THE DOUBLE ENGAGEMENT. Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis cottage. It was a beautiful evening in June—full of moonlight, star-light and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the beatings of each other’s hearts; and very likely they did, for they were sitting side by side in lover-like proximity. There was an indefinable but easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said as plainly as words could have told it: “We are engaged and are going to be married before many a day goes by.” “O, these perfect June evenings!” exclaimed Ruth in a voice of soft rapture. “But how swiftly they are flying! Only think of it, Ralph! a week from next Tuesday will be the Fourth of July! The dreadful, horrible Fourth! I heard the first shot today. It went straight through my heart. O, the fright and agony! How I wish it “Where shall we go to be rid of it, Ruth, and celebrate our own independence? To Star Lake, Moon Island or Canada?” “Never again to Canada, Ralph! I haven’t told you our experience there last year—that is, not all of it.” “You told me about the Bearington boys and the fireworks that were not funny.” “Yes, but I did not tell you the talk at the breakfast table before the fracas began. Papa begged me not to talk about it, but I feel as though I can tell you now, and will.” “Of course you can, and you will tell me everything,” laughed Ralph. “We are all one now, that makes a delightful difference.” But she had no sooner told him of Jordan’s joke at their expense than he exclaimed angrily: “Ridiculous defeat! O the brute! How I wish I had been there to answer him. He insulted you and the country at the same time.” “But you were not there, Ralph, and I don’t know but I’m glad of it; for there is something ridiculous about it. Only think of it, Ralph! Fighting for freedom—and then deliberately turning the day that commemorates it over to careless children and irresponsible criminals, and flying away from it as though a legion of devils were let loose! You see, Ralph, it hurt me more to think “You could have talked to me, if I had been there, to your heart’s content, you know you could, Ruth, and I would have talked to the insolent Colonel to my heart’s content. He must have had the epidermis of a rhinocerous or he would have known better.” “Papa had a long talk with him after the Bearingtons left. I don’t know what was said, but his manner changed entirely and for the worse—that is, I mean, he was more disagreeable to me than before—in a way—” “I understand,” said Ralph in a passion. “He pitied you and made love to you! The impudent rascal!” “Yes, Ralph; but I will say this to his credit. He had the good sense to retreat when he saw that his attentions were disagreeable.” “Humph!” said Ralph. Ruth knew that “humph” was a sign that his jealous wrath was effervescing and that she might continue to pour out the feelings which had been shut away from him for three distressful years. She had a whole heart full of them now. “Do you know, Ralph, I begin to think there’s no use of going away any more to get rid of the horrible Fourth. It goes with me or comes to me, wherever I go—this terrible monster to which my little brother was sacrificed. Every year counts “The Lord only knows, Ruth; but I mean to know something about the why and wherefore of the increase of the Independence Day death roll in this town. I have been looking it up and it is something appalling.” “O Ralph! Ralph! let us stay right here then and see if we can’t do something to prevent it—something to stay this cruel, cruel slaughter. It seems to me we might talk to the boys and watch over them and save now and then one at least.” “You are right, dear. We could do it if we could go to work hand in hand, with nobody to hold us back. It would be better and braver to stay here and wrestle with the monster than to try to hide away from it; and please God we will do it—after, you know when. We can’t hope to accomplish much if we go to work single-handed, eh? We will be doubly armed for it before another year comes around.” The hand that lay in his gave a quick pressure in response and he went on manfully: “O Ralph! Ralph! Tell me all about it! Tell me everything! I will work for it night and day. Bless you, Ralph. O, how good it is to hear you say that we can do something and will.” Ruth was fairly wild with joy. She kissed his hand and cheek and brow, over and over again with a fervor that was new to him and very, very delightful. The betrothal kiss was nothing in comparison. Compliments on her grace and beauty had failed to call forth any such expressions of love. “To begin with,” he said at last, “I have found out that we have more Independence Day accidents in this town than in any other town of its size in the state. What do you think the reason is?” “O! I know, Ralph. It’s because Millionaire Schwarmer comes every Fourth and distributes a carload of fireworks. I know it is; and I believe he gave Laurens the package that cost him his life, though he tried to make it appear that he did not. How does he know who he gives to when he is distributing his death-dealers right and left!” sobbed Ruth. “I believe it, Ralph. He has taken it into his stupid head to pat my shoulder and call me Miss Pretty when he sees me of late.” Ralph was furious again and threatened dire things. After he was sufficiently molified Ruth continued seriously: “O Ralph! Ralph! How can a man of mature years—a man like Mr. Schwarmer—put such dangerous things into a boy’s hands? If he were young and thoughtless and dazed by custom; but a man of his age and experience! How is it that this Independence Day saturnalia has been let to grow into such enormous proportions? If all the fiends of the lower regions had been employed to make a plan for the destruction of the youth of our land, they could not have done worse. Only think of it, Ralph, taking powder and dynamite, the most dangerous of all substances and making them into attractive forms for children to play with—play with as freely as though they “Yes, Ruth, and it does seem to be growing worse and worse every year—as though we were sinking down to the level of the brute. As though Satan had gotten a lease of a thousand years and was trying to see how many children he can destroy—yes, and young men, too; for there are the deadly games for the finish. Another century of such brutal sports and celebrations and there would not be a sound man left in the community. We would be as hideous as the brutal, battle-scarred Saracens. But I cannot think we shall have another century of it. The climax will come before that and there will be a turn in the right direction.” “What makes you think so, Ralph? As I see it we shall have no homes—sweet homes with happy healthy families. We shall have hospitals instead—hospitals and hospitals, full of the crazed, crippled, idiotic and beastly. If anything can be done to prevent this dire calamity, why don’t we begin at once.” There was silence for a few moments. The full moon sent its searching rays through the veranda vines. The stars twinkled brightly and a pair of eyes brighter than stars were looking into Ralph’s face appealingly. “Let us begin now, Ralph—this very Fourth “We will,” said Ralph in a voice of quiet determination. “You have given me an inspiration. The time is ripe for action. Our new President is a Golden Rule man. A professed follower of the original Golden Rule Mayor. He comes of the same good old Quaker stock. He sings the same songs. He has the Golden Rule in a frame of silver, ornamented with apples of gold, hung up in his office, and he practices that rule as nearly as any man can.” “Let us go and see him, Ralph; he will help us if he believes in that rule.” “Yes, Ruth, and if we can manage to steer our own Fourth of July craft so no one is hurt this year, we shall have done something that will make you happier than you have ever been since Lauren’s death; shall we not?” “Yes! A thousand times, yes, Ralph.” “One thing more, Ruth—one more sacrifice for the cause. Can you guess what it is?” “Tell me, Ralph! Tell me quickly.” “We must be married before that frightful Independence Day monster comes. We must be married at once.” “Go ask papa and mamma, Ralph. They are in the west room with Dr. Muelenberg. I know “A thousand if you like, Ruth.” “No, Ralph, only this one. Promise me that you will not promise them to take me abroad for a wedding trip.” “Remember,” she added, as she turned laughingly away, “if you do I will break the engagement.” |