Ruby's Reward — page 258: what you’re looking at

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

that she should marry Edmund Carpenter, that this might be a plot to entangle him and to ruin him in the eyes of the world, and thus blast every hope of ever winning Ruby for his wite. “Mra. Howland,” he said, lifting his troubled eyes and. meeting her gaze frankly. *what the officer has told you is true—I did pass the nightin Mr, Carpen- tex’s house a week ago last night. I went there to call upon Miss Ruby Gordon, the lady to whom [ am betrothed, and whois sister-in-law to Mrs. Gordon, who, it is asserted, has been robbed. A severe thun- der-storm: Game up while I was there, and I was pre- vailed upon to remain until morning. I left very early, as Mr. Carpenter’s residence is quite a dis- tance from the eity, and I wished to catch the early train for Chester in order to be on hand here when my men began their work, I did not leave my room after entering it untill left the house, and you can testify that I came directly hither, as that was the morning on which your accident occurred. More than all this,?? Walter added, with a disdainful look, ‘St is not Likely that I would be guilty of robbing the sister of the lady whom I hope to marry,’ “Of course not,”' replied madam; ‘‘and, Mr. Officer, what he says is all true; the train in which I was coming from St. Louis reached the station just about the time of his arrival here. I met with a severe ac- cident just after alighting from the ear, and he came at once to my assistance. He had not the slightest appearance of having done anything wrong then, nor since, for he has been coming here nearly every day, and I believe Il could vouch for his integrity under any circumstances.” “No doubt, madam, no doubt,” retuned the official, blandly, “and if will probably all come out right; butmy orders are imperative. I have a war- we forthe young man’s arrest, and Imust do my luty."’ ae he can be os pee Lage eT eat fed gible to any amount,” cried Madam Howla Ook- ing both excited and distressed. edinebbosts.Coun