Ruby's Reward — page 306: what you’re looking at

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

The rain seemed to come down almost in sheets, so that it was almost impossible for Ruby to dis- tinguish the names of the streets through which she passed. But at length the hack stopped before a plain house in a quiet street, with which she was un- familiar, The man sprang to the ground, ran up the granite steps, and rang a bell. A neatly dressed servant soon answered his eall, and he stood talking with her a moment, after which he entered the house. He was absent several minutes, and Ruby won- dered what could detain him so long. Presently he came out again, and opening the ear- riage door, he said: “Tt’s rather unfortunate, miss, but the gentleman has been suddenly taken sick, and don’t care to come outin the rain. He’s sorry to disappoint you, but he says would you just step up and see him for a min- ute; then I. am to drive you to some nice quiet hotel, or anywhere you choose, to stop for the night,” Ruby's face fell; she was bitterly disappointed, for she had made up her mind that she would be cozily settled in the hospitable farm-house at Redville be- fore night, and now it was evident that she must wait at least another day, or until the storm was over, if Mr. Ruggles was ill. But of course she would go up to see her kind friend; them she would send her trunk to the sta- tion, and go to spend the night with her friends, Florence and Annie Partridge. She alighted and passed into the house, the hack- man shielding her from the rain with an umbrella. A servant-girl met herin the hall with a pleasant smile, saying: “This way, if you please, miss,” and led her up stairs. The house was large, the halls and stairs richly carpeted, and there was an air of quiet elegance abouteverything that impressed Ruby. The girl led her up three flights, and she was nearly exhausted when she got to the teg.ehthelast one.