Ruby's Reward — page 293: what you’re looking at

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

tage ground until she was convinced that justice would be done, She went on to the dining-room, where she found Mrs. Gordon dawdling over a late breakfast, and look- ing as gloomy as the weather, while there were evi- dences that some one else had broken fast there that morning, “Tg Mr. Carpenter here yet ?” she asked, as she bade her sister good-imorning. “Yes; he said he had some important writing to do to-day, and begged the exclusive use of the library, which, being his own, one couldn’t well refuse, though it’s the coziest room in the house on sucha day as this. What a dreary morning!” Mrs, Gordon concluded, with a regretful sigh, a8 she viewed the descending torrents without. “Yes: and I am sorry enough, for I intended to ga to town again this morning. I wonder if Thomas wouldn't take me a8 itis?” Ruby said, wishfully. “Of course not, in such @ pouring rain. What can you be thinking of? It would be very imprudent, and you've nothing of importance to take you there.” “T wanted to go very much,”’ Ruby answered, with a grave, preoccupied air, and wondering how she could manage to see Mr. Conant, or Mr. Ruggles, or some one whom she could trust. 5 “Ah, good-morning, Miss Ruby,” said a voice be- hind her, and in a faintly sarcastic tone, she thought. “T regret your disappointment, but perhaps J could execute your commiasions, if you would intrust them to me, as I shall be going to the city by and by.” Ruby flushed slightly, but ahe replied composedly, as she helped herself to a slice of toast: “Thanks, Mr. Carpenter; but I am afraid that my dresstnaker would not aceept you aa my substitute.” “Oh, then itis merely the making of a dress that makes you 80 anxious to go into town, Limagined that it might be something of vital importance, you seemed so much in earnest about the matter: But surely, Miss Ruby, you can curb your vanity for a day or two, rather than brave such a [email protected]