Page:A Colonial Wooing.djvu/185

 "Ruth!"

"Is altogether mistaken."

Ruth was busy all the next day, and had scarcely time to do more than send word to John, without using a sheet of her cousin's note-book, that she hoped nothing would prevent his being present at meeting at her father's house on Fifth day morning, signing the note, with no little fluttering, "Thine, Ruth." For a long time she looked at those two words, which meant so much, so very much more than she perhaps realized; but could sorrow follow the fulness of such joy as now possessed her? She could not believe it. And then, looking, as usual, towards John's shop, she asked herself, When will the day come, and what of the "Pearson plot," as she called the long conversation with her cousin and John,—that "leap in the dark," what did it mean? But with all this strange medley of joy, doubt, and fear, she was trustful, and felt safe beyond all harm in the care of her cousin and of John.

"Mother," asked Ruth, "will meeting be