Ruby's Reward — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

TI declare, I did not think to ask much about the owner, I was so delighted with the place; but I be- lieve the housekeeper called him Mr, Edmunds, or something that sounded like that,” responded Mrs, Gordon, turning to look out of the window, to hide oe flush that arose to her cheek as she made this reply. She was playing a deep game, and guilt made her conscious and fearful of discovery. But Ruby was unsuspicious of trickery, and was really very glad of the prospect of getting out of the city so 800n. She had expected to be obliged to re- minain there until the last of June, but this arrange- ment would enable her to enjoy pure air and the delights of the country a month betore she had an- ticipated ; while, too, the place was 80 Dear the city that she could see Walter frequently, which would be a great comfort. And yet, even this anticipated pleasure had its drawback, for Mrs. Gordon’s manner of late had grown more and more repellent toward the young man. Several times Ruby had been upon the point of confessing the fact of her engagement to her, and insisting that she would not be thrown into Edmund eae society so much; but confident that she would be bitterly opposed, she could not bear a scene, * Moreover, Edmund’s recent threat had not been without its effect upon her, so she concluded to wait, at least until Walter should be taken into business with Mr. Conant, when he would be in a position to take her away from all such annoyances if it should seem necessary. Doubtless the reader suspects something of the plot that had been laid for the unwary Ruby. By in- direct questionings Mrs. Gordon had discovered that she didnot know where Edmund Carpenter’s residence was, Hehad spent but very little of his time there since his father’s death, and, for more than a year, it had been rented, furnished, to a gentleman from New York, while the young man had had his hachelor apartmeuts in the city. ;