RUTH’S CHOICE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue III, 21 July 1894, Page 71

RUTH’S CHOICE.

BY MURIEL. Holidays, holidays ! This was all the girls talked of, or dreamed of in Mrs Holton’s school just now, and perhaps none did or had a greater right to look forward with pleasant anticipations than Ruth Martin. She had had two letters within the last week, which was rather unusual, as the girls wrote their letters on Saturday and got them on Wednesday. But Ruth had got one on Tuesday and another on Thursday. When asked by the girls who they were from, and what about, she said they were secret letters, but they were from her mother, and it quickly spread round the school that Ruth Martin had a secret. She was one of the * little ones,’ as the elder young ladies called those in the classes below their own, but by her attention she had carried off two of the best prizes, and her mother had promised her that she might choose one of her schoolfellows to take home with her to 1 Hazelbank,’ the name of Ruth’s home. The girls were in a great state of excitement; they were all anxious to know whom Ruth was going to choose. ‘ I wonder who Ruth will take home with her,’ said Gerty Winter, one half holiday, as all the girls were sitting in the schoolroom. ‘ I daresay it will be Mabel,’ said Bessie Mardock. ‘ She has been going about with Ruth a good lately.’ ‘ Pooh,’ cried Marie Linton, ‘ do you think Ruth would take that little “ kid ?” Why, she is only eight years old. I shouldn’t wonder if she took me. If she doesn’t she won’t come to any more of my parties. I’ll tell ’ But here she was interrupted by Ruth coming in with a letter in her hand and her eyes dancing with joy. ‘ Is Caroline in here ?’ she asked. * No, but I’ll get her for you if you like,’ said Gerty, as she ran out of the room.

Caroline was an orphan, her parents having died in India. She had only an old grandmother who lived in Paris, but she was so ill that she sent Caroline to Mrs Holton’s school in England. Caroline was rather looked down upon by the rest of the girls as she was very poor. * Ah, here you are, Carrie dear,’ exclaimed Ruth, as Gerty returned with Caroline. * Come into the music-room while I run upstairs to tell Mrs Holton something.’

‘ Well, I never,’ cried Marie when Ruth had left the room, * if she isn’t going to be a friend to that impudent little brat, Caroline!’ * Perhaps she is going to take her home,’ said Meta. * Not she !’ exclaimed Bessie—‘ not if I know it.’ By this time Ruth was knocking at Mrs Holton’s door. * Come in,’ cried she. * Mrs Holton,’ said Ruth, as she went in, ‘ I have just had a letter from mother, and she says I may take Caroline home with me.’ * That will be very nice for Caroline, dear. She will be very pleased. Now you had better tell the girls ; they will be anxious to know.’ * Yes,’ said Ruth, * I will tell them now,’ and she ran off. * Girls,’ said Ruth, when she had shut the door,’ I thought you would like to know whom I have chosen to take home with me. I am sure you will all agree with me in my choice.’ Here she paused for breath ; the girls all held theirs. ‘lt is Caroline,’ she continued. ‘You see she would have to spend her holidays at school, so I chose her. ’ ‘ It will be very nice for her,’ said Bessie, though she was feeling cross. Marie could have cried with rage, and all the other girls were disappointed. ‘ Come along, Carrie, we will go and pack our things up,’ and the two girls ran out of the room. ‘ You are to put on this dress, Carrie ; mother sent me one just like it.’ The next morning Carrie and Ruth started on their journey, and we will now say good bye to them and let them enjoy their holidays alone.