mer and Jessup had been fast friends for years when these young people were born, and almost from the f

people into a better social class than the parents had any wish to occupy, and each had managed to

idens in that neighborhood, Ruth Jessup was the most beautiful; and what was equally important to him, even in his boyhood, the m

at, so long as more serious things lay in the distance. Brought up with those habits of strict obedience so commendable in the children of English parent

will sometimes happen, the very dash and insolence of his character had the charm of power for her; but since then the evil of his nature had d

he father on the subject so directly that Richard was put on a sort of probation after his escapade at the h

I had been his grandmother-what more can any reasonable man

elp the old father. When that is done there will always be a welcome for you; but my lass has no mother to guide her

ack your word?" questi

rry to see you on the back of the horse when he is well, for he is a fair hunter and worth money; but daughter Rut

ger any one," said Storms, with more concession than Jessup

me out of punishment. As if there were no other inn but 'The Two Ravens,' and no other lass worth making love to

rms had never been heard of at the "Two Ravens," and his name had begun t

gentleman, riding off into the country on business for his father. The people who met

me he was taken from the stable? Certain it is that Richard Storms rode him leisurely up the long hill and by the l

e was certain that one of its inmates had seen him, he turned from the road one day, left his hor

n a small wooden bench, with both arms uplifted and bare to the shoulders. E

e girl stooped down and looked thr

sh of color coming into her face and a sparkle of gladness in her eyes. If

e house, at which he laughed inly, and walked a little faster until a new mood came over her, and she stood shyly before

rch, "for another glass of water. You look cross, and would

it," answered the girl, turning her face defiantl

me too, I

in, you have been here before.

he swift blushes that swept that face, an

he said; "and this is a

ward the poor house she lived in, and each time with a swift pang at the heart; but she would ha

?" she said, afte

is hat and accepted th

ink. Some vague idea of a woman's dignity had found exaggerated development since that time in Judith's nature, and though she dipped the water from the bucket, and held it sparklin

lass and giving it back with a smile; "no view so beautiful as that which strikes the

shelves over it ever so high. I love to sit ther

u will show

foot-path is worn through the or

to-morrow, and you

rose in Ju

; "I shall hav

in this. Judith resented the time that had been

vividly of Ruth Jessup; for the same richness of complexion was there-the dark eyes and heavy tresses with that remarkable purple tinge that one sees but once or tw