Ruby's Reward — page 367: what you’re looking at

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

“What is that, dear?’ questioned Mrs, Gordon, searching the sweet, drooping face, earnestly. “That J must zo to him empty handed.” Her sister smiled. ‘Bless you, dear child!” she said, while tears welled up into her eyes, “you are far more precious ‘empty handed,’ than half the Philadelphia belles, with their great fortunes.” But Ruby Gordon was not destined to go to her lover empty handed, as we shall see. She and Mrs, Gordon, who seemed thoroughly changed, spent a couple of delightful weeks with Madam Howland, and then both went to Redville, for another month. The marriage had been set for the twenty-fourth of October, and Mr. Ruggles had insisted upon giving Ruby a grand wedding. “You are like another daughter to me,’ he said to her tenderly, one day, when the matter was being discussed, ‘‘and IT want you to grant me a father’s privilege in this. Motherand I are going down to take possession of our new house in the city, the first of September, and you shall be married from your old home, 1f—if you think you would like it.” “Oh, Mr. Ruggles!” cried Ruby, quick tears starting to her eyes, “‘thatis so kindofyou. Lshould like it of all things; and—if—Robert were only here,” she added, in a choking voice, ‘tit would almost seem as if I were really going to be at home again.”’ And so it was arranged, much to the satisfaction of all parties, aud Mr. Ruggles, taking Mrs. Gordon aside, for a confidential conference, remarked : “Tf we’re going to have this wedding in our new house, I want everything done up handsome, and I guess you know how to manage such things better ‘nm mother and Ido; soif yowll just take charge of the affair, i?ll be a relief to us, though ’/l take care of the ways ie means. Invite we cee ee and spend as much money as you like, and—don’t you Tet tharbicesed girl want for a single i ibibo co