"Still,I do not feel that as yet we are sufficiently acquainted to render immediate matrimony either wise or desirable,and since the suddenness of your proposal has in a measure taken my breath away,I must beg that you will allow me a proper interval in which to consider the matter,and,in the meantime,think of me simply as your dearest friend.
"I may add,in conclusion,that your character and standing in the community are entirely satisfactory to me.Thanking you for the honour you have conferred upon me,believe me,Dear Sir,"Your sincere friend,"HEPSEY.""My!"exclaimed Hepsey,with overmastering pride;"ain't that beautiful!It's better than his'n,ain't it?""I wouldn't say that,"Ruth replied,with proper modesty,"but Ithink it will do."
"Yes'm.'Twill so.Your writin'ain't nothin'like Joe's,"she continued,scanning it closely,"but it's real pretty."Then a bright idea illuminated her countenance."Miss Thorne,if you'll write it out on the note paper with a pencil,I can go over it with the ink,and afterward,when it's dry,I'll rub out the pencil.It'll be my writin'then,but it'll look jest like yours.""All right,Hepsey."
She found it difficult to follow the lines closely,but at length achieved a respectable result."I'll take good care of it,"Hepsey said,wrapping the precious missive in a newspaper,"and this afternoon,when I get my work done up,I'll fix it.Joe'll be surprised,won't he?"Late in the evening,when Hepsey came to Ruth,worn with the unaccustomed labours of correspondence,and proudly displayed the nondescript epistle,she was compelled to admit that unless Joe had superhuman qualities he would indeed "be surprised."The next afternoon Ruth went down to Miss Ainslie's."You've been neglecting me,dear,"said that gentle soul,as she opened the door.
"I haven't meant to,"returned Ruth,conscience-stricken,as she remembered how long it had been since the gate of the old-fashioned garden had swung on its hinges for her.
A quiet happiness had settled down upon Ruth and the old perturbed spirit was gone,but Miss Ainslie was subtly different.
"I feel as if something was going to happen,"she said.
"Something nice?"
"I--don't know."The sweet face was troubled and there were fine lines about the mouth,such as Ruth had never seen there before.
"You're nervous,Miss Ainslie--it's my turn to scold now.""I never scolded you,did I deary?"
"You couldn't scold anybody--you're too sweet.You're not unhappy,are you,Miss Ainslie?""I?Why,no!Why should I be unhappy?"Her deep eyes were fixed upon Ruth.
"I--I didn't know,"Ruth answered,in confusion.
