Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-31

Of the situation was trembling into mirth
Finally she laughed.
"Ail right, Alloe-make scarecrow OF
me II you want to. I'll do as you say
and n I don't make an impression on
| some man IL won't be your fault.
Alice went or smilingly to get her
| evening dress and slippers for her guest.
Ruby picked up an immaculate pair Of
dress trousers. "Humphi You are nice
and big, anyway-rm awfully sorry I
was so perfectly silly as to take up the
wrong suitcase. ! rather like your pearl
studs" She picked up a large box OF
candy "Ive a good notion to give this
| to Alice. The one In my own case Is
| exactly the same, and you could give
mine to your hostess"
half hour later the guests at Mrs.
| sutcliffes we'll bred though they were'
looked up in amusement as Mrs. Hobbies
and her guest we're announced. They had
had a similar shock when Billy Avery
entered with John Wade.
The latter looked UP when Ruby Wells
entered, and was being introduced.
Great scottl What excruciating taste"
he whispered to Billy Avery. And look
at the hang of the dress-it hikes UP in
front"
Rather the same effect as your vest.
isn't it?" covertly suggested Avery.
"And It's pinned in at the waist,
know" went on Wade, waxing into
white heat. us this the peach you spoke
OFF,
Must be-" Even Avery was taken
aback "shl Here she is"
Hello. Biliyr' Mrs Hobbies shook
hands with Avery. The introductions
took place and Wade made room for
Ruby Wells at his side. He couldn't help
himself from falling into the snare OF
her charm. It would have been there
II her gown had been yellow red and
green mixed.
~ understand we are to be dinner part
ners," she said with a twinkle cleaning
from the deep gray of her eyes.
She cast a quizzical glance at the length
of arm and hand projecting below wades
coat sleeve. Another glance travelled
claim their breadth notwithstanding the
meager proportions of the coat.
She looked UP again and their eyes
met. Both strove to quell the laughter,
but it was too much, They laughed until
every one in the room cast startled
glances in their direction.
What are you laughing at?' asked
Ruby when John Wade's eyes had
ceased their mockery and her own had
grown questioning.
ITO be frank, Miss Wells" said Wade,
II laughed because your eyes made me.
at my own predicament and because
well, because you are SO hopelessly-a-
well, out Of harmony with the clothes you
have on"
Ruby bit her lips. He was so serious
and apologetic
'If 1 am out of harmony-you must be
out of tune. If may have the impertin-
ence to suggest it-a little sugar might
coax that coat of yours to meet"
That's right, laugh at a fellow be-
cause he has had the misfortune to pick
up the wrong suitcase"
"Suitcaser' cried Ruby. Are you the |
poor man whose bag / ran off with?"
II beg your pardon-I ran off with
yours2"
"oh, very well-as the suit fits"
But 1t doesn't!'
They laughed again.
"And is my perfectly good maize-col- |
ored gown
well. I wouldn't have said the things
were yellow"
mounted in Ruby's cheeks Try as he
might Wade could not turn his eyes from
the exquisite beauty.
II had pictured-just you-in that
gown" said Wade.
"And perhaps" said Ruby, st had
pictured-just you-in that evening suit.
Dinner was announced. Ruby and Wade
arose and she put her hand on his arm
Toward the end of dinner Ruby leaned
near Wade and whispered: "I refuse alb
solutely to go to that dance tonight in
this frock"
so do lin these clothes. But listen,
Immediately after dinner will order
carriage and you and will make a hasty
exit. / will explain the circumstances to
Mrs. Sutclffe"
What are you going to explain?'
asked Ruby, with wide-open eyes.
That you and / are going to make
ourselves presentable before the dance.
TWO hours later Wade strolled impa-
uently about the drawing room at the
Hobpes home. He Strengthened an al
ready immaculate set tie and glanced at
the perfect fit of his own evening clothes
Presently he heard soft little swish
on the upper landing of the stairs. and he
went TO the hall to meet Ruby Wells.
His eyes lit up as she came down tbs
stairs The soft gown clung I'm graceful
folds and her glorious Titan hair was
by wreath of buds from which
the pearls peeped.
He took her hand as she came to the
last step. IT cannot tell you how beau9
Liful you are,' he said while a sIIght
tremor shook his voice
Ruby was on a level with him nou, a,,d
her large gray eyes fingered shyly on bjs
lace The unspeakable answer was in
ler eyes.
Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)