Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1917-05-31
Observation-Disclosures
Copyright, by W. G. Chapman.)

fact that she was the poor relation"
No one i'm the family seemed to make
this apparent; they were all kind and
-considerate; but to some natures the
position OF being dependent is espe-
cially CALLING, and some tunes embit-
tering.
Ruth lived in a small country town,
and wishing to study designing at an
institute in the city, her uncle Vane
had offered her home with his fam
lily while she attended the school, as
her parents could not afford the ex-
pense Of keeping her there.
Margie Vane, the only daughter,
was a year or two older than Ruth,
and had been "presented' in society
the year before Ruth's coming. There
were parties, dinners, and luncheons
in plenty for Miss Yane to attend,
but Ruth felt she must make the best
of her time with her studies, so sell
dom mixed in the gaities; besides she
| had not the wardrobe to appear at
these functions. OF course when peO-
pie were invited to the house for din
ners or evenings, she was always pres
ent. On one of these occasions she
met Glenn Beecham. He was a good
booking type OF the young American,
and was rapidly becoming successful
architect Ruth noticed that he was
much attracted to her cousin Murgie.
and proceeded to efface herself as fur
as possible. But there was something
going on in the region of her heart
which she did not find quite so easy
to effaCe. The mysterious attraction
which draws US to some individual soul
has never yet been very satisfactorily
| explained by scientists. Ruth Bassett
was not the sort OF young woman to
be fascinated by the first good-looking
man who came along, she was rather
too serious-mlnded for that, and she
had been brought in contact with
quite a good many in the Vnne So
cety; but Glenn Beecham seemed to
her different" The one we really
love is always different"
One evening she happened to be in
the reception room when he called.
She was bending over a vase of red
roses, enjoying their fragrance, and
caressingly arranging the stems as
he entered.
"You love fiowers?" he said.
"Oh, yes, but especially red roses.
They are so splendid, royal, full Of
lnfew
Their conversation drlfted on to
their work, architecture, and design
| ing The two arts had something in
common, Il kindred interest, and they
became engrossed In the topic.
81 want always to do beautiful
| things she said.
Il am building beautiful house"
he added 'Now II YOU could only
put your beautiful Ideas Into the in
| terror decoration"
At that instant Margie entered, and
| Ruth caught an expression that seemed
| to warn her to leave as soon as pos
sible. Clearly she was an interloper,
| poaching on her cousins preserves,
and 1t must not happen again. She
| excused herself on the plea of study,
and left the room.
Ruth was not left long In doubt as
| 10 the state of Affairs between young
Bcecham and her cousin. Margie did
not conceal the fact that she cared
| for him, and for the other girl began
the slow torture of seeing the love
| which was more TO her than life with
| held and given to another.
SO 1t was that Ruth absented her
| self from the room when Glenn Beech
| am called, or once i'm Il while, when the
temptation grew too strong fingered a
| few minutes If only to see his face
or hear the sound Of his voice.
After even these slight gllmpses of
him she found 1t harder each time to
concentrate her mind on her work, and
she prayed that she might be able TO
put him out of her life.
There was 10 be a little dinner dance
ut the VuneS, and flowers for the dec
orations were coming i'm. Ruth saw
the maid taking Il long white box to
Mnrgic's room
"They are from him" she thought.
81 wonder what they are"
She was uot left long in doubt for
NarEie called her In to see.
Look 20 she cried "Aren't they
beautiful
very said Ruth family.
Her heart thumned so hard. and
then seemed to stand stlll. She was
finding it difficult NOT to reveal her
feelings 10 The other girl
In the box were splendid. royal. red
roses The very flowers he knew she
loved, lie had cared So little he had
Haunted his gift 20 another before her
very eyes, She felt she must tear
them from her fortunate rival and cry
ont: "They are mine, mine :" But
She drew ont Of the room quietly, won
dcrldg Il She could bear to see him
that night
She decided that pride must come TO
her aid mud she must not excite com
ment by not appearing. 50 she dressed
her hair IN the most becoming way.
and put ON the only evening gown she
possessed a simple white crepe. She
was after all rather pleased with the
reelection IN the glass of a graceful
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