Ruby's Reward — page 339: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XLIV. A BROKEN WINDOW, AND A STARTLING MESSAGE. Ruby, all this time, was leading a sad, weary | life, shut up in that strange house in the heart of the | city. | Every day she sat by her window eagerly watching for some one whom she knew and dared call to her aid. Several times she had thumped upon the panes to attract attention, but she was so high up that no one appeared to hear her; or,if they did, knowing something of the character of the occupants of that house, paid no heed. But this constant watching and the strain upon her nerves wore upon her. She grew thin, and pale, and heavy eyed; an anxious, care-worn expression took the place of the former bright and sparkling light that always had beamed upon her face. She had nothing to complain of as to treatment, peyond being denied her liberty, for she received eyery needful attention. Her food was nicely cooked and daintily served, the servant was kind and res- pectful; she had plenty of books and papers to read, while she would never have known that there was a patient in the house, it was so quiet and well or- dered. Twice during her imprisonment Edmund Car- penter had attempted to have an interview with her; but she seemed to know instinctively the moment he stood outside her door, when she would flee into her ehamber, lock the door, and not one word would she reply to his threats, commands, or CH{F2AN ESO