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 the blazing fire on the hearth, and then, as a reason for still looking anywhere than at Ruth, knowing her searching eyes were upon him, he poked viciously at the burning sticks and caused a shower of sparks to rush up the wide chimney throat. Not until then could he command himself as thoroughly as he knew was necessary, for Ruth was an antagonist, on occasion, that he really feared. She had too frequently divined his thoughts and without apparent interference thwarted his plans.

"Is it not most unseemly, and before thy brothers, too, to cast a doubt upon my words and intentions? I have told thee an estate is at thy command upon conditions, and what more need thee know? Friend Stacy's letter has other matter that is for my eyes and not thine, and am I not standing in thy father's place?" he asked, with some show of emotion but with more of vexation.

"And perhaps not thinking what would have been my father's thoughts."

"Ruth, Ruth!" exclaimed her mother, with a deprecatory tone.