For John's Sake Part 2

"Well, Ruthie, I'm glad of that, because if you're not too tired, I want a chat with you."

Too tired, indeed! When all the evening Ruth had been looking forward to that few minutes as her ample compensation for the disappointments and worries she had borne so patiently.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

CHAPTER III.

HOPES AND FEARS.

"HAVE you had a pleasant evening, John?" asked Ruth, after sitting for a minute or two in silence before the dying embers of the kitchen fire.

"Why, yes, dear, I believe so; but d.i.c.k put so many new ideas into my head that I didn't know how the time pa.s.sed," replied John, wondering how he should speak of his new plans to Ruth.

"What sort of ideas, John?"

"He's been talking of Australia, and saying there's no place like it for getting on in the world, and, of course, he's likely to know; and, Ruthie, dear, he said if I would go back with him, he'd put me in the way of making money, and getting a home ready for you in no time."

Ruth took her hand out of John's, and stared fixedly into the fire.

"Can't you say something, Ruth?" asked John, after waiting several minutes. Ruth breathed hard.

"What do you say, John? Do you want to go?"

"I don't want to leave you, darling, but if you'd promise to come out to me, I think it would be a good thing for both of us. I could get on so much better, and we could marry so much quicker than if I plodded on at the rate I'm going now."

"Then," said Ruth, looking up with a brave smile upon her white face, "you must go, John, and when you send for me I'll come out to you."

"Bless you, my dear, brave girl, you shall never repent your decision,"

cried John. "I'll work harder than ever, and we'll soon be together again, never to say good-bye."

But at that dread word, Ruth's composure gave way, and she hid her face.

"Don't take on so, Ruthie. It will only be a short separation, and we're bound to each other for life," said John, trying to soothe her.

"I've no fear in letting you go from me, John," answered Ruth, proudly, through her tears; "and after you're once gone, I shall look forward to seeing you again." And the lump in Ruth's throat was choked back, and she sat up with an air that was plainly intended to carry a warning to any rebellious tears that might threaten.

"And now, John, tell me about your brother. Is he like you?"

John laughed.

"I'm afraid you wouldn't think so, Ruthie, and I can't say Australia has much improved him. However, you must judge for yourself, for I shall take you to see him soon. He sent kind messages to you, and is anxious to make your acquaintance."

But d.i.c.k was soon dismissed from the conversation, for Ruth and John had much to talk over that was of far more interest even than a brother newly arrived from the other side of the world. Before they parted that night, John had succeeded in imparting to Ruth a little of his own enthusiasm in view of the new life he was about to enter upon, though her last thought before closing her weary eyes in sleep was: "Women feel so differently from men, and I must try and not discourage John by any of my fears, poor boy!"

A few days later she accompanied John to his home.

"d.i.c.k's out, my dear, but he'll be in directly, as he knew you were coming," said Mrs. Greenwood, affectionately greeting Ruth.

"He don't care to spend much of his time with his old father and mother, d.i.c.k don't," complained Mr. Greenwood.

"We can hardly expect he'd settle down to our quiet ways, father, such a boy for company as he is. John's different now, and he'll be sure to make a comfortable stay-at-home husband; but then he hasn't the go in him that my d.i.c.k has."

"He's quite sufficient, anyhow," said Ruth quickly, with an instinctive feeling of dislike towards the brother who she felt must be so different to John. Truly, as the door opened just then, and d.i.c.k's ungainly figure appeared, the contrast between the brothers was striking. Ruth's inward comment was not complimentary, but she struggled with herself, and when John said by way of introduction, "d.i.c.k, I've brought Ruthie to see you," she stretched out her hand with no hesitation of manner.

"Glad to see you, my la.s.s. Jack's a more knowing dog than I thought for, I declare," he exclaimed, looking at Ruth's sweet, upturned face with such coa.r.s.e approbation, that the girl's eyes fell under his scrutiny.

"Guess I may claim a brother's right a little beforehand," continued d.i.c.k, trying to draw Ruth to him.

Ruth's eyes flashed, and she started back indignantly, saying: "Indeed, you shall do no such thing, Mr. Richard."

"Come, come, d.i.c.k, Ruth isn't the girl to allow any liberty," interposed John, putting Ruth into a chair.

"Prudish, eh? Ah, well, colonial life will soon knock that rubbish out of her," returned d.i.c.k, in an unpleasant tone.

"So you're really bent on going as well, John?" asked his mother, anxiously.

"Well, yes, mother; Ruth says she'll come after me, and I quite agree with d.i.c.k in thinking I ought to be doing better for myself."

"It's hard to bring up children, and then see them go off to foreign parts so easily," murmured the poor mother.

"Why, mother, you've got Susan, and Tom, and Bess all settled near, and I'll come over and pay you a visit when I've made my fortune; and you may be sure I'll never forget the dear old folks at home;" and John laid his hand affectionately upon his mother's shoulder.

"I say, can't you stop your sentimental rubbish, and get to business?"

cried d.i.c.k.

The mother sighed, and knowing well what d.i.c.k would consider a necessary prelude and accompaniment to business arrangements, brought out a bottle of spirits, some hot water, and gla.s.ses.

"Come, my dear, I'll just mix you a gla.s.s, and we'll make up our quarrel and be friends," said d.i.c.k graciously to Ruth.

"Pray don't trouble, for I never take anything of the kind," replied Ruth, very stiffly.

"Mean to say that you belong to the teetotal set!"

"I do."

"Well, I'm glad Jack's got better sense than to follow your example,"

answered d.i.c.k; and from that time he treated Ruth with open disdain.

For John's sake she controlled herself, and sat beside him listening, with an aching heart, to the account of colonial life as d.i.c.k had known it; watching also, with a vague uneasiness and dread, John's frequent applications to the spirit with which his brother supplied him. If, in her presence, he so readily yielded to d.i.c.k's persuasion to take "just a drop more," what might be the consequence when he was far away from her, and completely under his brother's influence?