Ruby's Reward — page 227: what you’re looking at

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

“T will tell you, my good friend,’ Walter said, con- fidentially; ‘Edmund has been very fond of Miss Ruby Gordon for a long time; twice he has proposed to hér and been rej jected. Mrs. Gordon fayors his suit because he is 04 and she wants her sister to marry well; but now for ay little secret, Mrs. Coxon —Ruby and I haye been engaged ever since her brother's death." “You engaged to that lovely girl, Mr. Walter?” cried Mrs. Coxon, with a glowing face. “Yes; but Miss Gordon did not wish it announced so soon after her bereavement; therefore we lave told no one of the fact. JI imagine that Edinund has feared something of the kind, ‘for he has threatened me, upon one or two occasions, if I interfered be- tween him and his plans regarding Miss Gordon. I came here, as I told you, to see her to-night; but Mrs. Gordon told me that she was out, and seemed determined that I should not meet her, I then in- quired for you, but was told that you were engaged and could not see me—” “Indeed, Mr. Walter, I should never be so busy that I couldn't stop for a few words with you,” the house- keeper interrupted, indignantly, “Of course, I know that was only an excuse to get me out of the way and to prevent my seeing Ruby.” Mrs. Coxon here arose with a deterinined alr, “Remain here tor afew minutes, Mr. Walter; IJ find Miss Gordon, and you shall see her, My! just to think of your being engaged to that sweet little body! She’s just like a bit of sunshine in the house, though I ean see that she’s often sad after her brother, and I know that she doesn't like Mr. Ea- mund very well, for she always runs away when he comes if she can." “Do you suppose you can find her, Mrs. Coxon? ee Walter asked, his face lighting ; “it IRENE BSE just for a few minutes, it would bea