Ruby's Reward — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

and be under no obligation to him,” he said proudly. Mr Conant smiled slightly. He admired the young fellow’s sluck and independence, while he despised the meanness of the man who, with groat wealth at his command, evidently intended to turn adrift the boy whom his father had loved and_ befriended. ‘‘ Well,” he said after thinking awhile, “T do not know as I blame you, and I reckon wo con manage some way without his as- sistance. I clo not clearly see just how at this moment, but if you come to me again at this hour to-morrow, I think I shall be able to speak moro definitely regarding the matter.” Walter thanked him, and then took his leave, though it must be confessed it was with o heavy heart. | He was almost twenty years old, and he must spond a year Icarning & trade before he could hope to begin upon his chosen pro- fession. It seemed hard, and yet he did not waver in his resolution ; anything was preferable to the monotonous life that Edmund Carpenter had proposed to him. tle walked down to the public library, where he spent half an hour reading, and then took acarfor home, conicnastes. can