Ruby's Reward — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

Ittrle while that she wus fo live; but I trust—yes, IT know, Wot Lbrghbrened her Inst hours by promising to care for you as tepderly 45 If you were my own 80m, LT have Urled to keep that promise fo the letter, my boy.” vAnd you bave, Uncle Rolph,” the young man tnter- rupted, With deep emotion, ‘No father could have been more falthfial and kind to me than you have been. I have often wondered why you were 6o gentle and kind to me, abd pow 1 understand if: it was for my mother’s sake— beacause you loved her." “Yes, [loved herfar tao. well for my own peace of tajnd, for I never forgot her, nor ceased to long for the lender love which I knew she would have given me, Perhaps it Is weak tn me ( confess s0 much; but wealth ond Tashion do not always contribute to the highest happiness of home; remember that, Walter, when you choose your wite, as you wlll do one of these days. But it has nob been wholly tor your mothers aake that T have loved and cared for you; it hax been for your own aswell. You havealways been a good and dubttul boy. You Lave been A great comfort to me, and I have taken great pride In watching you develop. Bub I must not dwell upon the past for Lhere ure other things which 1 wish to talk to you about, Your mother wished ms to tell you something when you should become of aga; but first ] want to speak about your pliius for the futnre. Just before you entered college you sald something About W profession.” “Yes, Uncle Ralph, I have always wanted to be an architect: and after I graduated from the academy, 1 felt as lf 1 ought to begin to do something for myselt; but you appeared so set spon ny gomg to college that Tfpally ylelded the polnt.” “Or course it was best that you should haye a oolle- ginte education, and I knew there would de time enough for . profession ater that. You have two years more at gollage, and Walter, it Is ae wish that you complete them. Afber that you sb be Bo arebitect, or any- thing else that you choose, I have made ample pro- vislon for you; flere will be abundant means—tor you— to do Whatever—you like. Al! ol !—wiiat Is this 7” \ The Invalid stopped, gasped, clutched at his throat, ond grew ghastly white, and then suddenly Jost con- SHIOURAUNA The watcher Ab his bodslde sprang LOgh stat. aye rune Lhe bell « furlous peal,