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 soon after reaching home, his wife remarked, as he was beginning to force himself to believe the threatened storm was over, "John Bishop has spoken to Ruth in thy absence and she has accepted him."

"Ruth accepted him!" he exclaimed, rising suddenly from his chair; "then does she decline to return?"

"I have not heard her say, Matthew; but why should not John return with her? or perhaps she will marry him and not go. I am too much troubled of late to think or advise; thee must speak to Ruth."

"She is at Robert Pearson's, thee said; will she return to-night?"

"I think not. She said it was likely to be her last visit there, and she will stay as long as possible. Thee knows how attracted she is to Robert's daughters."

"It has been a grievous trial to me," replied Matthew, assuming what might be called his "meeting" voice, "that we ever permitted her to become so friendly there. Are there no young people of Ruth's age in the land except at Robert Pearson's?"