Ruby's Reward — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

“You know, my darling, why I am here to-night; know that I have come to ask you a question, the answer to which will either make or mar my whole future life, and I must settle itat once. Imust have some assurance from you before I can be satifised. I do not need to tell you how dear you are to me, for I must have betrayed itin a thousand ways, and yet you are all the world tome. Ruby, do you love me? Will you sometime, when I am in a position to claim you, be my wife ?” Ruby Gordon was too sad, and the realities of life were too stern just then, for any prudish holding back, or for anything but a straightforward answer, She had known that she loved Walter for a long, long time, and she knew that nothing could comfort her now, in her sorrow and loneliness, so, much a3 the consciousness that the great, true heart of this noble young man was all her own, and that she could have it to lean upon in this trial and through all coming years. She lifted her grave, sweet face to his, but the look in his eyes was too much for ber, and her golden head drooped again, while the flush upon her cheek deepened, as she murmured: “You know that I love you,” He dropped her hand, and his arms were around her in an instant. “And the rest of it, Ruby—you will be my wife some time?’ he whispered. ““Y ea? Walter Richardson’s face grew luminous with the great love and happiness that thrilled him as he caught this low-breathed pledge, He drew ler gently toa sota, and, with his arms still clasping her, seated her beside him, and laid her bright head upon his breust. “My own darling, I may say it now,” he said. ‘*you have crowned my life with happiness. It is a sad time, I know, to talk to you of happiness, and yet, dearest, I trust Lis ~. unhappy inmy love. At all events, you sha ean upon my .giroterctue heart, and let me try to comfort you.” OHH ics!