Ruby's Reward — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

could be very happy.” | “T know we could, Walter, and Tam willing to try and help you manage the thousand to the best ad- vantage, if you wish,’ Ruby answered, cheerfully and resolutely. “Darling, you are very brave, and we will think it over caretully before we decide. I should insist upon keeping a little maid, for I could not bear the thought of these dear hands doing rough, hard work.” The young man gathered them in his, and bending his head, touched them softly with his lips. ‘But the little maid must eat, and drink, and have some place to sleep, not to speak of what she would waste,” said Ruby, with an eye for economy. “Wemust have her all the same,” persisted her lover. ‘I should not dare to claim you otherwise, I. hope Iam not very selfish in proposing this; but something seems to tell me that there is no other way to relieve you of the persecutions to which you have been subjected. But, hark! hear that crash! And it is beginning torain, We are going to have a heavy shower, and I must get back to the city forthwith,” and the young man arose as lie spoke, | “You cannot go in the rain, Walter,’ Ruby said, anxionaly. * “Tam ufraid ought, If the shower should be a long one, I might not get home until very. late, and I have to leave on the early train to-morrow morning.” “T cannol let you go in the rain,’ Ruby persisted. “Tam sure that Mrs. Coxon can get you a bed, and then you can go in town as early us you choose in the morning. Come, I will ask her, and if she is agree- able, we will chat a while longer in her room,’ and the young girl gently drew him along the veranda oward the housekeeper’s sitting-room, th ard the housekeeper’s sitting-ro MRSS om