Ruby's Reward — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

been to me during these last months; you have been a veritable sunbeam; Ido not believe I could ever have borne this heavy trial but for you,” Ruby began her teaching the following Monday, going to her work with a smiling face and a brave heart, though she well knew that she would meet trials in the way, She possessed a great deal of tact, however; there was a bright and winning way about her that could not fail to reach the hearts of her pupils, and, after a trial of a couple of weeks, Mr. Sampson, the prin- cipal of the school, predicted that she would make a very successful teacher, Meantime Mr. Gordon’s former elegant residence had been sold. After it had passed into the hands of his creditors, it was advertised for sale, either fur- nished or unfurnished, and, shortly, some one ap- peared who made an offer for the property just as it stood; it was accepted, and thus the beautiful place, in whieh so much of hope and pleasure had been cen- tered, passed into other hands. Mr. Gordon was glad to know that nothing would be changed; that the beautiful furnishings and adornments would not be scattered and sacrificed be- neath the auetioneer’s hammer, and he tried to ascer- tain who was the purchaser. But the gentleman who had transacted the busi- ness stated that he was merely an agent, and gaid he had been authorized to withhold the name of the owner until he should be ready to take possession, Edmund Carpenter called at the Gordon’s one even- ing soon after Ruby had entered upon her duties asa teacher. When the crash came he had at first held a little gloot; but he soon found that he loved Ruby Gordon ‘80 well, that the thirty thousand dollars that he once hoped to win with her were “but as dust in the balance,” and he soon resumed his attentions to her, There may have been something of ee ane too, in his persistence. He knew that Walter was rapidly rising in his profession; that itt WwW ene d SoH