Ruby's Reward — page 231: what you’re looking at

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

“Yes, I did think we were remarkably fortunate ; but I know that some people prefer to have their houses kept open. Estelle said the arrangement was made chiefly to keep Mrs, Coxon from being lonely, and make her content to remain bere while the family was absent. She said also that the owner preterred to have us use his horses, as they needed the exercise.” “Have you any idea who the owner of this prop- erty is?’ Walter questioned, wondering to see how completely she had been hoonwinked. “Yes, Estelle said his name was—Edmunds, I be- lieve,” Ruby replied, thinking all this cross-question- ing a little strange. ‘Ruby, his name is—Edmund Carpenter !”’ CHAPTER XXIX, RUBY’S DHCISION. _ “Walter!” exclaimed the young girl, starting to -her feet, a look of consternation upon her lovely face, “Tt is true, my darling, Edmund Carpenter is the owner of this beautiful place, which was also my home for many yeurs, and now you can understand how Mrs. Coxon Pee to be an old friend. She was always very kind to me, and IT have been in the habit of visiting her occasionally since Edmund in- formed ine that|I had been a dependent long enough.” “And have you known that I was here ever since T first wrote you of our change?” Ruby asked. “Yes, I knew by your description of the place, and when I found that you were tnsuspicious and really believed the owner's name was Edmunds, I f ZT" 7 Apa ing Ae; y ¢ a ai that you were being deceiv ed for a pur