The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-17
The EVENING STORY
Thanks for Two.
(By Joanna Single. }

and the heavier tones of the family
cook in housekeeping consultation.
She had just arranged some splendid
chrysanthemums to her satisfaction
when her mother called her.
JAMIE she said. your father and
are worried about Ruth. Do you
know what the trouble is? You've
noticed how thin and fretful she is
light. In the two days she has been
home she hasn't been herself at all.
sometimes a sister can get at things
better than a mother. I wouldn't ask
you to betray confidence, of course
but I'm anxious" Jennie, in her
elder daughter fashion, came to put
an arm about her pretty mother.
1--WE noticed-and she cries at
night when she thinks I'm asleep.
But she hasn't told me thing, and
worried. She's SO ofish, and declares
she's perfectly well. You don't sup
pose it could be about-Russell?
Since he's been at Harvard this year
written. I didn't say anything to you,
but last fall at Mans. Ruth did f1irt
awfully with Allan. and I could see
Russell was furious; but they both
went away in a few days, and I rath-
er forgot it. Don't worry, mother and
I'll try to find OUT
The older sister failed to find the
once sparkling, happy Ruth in her
room, or in the library, or anywhere
about the house. Finally going on an
errand to the sewing room on the
third floor, she heard a queer noise
and hastily opened the door. Ruth
lay full length on the rug, her face
hidden in her thin little hands, her
dark curling hair falling about her
crimson bathrobe. The slender figure
was shaking with sobs. She became
aware of her sister, who knelt beside
her. She went on crying.
xxriI1 1ry70 ~ vol
You'll make yourself ill-why, child,
you're burning with fever"
I'D like to be Dead mourned
Ruth. I'm so miserable and it isn't
thing a girl can talk about Do go
away
Us it about Russell? persisted
jamie. ct saw how he acted last fall.
Tell me, dearie. What's been going on
while you were at school. Does he
write to you?"
1--WE had an awful quarrel-after
Mans party. He was-horrible.'
ST suppose so-you acted with Allan
in a way to make him horrible, if he
cared. Ruth, none of US could make
why couldn't you come out and say
so? 1t was hardly fair, dear"
"That's just it!'' fared Ruth. sud
denly sitting upright on the rug. 1--WE
But, Janie-I'm ashamed to tell even
you. He never-asked me right out
to be engaged, and still he would not
let me out of his sight. And he acted
as if he owned me. I knew he was
jealous of Allan, and it came over me
that 1 had been SO devoted to Russell
that perhaps a little danger of losing
me would make nim-tell me he
loved me-if he did. 1 was tired of
being neither free nor engaged
wouldn't have gone to college at all
if had been sure" The girls
face burned with anger and shame.
s'Well, he wrote just one horrid little
note. know I acted scandalously
that highland his last night. too.
He was to take me home-and L went
with Allan right under his eyes. All
he said in the note was that he had
little self-respect-as well as heart
and that he would not be played with,
and when I wanted him would 1
please send for him! Imagine me
sending for him!"
jamie gave a soft little laugh before
she spoke.
wouldn't have dared be so rude. He
came home this morning-did you see
the paper? Perhaps he will come to
see you. OF course he will"
Ruth shook her head.
constance wrote me from Cam
bridge that he's been simply devoted
to that Sylvia White-simply devoted!
wish I didn't care-I despise my
self because I do-Tm sorry l came
tainly don't propose to make any
advances. If he does call, shall not
see I1irn-but he won't! oh. Janiei
do you think he will 2"
jamie rose and pulled her sister TO
her feet and drew her down to her
own room. =,
"Of course he willard you will
see him. The world knows how he's
been at your beck and call since you
were in kindergarten. And want
Won to take a hot bath, lie down
while and put on your rose colored
dress, for it's certain that some OF the
girls will be here before the after
Moons past. Do as I say-you'H feel
better lust for having talked it over.
And you are largely to blame, you
know
Jane coaxed the girl to do her bid
ding, and after her nap fastened her
had on her street things, and pre-
pared to go.
ruth, i've to do some errands for
mother. She is sleeping-she's tired
Would you mind answering the tele-
phone? There's nobody to do it until
I get back. Be good. And while I'm
gone think of the grand time you had
several others-suppose some one
wrote Russell about it. Did you
think of that?"
This was a new idea. Ruth had.
for ali her inward heart WEAKNESS,
at the coed college where she had
been so popular. She sat down in
big chair and closed her eyes. and
thought what dear sister jamie was,
and how comforting it had been to
speak the old trouble out But she
could never send for Russell-he
would have to come himself She
had not told jamie that she had
answered his note with a worse one,
saying that she didn't care whether
She ever SAW him AGAIN not. and