Ruby's Reward — page 214: what you’re looking at

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

you must have known there was no hope of any re- | ter, as well as what is due to me,’’ she replied, grow- ing pale now, and speaking with some haughtiness. “Tam very sorry—no one ¢an regret more than I do that you should have allowed yourself to entertain and euconrage such sentiments toward me, when turn. What I told you early in the winter I can | only repeat now—I do not love you, aud T can never. be your wife. I never can give you any other an- | swer, so pray do not repeat this painful interview ever again.” Edmund Carpenter had also grown yery pale while she was speaking, for there was no mistaking the un- alterable decision which both her words and manner conveyed, and there had come au expression upon his face that might have startled ler had she inter- preted it rightly, | “Do you ever expect to marry auybody, Miss Gor- don?” he asked, speaking in a repressed tone. | She glanced at him, surprised at the question. “T_presuine 80; most girls marry sooner or later,” she said, speaking ina veneral way, yet coloring consciously, notwithstanding, “Well, then, let me tell you one thing, It will bea dangerous thing for any other man to win you,” he said, through his tightly shut teeth. Ruby’s slight form became suddenly very erect. A red spot of anger burned upon either cheek. “Do you presume to /hieu/en me simply because I do not choose to marry yout’ she demanded, in a haughty tone. “No, not you, my beautiful darling, but the man who wins you. Let him beware of ny deadly hatred; for, as sure as we both live, | will have my revenge upon him!” tuby rose again. She seemed to grow tall in her wrath and scorn. Her lips curled, Her AGN GBS OR: trils quivered, her beautiful eyes blazed: