Ruby's Reward — page 370: what you’re looking at

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

“Tet us examine it,’”’ he said, evasively, for he had known something of Mr. Ruggles’ intentions, Ruby unfolded the paper and began to read. “Oh, dear,” she cried, laughing, “it is one of thoge puzzling legal documents, such as Robert used to have, and I never could make them out. ‘ake it, Walter, and explain it if you can,” Walter smiled, and gathered the slight figure of his wife close in his arms. “T can explain it, darling, without the document,” he said, ‘for Mr. Ruggles confided his plans to me some time ago. You know, dear, that our old triend has become immensely wealthy during the last few years.” “Yes, I know.” “T do not need to tell you, either, how fond of you he and his wife have both become; you reign supréme in their honest hearts ; and, last month, Mr. Ruggles made his will bequeathing everything, save one hundred thousand dollars, which goes to endow a certain,college in this State—to yon, if you survive both him and his wife. But that has nothing to do with the document he has just given you, that is simply a deed of this estate, conveying to Mrs. Ruby Richardson and her heirs forever this beautiful home and all that it contains.” Ruby looked amazed, ‘ “Simply a deed ot this estate,” she repeated, breath- lessly. “Whata gift! but I thought that they were going to live here ?” “No, that was only a kindly plan so that you might be married in your old home. Mr. Ruggles bought the place, intending from the first that you should eventually have it; but I doubt if they would ever be , content to break up the home where they have spent_ 80 INany years of their lives. Poor child! do youtee} so very much burdened with this gift?” Walter e¢on- eluded, smiling down upon her blank face, “T can hardly realize it,” Ruby said, yet ‘glancing fondly around the familiar, beautiful room. “Tt has been made Be eae se pees can ever take it from you; and’—with a mischievo sinile— “surely, you are not ‘emply handed’ no w somiebooksxsorm >> ta? Wk cole