful upturned face, more beautiful than ever to him, with that light upon it and that earaest purpose shining in her eyes: “No, I will not oppose you,” he answered, though with a heavy sigh, ‘for your heart seems set upon the project, unless [I see you begin to look worn un- der it; in that case I shall veto it at once, I hope, however, by another year, to be so well started in business again, that there will be no excuse for your doing anything of the kind. Darling, y of know—you can never know what a comitetee eRe siny