Ruby's Reward — page 241: what you’re looking at

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

“Nonsense! Nobody an “dé happy who is poor; and, Ruby, you shall sever marry that paaper, Walter Richardson |” Mrs. Gordon byrst ont excitedly. “You shall never disgrace yoursel nor me by committing auch arash act.” * FY : “Tam trying to be patient with you, Estelle,” Rub; responded, with an effort at self-control at this out- burst; “but I find it very hard to listen to such un- just and uncourteous epithets, Iam pledged to Mr. Richardson, and [ shall marry him when the proper time comes. [am nearly twenty years of age, and old enough to judge tor myself in so important a matter, and I shall nottamely submit to any attempt at compulsion or interference on the part of any one. And now, once for all, I tell you that I shall not re- main in this house after this week, While I do stay, I will not see Kdmund Carpenter; if he calla by your invitation, [shall avoid him; and from this hour IL will ayail myself of nothing save what is absolutely necessary for health and comfort. I shall go to Red- ville the first of next week, or as soon as [ cau hear from Mrs. Ruggles, with youif you will go, without you if you persist in remaining here. This is my ultimatum; and, as it is getting late, I will not keep youup longer. Good-night, Estelle.” **Good-night,” responded Mrs. Gordon, in an of- fended tone, as her young sister turned to leave the room; but she sat up for another hour trying to plan some way by which she could still achieve her own ends. She was determined that Ruby should never marry Walter Richardson, if she could prevent it. She was aware that Edmund Carpenter intended to call the next morning to invite Ruby and herself to visit a point of interest several miles distant; but she knew well enough, too, that Ruby would refuse to go, while she feared that she might Ahn something of the spirit of the previous night to him; so she per- suaded her to go in town to do a little shopping tor her, in order to gain an uninterrupted interview with the obnoxious lover. é