"You will; darling, you must," said Philip in a tone of faith and courage

that carried a thrill of determination--of command--along all her nerves.

Slowly Philip drew her back to life. Slowly she came back, as one

willing but well nigh helpless. It was new for Ruth to feel this

dependence on another's nature, to consciously draw strength of will from

the will of another. It was a new but a dear joy, to be lifted up and

carried back into the happy world, which was now all aglow with the light

of love; to be lifted and carried by the one she loved more than her own

life.

"Sweetheart," she said to Philip, "I would not have cared to come back

but for thy love."

"Not for thy profession?"

"Oh, thee may be glad enough of that some day, when thy coal bed is dug

out and thee and father are in the air again."

When Ruth was able to ride she was taken into the country, for the pure

air was necessary to her speedy recovery. The family went with her.

Philip could not be spared from her side, and Mr. Bolton had gone up to

Ilium to look into that wonderful coal mine and to make arrangements for

developing it, and bringing its wealth to market. Philip had insisted on

re-conveying the Ilium property to Mr. Bolton, retaining only the share

677

The Gilded Age