Chapter IX.
The Reply to the Letter.
Several weeks had passed since the arrival of Revell Stacy's letter with its important message to Ruth, but as a reasonable time had been granted for a decision in so important a matter, a final decision had not been reached, and the serious discussion of the subject from time to time postponed, although Matthew Watson was anxious to send a reply, and had improved every opportunity to impress both upon Ruth and her mother the desirability of the former accepting the property on the terms offered by her uncle Timothy, and "remember, Ruth, Revell Stacy does not say that thee can never return to the province."
"Thee has never read me the full text of his letter, and I should be allowed to judge of it by hearing or seeing it," Ruth replied.
Matthew's face flushed as he heard these insinuating words, and he looked steadily at
103
