Ruby's Reward — page 210: what you’re looking at

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

But that powerful ally had been removed from his path, and he determined to make a bolder effort than ever; and, as soon as propriety would allow him ta do so, the wily lover sought an interview with the widow, made a confidante of her, and begged her to lend her aid in accomplishing his desigus. Mrs. Gordon at once resolved that Ruby should marry Edmund Carpenter and his million, if there was any power strong enough to induce her to do go. Consequently, Mr. Carpenter became a constant visitor in their handsome parlor, where he was al- ways received with great cordiality by Mrs. Gordon, and politely by Ruby. Walter also came occasionally, although his visits were looked upon with growing disfayor by Mrs, Gordon, who cowd not fail to perceive toward what they were tending, and yet not suspecting how far mutters had already progressed between the young couple. The lovers had resolved not to make any announce- meut of their engagement at present, on account of Ruby’s recent bereavement. Ruby had not even told her sister. She shrank from the confession, feeling that she might not receive much sympathy from her. She was quite sure of it when, after a time, she began to notice the celdness in her manner toward Walter whenever he dropped in to spend an evening with her. His visits were not nearly as frequent as Edimund Carpenter's, for three evenings of the week were ocsupied with his teaching, three more with extra work and study, so that it was rare for him to see Ruby more than once a week, unless ovcasion- ally, as he tried to do, he could steal a few minutes to walk with heras she returned from school; and these were golden moments, indeed, to the lovers. Thus the winter passed, and spring came around again; warm and sultry days began to warn city people that it was almost time to flit into the country, to the sea-ghore and mountains, and Ruby felt the tax which her unaccustomed labor and, ganfinement had imposed upon her strength,