Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-31
Woman and Home

land would take a moment or two in
picking II up, thus blocking the ad-
vance of Ruth. who would be behind
her. The stair foot was directly in
front OF the half-open living-room
door.
Very good" said Kcndrick loudly.
ms he heard the fan drop. at is set :
tied then. You enter my employ to-
morrow morning at $1,000 month
and in return for such an unusually
large salary, you give me your promise
not to marry"
II promise" returned Blair. gladly.
Such big pay is we'll worth staying
single for. And"
y suppressed cry. as of mortal pain,
| from the hallway outside sent him to
the door at one bound. There he had
a momcntary glimpse Of Ruth. the
happiness and girlish color suddenly
stricken from her face, leaving her
haggard and CHASTITY.
"Sweethcart.' he cried, what is it?
What is the matter?"
But she thrust him back as he sought
to catch her in his arms: and nod Mrs.
Alden barred his way when he follow cd
the sobbing girl. But Blair pushed her
aside and gave chase. He caught up
with Ruth as she rushed into the IL
hrary at the rear of the house. She
whirled about him in white fury.
You have sold me-" she shrilled
You have sold inc and my love for
Il handful of money!
Ruth" he stammcred. aghast at
her rage Are YOU crazy? | did just
what YOU told me to do! accepted
the position and promised not to marry
until"
"Nou can promise not to marry till
doomsday, if you wait to marry me-
she cried Historically. go! Leave
my mothers house this minute. ] will
never see YOU again ms long as live!"
Ruth" he sasped. in horror, u
obeyed your own wish. YOU"
He got no further. In her anguish
Of pain and disillusion, she would not
listen TO him The man she had adored
had just sold himself and her for n
business proposition. He had betray-
ed their holy pledges for money. So.
when he sought to explain, she turn
ed from him might an enraged
child. ."
MIR Blair" said Mrs. Alden who
had followed him into the library,
you'd better go. l heard your con-
temptible bargain with Mr.. kendrick.
Ruth Will never forgive you, nor shall
L. Please leave my house"
III go" said l;lair dumbfounded,
hut cut to the quick by his sweet
hearts behavior. And | will stay out
my whole year in Japan. But then I
am coming back. II her love is worth
anything. she Will have TO come TO
her senses before then. and be wait
ing for me. az she promised in her
note. Good-by."
Mrs. Alden sat down beside the weep
ing girl and put her arms tenderly
about the heaving little body.
1T is hard. bitterly hard. to bear
it. dear child she murmured. II
know that. There is no anguish in
life like dual blow to the heart and
Won 10 give it your whole timo and
thought, so ] will ask you 70. n solemn
promise not TO marry. while you are In
my employ"
II agree" said Blair suppressing n
grin.
kcndrick had seemed to be listening
iclosely---as If for some sicnal-while
they talked. And he had made his
lantimatrimony proviso as he had heard
the sound of n womauS cough, at the
head of the stairway. He knew Mrs.
Alden had gone TO summon Ruth. and
that the two women were beginning
To descend the stairs toward the Nv
ng-room. AT the stair foot he also
knew Mrs. Alden was TO drop her fan
TO the pride. No wonder IL has crushed
You. But how much better TO find HIM
out in time; before he had a chance
to wreck your whole life!''
He has wrecked my whole life"
,To Il" Continued T"-Moriow.)