Ruby's Reward — page 189: what you’re looking at

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

gens Sa iccdaicneitan > he es * ial a GEE an SR re Se EN ee Se “There are a great many things in this world that add to and embellish it without being useless,’ he replied, in a low, earnest tone. “True; but they were created just for that and nothing more,” Ruby answered, seriously. ‘I do not believe that a human being has any right to degene- rate into a mere ornament—a pet or plaything—or to live simply for selfish pleasure. IT sometimes feel really glad that I have lost my fortune.” “Glad that you have lost your fortune!” Edmund Carpenter repeated, in astonishment. In his estimation, a8 in Mrs. Gordons, such a loss was the worst calamity that could overtake any one, “Yes; though, of course, I deeply regret all the trouble that it has entailed upon my brother. For one thing it has shown us who our true friends are, and it has shown me, too, that a lite devoted to fash- ion and gayety alone, is a very unworthy life.” “You are better fitted for fashion and g gayety than you are for the drudgery of life, Ruby,” said her com- panion, bending nearer her with a look on his face that made her very uncomfortable. “What do you call drudgery ?” she asked, drawing back and taking up another sock—one of her brother’s, in which there was a shocking hole, and through which three of her pretty pink fingers pr otruded most temptingly. “This,” eried the young man, capturing both hand and sock, while his face flushed a deep crimson. ‘Ruby, it isashame foryou to be doing such miserable work. My little darling, I can save you from every such ill in life—from these close, cramped rooms, from plodding toil aud monotonous teaching. I can give you every beautiful and pleasant thing on earth; L can make your life as fair and sweet as it was before your misfortune came upon you, Ilove you, Ruby, and I came here to-night resolved to ask you to give oe ee to yk? 4 ask ie to aye to be my wife, and let me shield you thr Qy future. Do not hide your face trom meus SDolot