The Tomahawk., 1917-04-05
Copyright, by W. G. Chapman.)

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Copyright, by W. G. Chapman.)
Undoubtedly Ruth was too sensitive.
She could never get away from the
fact that she was the "poOr relation"
No one in 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 times embit-
tering.
Ruth lived in 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 Vane 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 good
looking type of the young American,
and was rapidly becoming successful
architect. Ruth noticed that he was
much attracted to her cousin Margie,
and proceeded to efface herself as far
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-minded for that, and she
| had been brought in contact with
quite n good many in the Vane So
| ciety; 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 f1owers?" he said.
ooh, yes, but especially red roses
| TI,o,~ oro Gu rOvo1 fIJI1 Of
life!"
Their conversation drifted on to
their work, architecture, and design
ing. The two arts had something in
common, kindred interest, and they
became engrossed in the topic.
IT want always to do beautiful
things" she said.
IT am building beautiful house"
he added. "Now If 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 rs soon as pos
! sible. Clearly she was an 1nterloper
poaching on her Cousins preserves,
and it must not happen again. She
excused herself on the plea Of study,
| and left the room.
| Ruth was not left long in doubt rs
| to the state Of affairs between young
Beecham 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 it was that Ruth absented her
self from the room when Glenn Beech
am called, or once in q while, when the
temptation grew too strong fingered q
few minutes If only to see his face
or hear the sound Of his voice.
After even these slight glimpses OF
| him she found it 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 to be little dinner dance
| ut the Vanes, and flowers for the dec
orations were coming in. Ruth saw
the maid taking long white box to
Margie's room.
'They are from him." she thought.
II wonder what they are"
She was not left long in doubt for
Margie called her in to see.
"Look!" she cried. "Aren't they
beautiful"
every" said Ruth family.
Her heart thumped so hard, and
then seemed to stand still. She was
finding it difficult not to reveal her
feelings to the other girl.
| In the box were splendid, royal, red
roses! The very flowers he knew she
| loved. He had cared so little he had
Haunted his gift to another before her
very eyes! She felt she must tear
them from her fortunate rival, and cry
| out: "They are mine! Miner But
she drew out Of the room quietly, won
dering If she could bear to see him
that night.