Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-10-23

change he tenor of his talk by saying
his work was but preparatory to big
things in the future, he would sneer, or
else grow angry.
The week following her raise had
consequently been hard one. Ruth
was worn out physically and mentally.
SO when Clara Roberts proposed they go
to matinee On Saturday afternoon,
Ruth gladly agreed.
Clara had not mentioned her plan un-
til her husband and Brian had left. At
first she spoke of calling them up and
asking them to meet them at ,he the
ater. Then Clara said:
ssI know Kenyon will hate to sosn 3
half day. Let's 60 by ourselves this
time. We III be at home before they
are"
Ruth reluetan ly agreed. She well
well know that Brian would not hesitate
to leave the office had she called him.
Yet she also felt that she should not in
terfere with his business hours.
They were a big late and tho curtain
was up, the play commenced, before
they found their seats.
During the intermission they amused
themselves by looking around leo hslse
making comments anent the way people
were dressed, admiring this one, and
finding fault good naturedly with some
one else.
Suddenly Ruth saw Clara start. She
followed her gaze and, yet, it looked
like - it was Brian and Mollie King.
The curtain just then rose On The sec
ond act, leaving the house in darkness,
much to Ruth relief.
Clara never had met Mollie. Bus what
would she thinka Ruth felt sure Brian
had asked Molie to the ma inee because
of the mood he had been in all the
week. Probably she lunched with
him too'', she thought bitterly. Then
had / called him up, should have
known.
Clara prtended to be absorbed IN the
play, but Ruth fell, sure she was sur
reptiously watching her--and also Bri
AN. She saw nothing of what was on
the stage, heard nothing Of what was
said. Her mind was so intent OF find
ing some way to explain things 20 Clara
Roberts; some excuse for Brian.
But even when the curtain finally
rung down on the second act, she har
arrived at no decision.
She looked at the program and saw
the wait was to be a long one. Would
Brian 90 ous to smoke9 If he did should
she follow him9
Clara tried to appear unconscious and
to chatter as usual, but Ruth realized
that it was trying, and that il was an
effort. Watching her closely, she saw
her ewes turn toward Brian and Mollic,
seemingly unable to avoid doing SO.
In desperation Ruth finally said:
'sWhy, I believe thal's Brian over
there with Mollie King, great friend
of oursg We will wait for thema II
should like to meet her.
Z "That will be nice She is very
prettyi" Clara answered, nod al IA. us'-
ceivcd by Ruth s brave attempt to carry
off an uncomfortable situation.
The last act was short. Brian and
Mollie were nearer the sage than were
Ruth and Clara, so they waited at theI
back of the house until they came
along.
"Hello, Brian!" Ruth said brightly,
causing him to turn a STAR .aed face in
her direction, then to flush deeply.
How de you do. Miss Kingl WASH VI
the play beautifulg" then without wait
ing for reply from either, she presens-
ed Mrs. Roberts to Mollie.
~ was going to phone you, Brian,
that we we're also to be at the theater,
but didn't get ,ime,p she bravely pre-
varicated "We might have all sat to-
gether.
''I'll leave you now,' Mollie King
said when they reached the street. Ruth
was about 10 tell Brian to accompanqt
her to the car or stage, but she con-
cluded she had been patient enough, 50
she said instead:
''Good bye, Miss King; come on
Brian, take Mrs. Roberts and me home
in the stage"
Brian hailed age, they got in. Re-
penting her rudencss, Ruth called:
''Cone and see us soon, Miss King +
but Mollie either did not hear her or
scorned to answer
(Tomorrow Brian Apologies and
They Spend Happy Evening.)