Ruth's Ornaments

by Hattie Kyle

It was some months after Aunt Bolls had come to live with the Maynards in their village home. Aunt Bolls was a wealthy man’s widow, and was expected to leave her niece, Ruth Maynard, a handsome legacy. Ruth was arranging this lady’s dressing-room, when her mother entered with a look of importance on her face, and Aunt Bolls’ pompous form loomed close behind. 

“I have an invitation for you, Ruth,” cried Mrs. Maynard, trying her best not to appear too elated before Aunt Bolls, who regarded all their little affairs as something quite inferior to the fashionable doings to which she was accustomed, yet not beneath her notice, for her opinion was the law of the household, “An invitation from Mrs. Gledhill, who lives in New York now, and wants you to pay her daughter a visit.” 

“I can’t go, you know I can’t, mamma; I an’t fit.” 

“I’ve promised your mamma, Ruth,” struck in Aunt Bolls, “to give you a new silk; a black one will be most serviceable; and it is extremely desirable that you should go. Your mamma can get you anything else you need.” 

Ruth made a little grimace to herself over the serviceable black silk. She would much rather have had something light and pretty, and she was well aware that her mother’s purse would not cover much in the way of finery. But her mother’s anxious countenance reminded her to thank Aunt Bolls for her generous gift.  

“But, mother,” urged Ruth, “they are so fashionable there, and if I have one or two nice dresses I shall not be dressed like Agatha. I shall not have any—” 

“Any what?” asked Mrs. Maynard and her sister-in-law in concert. 

“Any jewelry, or—anything—” 

Ruth hesitated, for she knew it… Read More