Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-11-27
The Wife.
Ruth's Aunt Meets Arthur MandcI.
by JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER LXXXV

CHAPTER LXXXV
Arthur MandeI had looked into
| Ruin lIackctts eyrs and had divin ed
! something not quite happy In their
| depths II troubled. while In a way
II encouraged him to believe the TIM
| might come more quickly than hs
| had dared hope when he could cal
| her his own.
Now ~ he sat opposite her "a,
| luncheon. he was sure he had read
| her Alright. Something had caused
that haunting look OF nnhappiness in
| her eyes Had he been still more
kccnly alive to her moods. he would
have noticed that It followed some
| reference To either her husband, or
some man who was in the same pro-
fesslon. and who was making a sue
cess.
The luncheon was perfect and per-
fcctly served. Mrs. Clayborne beam
cd. She was delighted with this en-
ployer Of Ruth's. He was the sort of
man she understood: and Of whom
she approved As the meal progress
ed she became more positive that she
had been right: that Mandel was in
love with Ruth. At the same time
she discovered that Ruth herself was
totally unconscious of It.
"Clever mani" she said to herself.
And he rose stlll higher in her est-
nation.
Mrs. Clayborne was a clever, intel
ligent woman She knew that II took
tact and polse for n man to he, day
after day, in company OF the won-
an with whom he was in love and
keep 1t from her.
"Yes. III make quite stay" she
decided, just az Mr.. Mandel said:
II hope you intend to remain with
Mrs. Hackctt some time. Mrs. Clay
borne? And that I shall have the
pleasure of helping TO entertain you"
He had sensed this womans liking
for him at once. The good impress
sion he had made. II would he easy
TO turn 1t to his advantage with Ruth.
did she remain long enough.
II shall he here some little time"
she replied. to Ruth's aStonishment.
(She had said nothing about making
n long visit, and had brought very
little haggage) This she went on to
explain: 81 am in need OF many
things. I shall replenish my ward
tie, with that end in view"
You will wish Mrs Hackett to
shop with YOU" Then he turned to
Ruth. whenever Mrs. Clayborne
wishes, please feel entirely free to ac-
company her on her shopping excur-
sions"
That is more than kind" Mrs.
Clayborne returned. but l shall not
require Ruth to neglect her work for
me. have bought my clothes In New
York many years. shall have no
trouble outffttlng myself alone" She
would not he the means OF taking
Ruth away from this man. even to
help her shop.
Mrs ClYbornc was good woman;
but a worldly one. She had realized
something was not quite right with
Ruth and Brian, and had immediate
~ Jumped to the conclusion that II
was money--that Ruth had worked
because Hrian could not provide for
her; and that her love for the work
was only a pose to excuse his defi-
cheney.
That Ruth really loved her work
that she preferred to DO II, even
though she had not felt II necessary,
would not have seemed reasonable to
her aunt She had not understood
things very well when so far away. |
She still felt II was beneath Ruth to !
work. vet II she must there was no |
place she could he where she would |
he treated as she was by Arthur |
Their luncheon finished. Mandel |
sent them home in cab after ask |
Ing II he might send them tickets for |
the opera on Monday night, IL they |
were free To so. They accepted with |
delight, Mrs. Clayborne thanking !
effusively.
"Your employer is a very fascin-
lting man" she said to Ruth when
they reached home.
"IIe is n very kind man." Ruth re-
piled. And, noting her tone, Mrs.
Hlayborne once more realized that
he way Mandcl felt toward her.
How can she he so blind" she
asked herself She did not quite un-
icrstaud that her love for Brian
blinded Ruth to what had she not
lcCen So intrigued, would have been
,lain to her
"You are very lucky to work in
iuch placr--if you are still deter
mined To work"
81 don't think l could give up my
work. be idle. Auntic, even though
}rian should make our fortunes
owe my work. Women are doing
hings nowadays, Auntie! many
hings that used 10 he only done by
men. They are doing them well,
90. | don't see why we shouldn't.
r why we should, be expected to ha
nrlor ornaments or kitchen drudGcs
one oh the othcr--all our lives.
didn't feel so at first. But work.
one loves It, grows interesting just
s other things that appeal to one.
ltercst. And to work among beau
ful stuffs. in such delightful sur
Is delight. ar course
get tired. But so I would doing
nything else. Yes, Aunt Louisa, |
hall keep on working always, /
nink."
Clayborne Decides
to Prolong Her Visit.
Copyright 1918 George Matthew Adams,)