Ruby's Reward — page 225: what you’re looking at

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

“T presume she will soon return, will she not?" Walter asked, flushing beneath the woman's haughty look and manner. “Tam sure I cannot tell you,” Mrs, Gordon an- awered, indifferently, though she knew that Ruby was at that very moment lying asleep in the ham- mock on the north porch. Her last week of school had been very wearisome, ane she had just given herself up to rest since its ClOBE, Mrs, Gordon devoutly hoped that nothing would disturb ber until Walter should become wearied, with vaiting, and take his departure. Her patience was severely tried, however, for the young man was very loth to leave without seeing his betrothed, and remuined for more than an hour. But nine o'clock came, and still no Ruby. Mrs. Gordon betrayed both annoyance and nervous- ness, until at last the young man felt that common civility demanded him to relieve her of his presence. He, however, resolved to make one more effort to accomplish his purpose and inquired tor Mrs, Coxon, thinking that he could leave o note with her for Ruby, and thus arrange for another call. “Mrs, Coxon ia very busily engaged this evening,” Mrs, Gordon stated, ‘and I shall have to ask you to excuse me if I do not disturb her.” Walter bowed a silent aequiescence, and took his leave without further ado, while Mys. Gordon was very much elated at having so easily driven him from the fleld. But the young man was not so readily disposed of as she imagined. Instead of leaving the place he quietly slipped around to the servants’ door, rang the bell, and in- quired for Mrs, Coxon, ; She came to him at once, and was delighted to see lim, She drew him into her own little sitting-room, made him sit down, and eer par to ply him with numerous questions regarding himsell, ; is provress in his business. | chris. cl