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 what else can I do, as he is urgent, and mother—" And here again Ruth's voice trembled too much to speak further.

"Come, come, Ruth, don't bother about it." And, quickening his steps, Robert looked about him and said, "I believe it is going to snow."

The sky was then overcast with one dull leaden cloud, and by the time they had crossed the creek and were following the winding path through the oak woods on the creek's north shore feathery flakes began to fall. Faster and faster they came, so that the air was filled with them when Ruth and her cousin reached the Pearson house.

Robert had not announced their coming, as he had proposed, and, stopping a moment at the gate before they entered the little kitchen door-yard, said, "Ruth, do not speak of this letter from England to the folks here, please, and let me think the matter over for you. There may be something behind it all you know nothing about."

"Why, cousin, what do you mean?" asked Ruth, with a puzzled look.