New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-30
"Wait till the end" she said, as she arose.

WI alt Jlll lHe cru, BIC odiu, do ShO oAN0N'
Frau Amale Won Muhlhaus, Gerhard's
wife. had been the only person during all the
family controversy to sympathize, though
silently, with her niece. Opposed from the
start to this almost forced marriage, she al
ways hoped for some favorable outcome, due
to the initiative of the young people them
selves and not to outside interference
Such interference was, in fact, no longer
necessary Ruth was not yet cured; but she
was already on the road to betterment. That
was noticeable even in the tone in which she
had inquired after her husband-that tone
of assumed indifference which fell far short
of concealing her secret interest. And the
shudder which ran through her body when she
heard of Ferdinand's furlough-was it a shud-
der of aversion or only of pleasurable expecta-
ton?
There could certainly be some ground for
argument that point War, the great
searcher and educator, had also touched with
his grim wisdom this womans soul. She read
daily the military bulletins, devoured the tel
egrams which came from the Isonzo, where
Ferdinand was stationed heard from the de-
scriptions of friends what miracles Of bravery
were being performed there and had all the
time the consciousness that in that inferno
a heart fought which thought tenderly Of
her. man was enduring all that whom she
knew. whose name she bore and whose wife
she was before man and God.
On departing for the front he had handed
her his will and given her some directions
oIor ,lat.aH he a
her with silent greeting of farewell, while
she had remained behind in her room with
feeling of triumph-vctor and conqueror
Some DAYS later she glanced over the pages
of the document-purely business arrange
ments. concisely and coldly outlined but each
one of them in her favor each one an evil
dence of his love.
Then came the communicates the letters
which Ferdinand wrote TO his parents, the
stories Of friends-fery drops which fell upon
her ciness and soon dissolved it, though leav-
ing some of its chill behind. Her courage
began to weaken. The theoretical egoism
which she affected took on more and more the
status of vanishing hobby. For selfworship
there is no better remedy than war. A war
of nations must convert the most rooted self
lover to active neighborliness. 1t must awak-
en- a vague feeling Of community interest even
in the most obstinate self-worshipper Man
cannot live for himself alone. 81 belong TO
you and you belong to me"-that word or
love, exchanged between two kindred souls,
is mankind's true slogan.
That liberating word she had never yet
spoken; yet there lay something on her tongue
kaua haan
very closely related to it.
The whole family had gathered to greet
Ferdinand on the day Of his arrival. Ruth
placed herself behind her mother-in-aw and
did not venture to push herself forward. He
noticed her and nodded to her politely.
silent greeting upon his return-just as upon
his departure. Then he was surrounded by
many of his relatives and there was formal
round Of hand kissing.
He wore his left arm in a sling. super
fetal wound, not Mt all serious, but still re
oulring nursing. There were helpful hands
enough in the family-Red Cross sisters,
beautiful girls, young wives, all accustomed
10 hospital work, and each eager 10 take care
Of him.
Then suddenly Ruth penetrated the group
Of young folk and blushng fiery red, gasplng
for breath. biurted out these words
"-f shall nurse him. ! am his wife"
An interval NJ surprise and establishment
Then whispering and iittering. Some ~ he
cousins laughed out loud ard tried 10 maks
q joke Of H.
Bot Ruth carried her point and undertook
the care Of her husband. She had already
taken nursing course and knew exactly what
10 DO. Ferdinand consented 10 become her
patient. Nevertheless. he submitted N her