Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-09
ARTICLE XIX

ARTICLE XIX
ID UTH thought. after her motner $
~ gentle ridicule and Jacks obvious
disapproval. that work OF the k'nd that
Myra had suggested would be difficult
to discover. There was. too. the personal
element about 1t. Ruth longed to talk
II over with Myra, to ask her more dues-
tions about It, to discuss the problem
Of approaching people without seemins
to intrude on a purely intimate phase OF
life. but not for the world would she
have asked a favor Of Myra under exist
ing circumstances.
She was tempted daily to let it go and
to devote herself to getting ready to
be married, but something she could not
entirely understand forced her mind to
dwell on her work constantly so that she
finally went to Helen Brander and in an
effort to help matters confessed what 1t
was that She wanted to do.
Helen had been out with her mother at
a fashionable afternoon reception. She
wore an afternoon frock of grey chiffon
fur Ruth could not help exclaiming at
the extravagance Of the costume. the
first OF the new fall models that she had
seen. Then she looked at Helen's face
! and promptly changed her mind. Helen
was very white and her ayes looked
dark and tragic. She seemed >apything
but happy, although she had apparently
everything to make her so.
She grasped both of Ruth's hands and
|
tire face. Ruth, what darling you are
to look me up. l never was 81 glad to
see anyone"
r"And | never saw anyone look SO
stunning"
You mean my gown. ! suppose: but
look at my face Mother tells me about
that day and night"
You do lock pale, Helen. Tell me
about things. cant you?"
NO ! can't talk about It now. because
mother suspects that you sympathize
with me. told her yesterday when
she goaded me too far that you and Jack
had been al the wedding"
rot course she was angry
Angry? Well. you just cant imag-
inc how furious she was. I'm afraid she
won't be decent to you, Ruth. You don't
mind, do you?"
"Of course | don't"
Well. ,here she comes Now. Buck up.
now. and be soldier" \ And a faint
smile overspread Helcn's face.
Mrs Brander swept into the room in
her usual way, and greeted Ruth with
extreme frigidness.
She plainly intended to remain in the
room during Ruths visit unless the girls
were able to invent something to get her
! out or TO leave Themselves.
81 suppose you and Jack are busy get
ting ready for the wedding" Mrs. Bran
der said, condescendingly. Il met Jack
yesterday and he was telling me about
the apartment he has taken on west
| End avenue
Yes" .assented Ruth. "The apart
ment is a dear ..
why. Ruth" Helen broke in almost
| eagerly, II didn't know you and Jack
had decided on an apartment
/ we didn't decide---Jack discovered II
and took me down to see it yesterday
afternoon. haven't had time to tel
you about it,
she probably didn't want to tell you
about it. anyway" put in Mrs. Brander
| icily. Il notice that. although Ruth an
proved of the idiotic thing you did
she is careful to- feather her own nest.
"Oh mother. how can you?' protested
Helen. angrily.
II haven't had a chance to tell Helen
| Ruth returned. her cheeks scarlet
"And I never said Ruth approved o'
what did" Helen added.
| But | did approve" said Ruth quick
! ly. 81 think Helen did fine thing am
| think that we ought to make her happ!
while she is waiting for Jim TO com
home
Happy" said Helen bitterly hap