Ruby's Reward — page 228: what you’re looking at

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

“Tf she’s in the house, I'll have her here in less than tive minutes,” returned the energetic house- keeper; and she left the room immediately, deter- mined that her favorite should be gratified, and highly indignant at the treatment that he had re- ceived from Mrs. Gordon, to say nothing of the de- ception that had been practiced upou her. She went directly to Ruby's room, and found her there, looking flushed and sleepy, and preparing ta retire. Mrs. Gordon had waited until she thought Walter was well out of the way; then she went to the north veranda, awakened her sister, and, in a half-scold- ing, half-laughing way, made her getup and go di- rectly to Ler room. « “You naughty midget!” she said, kissing her softly, Sdon't you know that you are liable to geta shock- ing cold going to sleep out here while the dew is fall- ing? Come, Tshall have a doctor's bill to settle if you don’t goin immediately ;” and Ruby, all unsus- picious of any double de aling, and feeling very sleepy, ran up stairs, intent only upon getting to bed as 8000 as possible. She looked around surprised and a trifle startled, however, as Mrs. Coxon softly opened her door with- out knocking, “Mias Gordon,” she whispered, fearing that Mrs, Gordon night hear ler, “could you ome down to my sitting-room tor just a little while? Thavea very particular reason for asking, or I wouldn't haye disturbed you.” Ruby looked still more surprised at this strange request and the mystery attending it, but she saw thatthe woman was very much in earnest, and she replied, with cheerful readiness: “Cert ‘ainly, Mis. Coxon; if there is anything that I can do for you of course I will come. Just. wait a yea until I knot my hair up; l was getting it eady for the night.” 5 ae coiled it into a lec etn knot, row it with asilver arrow, and was ready t the housekeeper below. LontiicaealSiectnt