Ruby's Reward — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

almost like an intruder. Are you sure you did not say that out of mere politeness, Miss Gordon ?* Walter asked, smiling, but thrilling with delight at her words, ‘Quite sure. I never indulge in polite fictions,” Ruby gravely replied ; then she added, to change the subject: “ But, | please, Mr Richardson, tell me something about the new house. Is it going to be very, rery nice?” “Indeed it is. It will be one of the most elegant residences in all the suburbs.” And Walter entered at once upon an enthusiastic description of the new building that was highly entertaining to his fair companion. ‘(Ny Richardson, I believe you have a real love for your work. You seem to enter heart and soul into it,” she yvernarked, when at length he concluded : Tam enjoying my work very much this year. Last year it was rather hard, as I was engaged simply in learning the car- penter’s trade,” Walter returned, | © That must have been very hard. Was it necessary 7” Ruby inquired, ‘Yes, in order to acquire a thorough and practical knowledge of my business, ‘and I was determined to have that any- yway.” | “Vou were never used to such work, I am told, until after Mr Carpenter died. 1t seems a great pity that—matters could not. have been arranged differently for you,” | Ruby said, yet most afraid she had toughad ‘upon the topig she ought to have left. atone. “{Z do not think that 1 regret being obliged to work my way up in the world,” | \Walter replied, after a moment