Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-23
PIER MI

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DITH put off telling Scott about the
~ invitation for the evening, TIL the
very last minute. She thought several
times during the day of telephoning. but
each time decided not TO do 1t. The
first time she was interrupted by some
one at the door the second. her mind
was suddenly diverted by something
else and the third impulse was not
strong enough to impel her to the tele-
phone.
I'll wait till he comes home to tell
him." she argued to herself. when
he's about half finished dinner, he won't
feel 80 tired"
Just the same she had scruples about
what she had done, and 1t was only
through convincing herself that scott
had been thoughtless about the other
evening when he had left her entirely
alone that she was able to feel at all
right in her mind about 1t.
SCOTS greeting at the door that night
was unusually tender, and her heart
smote her. She followed him INTO the
living room and fused over him, Insist
ing that he lie down on the davenport
for a time before dinner and putting MS
cigarette material where 1t was handy'
Just as she was about to leave hIn'
he spoke to her. Listen. dear I'M
afraid we'll nave to change our piahs
for tonight"
Ruth came back into the room. 'WnS'
what has happened?'
Mother telephoned me this afternoon
that Alice arrived in town today. she
wants me to go over tonight n 10
bring you" .
II don't see why your mother couldn't
rave told US before that Alice was en-
pected. She must have known.
Ruth was displeased for two reasons
One was the fact that she would nave 10
call up Isabel Carter and tell her ana
that would reveal to Scott the fact that
she had made IN engagement lot tne
evening without consulting him at all
and the other was that she had a very
real dread of facing Alice. she ieIt
intuitively, as women do sometimes, Una
she and Alice were to be antagonistic II
not real enemies. .
"she didn't say, and didn't think
to ask her" Scott said, but you doht
mind going out. do YOU .
Ruth never liked going to see ScottS
people, but naturally she did not zen
him SO, They had not reached the point
vet in their married life when they tod
each other frankly what they thought
about each others relatives, II theE had
come to words about each other
friends.
Ruth's one thought now was telephon-
ing to Isabel without letting Scout
know. II she could do that she wouid
not have to confess that she had mace
an engagement for the evening. But
could she do 1t? Certainly she would
never be able to unless she could get
scott out of the house undo some pre-
text. She might ask him to go to the
store hut he was tired and had CLIMBED
the stairs once that evening. She SIMPLY
could not d. that. However, scott
solved the problem himself by saying
suddenly, ~ forgot to get some ciga-
rettes. Guess, I'll run down now Tor
some"
Ruth waited till he had left the place
and then made a rush for the telephone
BEFORE she could reach 1t. however, the
telephone tlnkled and she was forced
to talk for a couple of minute TO her
mother. When she had finally rung
or and called Isabels number, she
heard Scott coming up the stairs NOW
she was In for 1t, she would simply
baye to do the whole thing before scott.
This knowledge that her failure to tell
hin would seem small and petty 10
Scott brought the blood to her race, n
lust as Scott opened the door with ms
kew Isabel's cool, well-bred voice said
''Hello,'
"This is Ruth, I called you up to tell
YOU we wont be able to come over to-
night. SCOTS sister Is In town and he
hasn't seen in her in some time. We
are going over there, Scott arranged
IT at the office. I'm so sorry, | did
want to come yes, l knew you'd under
stand"
Ruth hung up and raced Scott, her
cheeks afiame.
you made an engagement for to-
night?"