Ruby's Reward — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

a a i It was like a solemn revelation to him, and made him feel as if he had been guiltily neglectful not to havo sought to know before more of her inner life. He feared that he had treated her too much asa child, 2 pet,e plaything, and thus starved her, when he should have fed her with strong met suit- able for a more fully developed naruré, But it was a new bond between them, and drew them nearer than ever to each other. He reached out his hand, and laid it gently on her shoulder, “Tt is well to set your standard high, dear,” he said, but we must not forget that everybody ix human, and we haye need to exercise toward others that charity which “covereth a multitude of sins,’ I will con- fe-s that I have been pleased with Mr Car- /penter’s preference for you, fur I have con- sidered him a worthy young man; ancif - inind, my pet. I would not influence you a feather’s weight -if he should find favour in your eyes, it would give me great satis- faction. Heis wealthy. He owns a beauti- ful estate not far from the city; and it would bea great comfort to me to have you so pleasantly settled, while thus, Ruby, L could always have vou near me.” “ Robert !” cried the young girl, with a startled crimson face, ‘I have never thought of anything like that. I am nob yet eighteen years old, and—-and——” ‘“«T know, cear, that you are very young, and under any other circumstances I would not have spoken so plainly. But I have eyes. Ican sce that Mr Carpenter will not be content to remain long in a state of single blessedness, if he can gain the prize that he covets, and so, Ruby, I have said tis thab you may not bé taken un- awares. 4 comebookss.com