A Colonial Wooing
gather about Ruth and John, and there was naturally a babel of questioning and expressions of disapproval and regret. Ruth stood the ordeal wonderfully well, but John was much chagrined to find that he had unwittingly published what was in some measure a secret. But he did not deserve the blame he put upon himself. He had not been cautioned in any way, and then had not Robert referred to it in the fortune-telling? Besides, how was he, still a young man, and desperately in love, to keep wakeful guard forever on his tongue? He had called this very night to say a word or give a look that Ruth might interpret, for he had seen her pass near his shop that day on her way to Pearson's, and he knew she had not returned.
Robert Pearson looked troubled for the time, and then said, rather loudly, to show that he meant it for all, "When we see a great smoke there is likely to be some fire at the base of it, and so with Ruth. An old uncle has left her something, but all tied up in conditions, and so perhaps not worth going after. I for one won't let her go after
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