Ruby's Reward — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

are kind and noble; you have energy and ambition, a brave, true heart, and, besides all this, an untuar- nished name and character. No man should feel ‘poor’ with such manly attributes, and any woman should feel proud to vive her love to such a man.” Walter’s face kindled, and, bending forward, he kissed the lips that had uttered such noble words, “Ts that your feeling toward me, Ruby?” he asked, “Yes, Walter; Tam very proud of you, and a “Well, dear, tell me all; my heart it hungry for it,” he pleaded, as she stopped and blushed. “And I have been very fond of you for a long, long time,” she confessed, with drooping lids. “How long, Ruby?’ “Ever since that first summer at Redville; [am not quite sure but it began that evening when we sat beside the pretty spring in the pasture near Mr, Ruggles’ house; but Iam very sere L found it out that day when I found myself slipping over that hor- vible precipice from the natural bridge, and thought I was looking my last on your faee. But you saved me, and somehow, ever since, I haye had a feeling that I belonged to you.” Walter’s heart leaped within him with joy as he listened to thig confession, and he drew the slight form of his beloved closer within his embrace. “Thave been far richer than I dreamed if I have had the gift of your dear love so long,” he said, ten- derly. Then he added: ‘But, Ruby, my love isa good deal older than yours.” She lifted questioning eyes to him. “Tt was born on that day when you and I both took the car on the corner by your brother’s house, Just think,” he said, smiling, ‘I saved you from a fall, and in return you stole my heart.” : “Well, since you have succeeded in arresting the thief, I do not believe _" loss tate eel Ruby returned, with a little gleam of her o AS: 7, that cheered her lover immensely. ColthGEAB ohn