Oh, Ruth! Oh, dear!" Mrs.Alwynn let her letters fall into her lap, and drew forth the colored pocket-handkerchief which she wore, in imitation of Mabel Thursby, stuck into the bodice of her gown, and at the ominous appearance of which Mr.Alwynn suddenly recollected a duty in the study and retreated.
With an unerring instinct Ruth flew to the musical-box and set it going, and then knelt down by the prostrate figure of her aunt, and administered what sympathy and consolation she could, to the "cheery" accompaniment of the "Buffalo Girls." "Never mind, dear Aunt Fanny.

Perhaps he will ask you again when you are better.

There will be other opportunities." "I always was unlucky," said Mrs.Alwynn, faintly.

"I had a swelled face up the Rhine on our honey-moon.

Things always happen like that with me.
At any rate,"-- after a pause--"there is _one_ thing.