Ruby's Reward — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

“Ob, there was an advertisement in this morning’s paper; I was attracted by it, and went iminediately to see if the place waa all that was promised. Tt scems that the owner lost all his family a few years ago, and has not cared to live there inuch since, though the place is beautifully kept up, and every- thing remains the same. But the housekeeper told me that it was too lonely for her master, who spent his summers traveling, and lived mostly in the city during the winters, But he told her that she might take two or three lady boarders for company this year if she liked. The idea pleused her, for she said she was lonely in the vreat louse ; hence the advyer- tisement, and our good lick, ; But will there be any one else there, Estelle? I wish we could be quiet. I believe Iam too tired to care about mingling with compuny,” Ruby said, lew ing back in her chair and closing her eyes weurily. Mrs. Gordon’s heart bounded. The question just suited her purpose. “No,” she anawered, “I stipulated that we should be by oursely es, and she scemed very willing when I | named the price | was willing to pay for that privi- lege, and I told her we should come on Saturday. I chose that day becuuse I knew you would be at lib- erty, and you would have two whole days to rest and gain a little strengthin the delightful place, betore enone the wearisome teac hin gy again on Mon- day.” “You were very thoughtful and kind, Estelle,” Ruby said, but wondering to see her sister so unusu- ally vivacious, ‘‘What is the housekeeper’s name ?" “Mrs. Coxon,’ said Mrs. Gordon, with a quick, searching glance into her sister’s face. “Mrs. Coxon!” Ruby repeated, trying to remember where she had heard the name, but failing to do so, for Walter seldom referred to his former hoine, and had only once or twice mentioned, in a casual way, the good woman's name. “Who is the owner isi ahe questioned, « comichooks.com