Ruby's Reward — page 269: what you’re looking at

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

“But it galls me almost beyond endurance that you | should see me in such a place as this,” the young lnan said, with a note of bitterness in his voice. “Of course it is very trving to you to be here; but the place cannot harm you so long as you are 1mno0- cent,” Ruby said, looking up into his face, with a cheering smile. “Bless you, my darling!” he returned, bending over her and drawing her to him for an instant. ‘I cer- tainly ought to take courage when I have such faith- ful adherents as you and Myr. Conant have proved yourselves to be.” “You must not lose courage, Walter. Mr, Conant says you cannot be convicted unless the stolen prop- erty is found in your possession, or some one can prove that you took it,” “That is true; but I am afraid that there is more to this affair than appears upon the surface,’ Walter re- plied, thoughtfully. : “What do you mean ?” Ruby inquired, in a startled voice, “Tam afraid it is part of a vile plot to ruin me, and to separate us; and if thatis the case, Edmund Car- penter will leave no stone unturned to accomplish his purpose,” “J have some such suspicion myself,’ Ruby said, lifting a white face to her lover. ‘*But do you think that ie has taken Estelle’s money and diamonds, and is going to try to make it appear that you are the eriminal ?’ “TLecannot help fearing so, Iam afraid he knew that I was at his house during that Sunday night, and he planned this thing; you know he has threat- ened me several times.” “Yos,” Ruby answered, looking grave, as she re- ease Beet what Edmund Car eo had said to her about its being a *dangerous thing for any ipan fo win her, for he would surely be revenged aOR Sonn