Ruby's Reward — page 212: what you’re looking at

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

But he had no auch intention. He had known be- fore he came that he should not find Mrs. Gordon at home. It had been a little plot arranged between them, and he had come there to see Ruby alone, and with a special purpose in view. He laid his hat upon the table, and, drawing a chair near her, sat down while she resumed her seat upon the sofa. At first he pretended not to notice the evidences of her grief, but exerted himself to entertain her. He knew well how to do this, forhe was a thorough man of the world, and had plenty of society gossip at his tongue's end, But Ruby was not in a social frame of mind, and though she tried hard to be polite, it was evident ae she would have much preterred to be left to her- self. “Tt do not believe you are feeling well to-day, Miss Ruby,” Mr. Carpenter remarked, when, after a lull in the conversation, she sighed and glanced wearily at the clock upon the mantel. “Thave been working hardin school to-day, and the heat has given me a headache,” she answered, and then colored with vexation at herself tor having adinitted so much to him, “This teaching is too much for you. IT knew it would be, Ruby.” he remarked, with tender reproach, and searching her face earnestly. “Oh, no, 1 think not. I am not often troubled in this way,” she replied, trying to speak cheerfully, “It is,” he persisted. ‘“‘You are growing thin and pale. Such drudgery is not fit for such as you.” “T do not consider it drudgery, Mr. Carpenter,” Ruby auswered, quietly, anda trifle coldly, for she did not like his tone. “I havea very pleasant position and I enjoy my work ordinarily.” comicbooks.com