Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-01

RUTH LISTENED A BIT SULLENLY
the belt line was worth three times as
much Ruth had paid for her entire
dress.
Sometimes Ruth went to see Evelyns
apartments big place. fitted with every
modern convenience and luxury, electric
lights, rich-toned wallpaper and wood
work that shone lin Ruth's fiat it was
scratched), oriental rugs. lovely pictures.
and furniture of rare wood and costly
tapestry. Evelyn regarded 1t Indifferent
ly. Sometimes Ruth was tempted to re-
mind her of the long hours behind the
ribbon counter. when she was glad to sit
upon a plain. cheap wooden chair. but she
didn't. She simply went home and grum-
bled to Tom because the landlord wouldn't
repaper the dim, ugly little pariOr. And
Tom reminded her that, considering the
transportation facilities and the neigh
borhood. they We're getting their fiat
cheap and the landlord wasn't inclined to
loosen his purse strings for extras.
Ruth listened a bit sullenly. Tom re-
scented the SullenneSs. and the atmOS-
phere was strained until they went to a
nickel show and laughed away the I'M
pleasantness. Evelyn went abroad and
was gone all summer. Ruth got back to
her former content. sewed. cooked. kept
the fiat shining and enjoyed life until
Evelyn came back. ran in to see her and
coaxed her over to look at her clothes.
Sometimes Ruth wondered why Evelyn
kept up the friendship. There was a sort
Of affection between them. but it was the
mild sort that change of circumstances
is apt 10 stunt. Evelyn went with an en-
tirely different set of people. She asked
Ruth TO her parties hut She made her
aware in the same breath that she hardly
expected her TO come. because her clothes
would not be suitable. Ruth never ac-
cepted the invitations. She would have
been very glad to let the friendship die
SO would Tom. He had always disliled
Evelyn.
But EVELYN would not let it die. She
took Ruth motoring, bought her luncheons
downtown when they met on shopping
tours and seemed to be very fond of her.
Then Ruths discomfort seethed again.
Her soft. red lips dropped peevishly. The
blue serge suit which she had just bought
seemed cheap. She told Tom irritably
that she was ashamed to wear it. Tom
said nothing. although his own suit was
almost too shiny to wear longer at the
store Then Ruth vetoed nickel shows
Tom didn't care to go alone, SO he yawn-
ed over the evening paper for several
weeks and then remarked that he guess
ed he'd step over to the cigar store and
watch til, IS play pool. if Ruth didn't
mind.
Ruth to-. him to go. but she minded
very much and was in a bad hunor for
two days. Then Evelyn came over again
to see her. Evelyn wore long fur coat
that she had brought back from Berlin
sealskin. trimmed with chinchilla. Ruth's
envious soul turned green within her.
And Evelyn wore II SO carelessly. Her
tOque matched the coat, and the dress
underneath was a sheer embroidered chif-
fon. Evelyn was on her way TO a recep-
ton and stopped in just for a few mo-
ments chat, 50 she said. Ruth won
dered II she stopped in merely to show
off her clothes.
That night Ruth told Tom plainly that
she was tired of genteelly starving to
death and going half naked. Ruth was
prone to exaggeration. Tom told her
shortly that he couldn't help it. He had
been promised a raise after Christmas.
"A dollar or two!' Ruth flung scorn-
fully across the supper table.
II suppose Tom conceded YEARLY
Honest, Ruth. l wish l could dress
you like Evelyn. But / can't. Maybe
l haven't any brains. l don't know
did not care. She was sullenly refurhish-
ing waist to wear to see Evelyn the
next day. and she hated tie shabby yoke
and the cheap lace that she was basting
over it.
She finished the waist scornfully in
spected IL. and without word went to
bed. At breakfast the next morning she
was grumpy" And Toms breakfast re-
f1ected her humor. The coffee was muddy
and tasteless. the oatmeal scorched and
the toast black. She set the dishes noisily
sallen. and left the fiat without a word
At IL o'clock Ruth entered EVELYN
lovely rooms. and for an hour half forgot
her ill temper in looking at the exquisite
stuff that Evelyn had accumulated since
the last call. But when they were put
away and Evelyn remarked airily, Ruth,
why did you make that waist with a yoke