Ruby's Reward — page 268: what you’re looking at

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

“Can I 2o to see him?” Ruby asked, though she flushed scarlet as she made the request. “Bless you, my dear young lady! of course you ay; and your presence will do our much-tried young friend a world of good, too. He feels the blow keen- ly, but if he finds that you still have faith in him, it will cheer him wonderfully.” Mr. Conant said he would accompany her, and they would go at once; and a half-hour later found them in Walter’s presence. When Mr. Conant appeared at the door of his room his face lighted with pleasure, but when that gentle- man stepped one side and Ruby went forward, his pale face grew crimson with mingled emotions, and he cried out, in a voice in which both pain and pleas- ure were mingled: “Ruby! you here J” “Yes, Walter,” she said, going to his side, as Mr, Conant slipped out of the room unobserved and elosed the dene: “Did you think I would remain away when you are in such trouble ?”’ “But I thought you were in Redville,” he faltered, as he took both her hands in his, bowing his face oon them, while hot tears sprang to his eyes; for it yas intensely humiliating to lis proud spirit to have bar see him there with the stigma of a felon resting upon him. “T have not heard from Mr. Ruggles,” she ex- plained. He looked up, surprised; then he grew stern. “There is something wrong in that!" he said. “YT have begun to think so, too,” Ruby answered, adding ; “put Iam glad now that I have been de- tained, and [ should not go under any circumstances while you are in trouble.” “You believe me innocent, dear, or you would not be here ?”? Walter questioned, in a low tone. “T know you are innocent, Walter. Nothing save your own confession would make me caine eV D booker enilty,” she answered, with unwaverine® be SohsSSitt