Ruby's Reward — page 272: what you’re looking at

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

He came just at dusk, and found his young friend sitting alone upon the veranda, musing sadly upon her troubles and her need of the strong help and ten- der care of her brother. Mrs. Gordon was up stairs in her own room. She kept out of Ruby’s way a8 much as possible, for she felt very uncomfortable in her presence, knowing how deeply she had wronged and was still wronving her; for she continued to play the invalid, since she feared, now that Walter was released, that Ruby would again insist upon going to Redville, She espied Mr. Ruggles’ dumpy, awkward figure rpoming up the avenue, and she wag sure that Ruby must have written a second time secretly—she had taken care that her first letter should never reach him—and he had now come to her at her request. Ruby sprang up to meet him with a glad cry, and clung to his hand as if realizing that at lust she had found a true friend and in him lay all power to pro- tect her. “Oh, Mr. Ruggles! how good of you! I was look- ing for a letter, but I did not think that you would come,” she cried, with almost a sob of relief, “Bless you, Miss Ruby! did you think I'd let the grass grow under iny feet when you were in trouble ¢ And if there’s anything that money or good will can do for you and that fine young chap of ours, why, L and my purse are both at your service,” he answered, heartily. Tears sprang to the young girl’s eyes. It was such a relief to have some one to rely upon in the midst of her perplexities that for a moment she was over- come. Butshe rallied and looked up at him with a smile, as she repeated ¢ “Tt is very good of you, and I appreciate your kind- ness more than I can tell you.” Then she added, ina lower tone: “If you are not too tired, will you come and walk with me alittle while? I want very much toa talk with you alone, without the fear of being overheard, and—TI should not feel safe anywhere about this house,” | He gave hera keen glance, and nodded his head once or twice as if he understood thut something was very wrong. He had telt so tromeqmichoteacan