The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1918-02-15

Julius had talked with some keenly
ebert, clean minded young boy of his
acquaintance; and as they talked
Ruth smoked nonchalantly--not In the
least languidly. At ten julius rose tc
90. Somewhere in the back Of his
mind he recalled that he had read
that although women who live alone
may receive callers unchaperOned
those callers must never remain after
ten. Ruth urged him to stay-still as
young boy would have done when
he had not had enough conversation.
rather than as young woman wish
ing still further to try her charms on
man whom she knows to be her
admirer.
Julius was reluctant. Don't you
think I'd better" he said. II mean
wouldn't 1t be the conventional thing
to do? If you had let the nanny
stay in then we might have prolonged
the party-but, you are all alone"
Ruth shot back glance of indig-
nation but mere of disappointment.
She told him she did not think the
speech was worthy of him and julius
admitted that he had been rather
clumsy.
"Amy Nair says that no really
cmancipated people give those foolish
conventions thought and she says
that it is people who invent them and
who see evil in smoking and unusual
but beautiful costumes who are really
the immoral people. And she says that
1t is our duty--really our duty-to
show people that morality and decen-
cy don't depend on a few stupid ana
antiquated conventions. Amy Nair is
as virtuous as my own mother and ye.
she does things every day that would
make people like you condemn her."
Julius tried to make some stand for
himself and mumbled something about
the impossibility for girl so pretty
as Ruth was, to live with the freedom
Of young bachelor and then Ruth
went off again on a spirited defense
of Amy Nair and her own position.
"That's just 1t. Women have to take
their place in the world and work as
hard as men. It's Just worn-out
prejudice that makes you think that
there are certain things woman may
do and certain things man may do.
Why, Amy Nair says that If she had
son and he had taste for dressmak-
Ing she'd make him great dress
1yo, {,rck tn CHI
old ideas about special vocations for
men and women are all poppycock and
nonsense. I don't see why a man
shouldn't do anything that woman |
does and surely I don't see why l
shouldn't have as many privileges rs
you"
The conversation drifted back to less |
heated topics and an hour later when
julius finally left he was in state |
If mental confusion. One thing he
vas sure of, however, and that was
hat he was completely in love with
Ruth and that in spite of the fact that
she hadn't yet begun to flirt with him.
Then julius asked Ruth to supper
n his rooms. In the interval they
hadn't mentioned the subject of their
heated discussion. And at half past
seven Ruth found herself seated be-
lore julius cheerful open fireplace
n his bachelor apartment-Julius
himself in daintily lowered dressing
GOWN at the other side of the fender.
From the book pocket at the side Of
lis chair he pulled out ball of yarn
md q half finished soldiers muffier
md without comment began to knit
1ot at all easily but still in measure
Ruth's eyes opened wide.
We'll of all things!" she exclaimed;
hen as she met julius eyes she
paused and changed the subject.
Julius excused himself to
ret supper. He had left his man off,
lie said, so he could give Ruth SAM
lie of his cooking and after supper
lie donned an apron and cleared away
he dishes and remained long enough
n the kitchen to tell Ruth that he had
peen washing the dishes. He dotted on
hat sort of thing, he told her.
At ten Ruth rose to go. "Ive been
Lwfully glad to have you here" he
old her, making no move to go and
ION his coat and hat to see her home.
It's so seldom one finds a girl that
will come and spend an evening with
man like this. 1 hope you'll come
ften." Ruth paused - said goodby
nd started out. A second later she
Tall. - n |
axi. She said she didn't like to go
through the streets alone at that time.
"Amy Nair says it is rather danger
us for q girl alone" But there were
,vn tears I'm her eyes ms she returned