Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-09-05

explained, "But the place is so small
that | am sure it will not require all
your time to keep it in order"
Mrs. Crawfod agreed to come in the
morning early, get breakfast, and re-
main until the flat was in order. Then
to return in time to cook the dinner.
She had an invalid mother, and such
All arrangement was ideal for her. Of
course she would sleep home.
"Shc would have to, nyway un.
less she Slept on the kitchen table"
Ruth told Brian. when she explained
what arrangement she had made.
II hope it will work. | haven't
much faith in it," he grouched.
But it did! Mrs. Crawford was an
excellent cook and manager. 1t did
not cost as much to live as it had
when Ruth attended to things, and
they lived far better.
''You see, Brian, she knows how to
buy; and then, after she gets the
things, she knows how to cook them"
''She is SOME cook all right" he
returned, notified by the good din
ner she had served them on her first
night.
son, doesn't it all taste good?'.
Ruth exclaimed, as she helped herself
to more creamed potatoes. 81 don't
wonder, after the messes l put on
the tablet
"You would have done all right af-
ter a while" He would not be too
easily appeased.
Eyes, after we were both dead from
mal-nutrition.
1t was working better than even
she had dared hope, Ruth thought
often. And she was so much happier.
She had fitted into her place at the
shop in the same capable manner that
Mrs. Crawford had, at the house. Bri-
an, too, if not reconciled, soon ceased
to be cross, and was his own bright,
optimistic self again. Now it was:
"lH take you out of that pretty
soon, now, Ruth! Things are picking
up at the office"
Ruth never contradicted him; she
only smiled and told him she was pleas
ed that he thought he would soon do
better. They had come to a very ami
cable arrangement as regarded expenses
and the fact that he had more money
in his pocket-felt free to spend a lit
tle-might have had something to do
with Brian's good nature.
Brian was to pay the rent; ice, cleo
gas, etc. Ruth was to pay the
maid, then they would divide the gro
Gerry and meat bills between them.
1t was a very equable arrangement,
and left them both with quite a little
balance for spending money,
Brian insisted on paying for all a.
musements, and they went out often
er, now that they had a little money
in their pockets.
SIT is only fair when you are to
buy all your own clothes" he had
said when Ruth objected.
One plan Ruth had, of which she
had not breathed a word to Brian.
lust as soon as she had her prom
ised raise, she was going to rent a
better apartment, nearer the office,
and furnish it daintily. Sometimes
she spent part of her noon hour look
ing, yet not daring to think she
would be able to make any change for
4 long time. She had found one or
two delightful places, the rooms not
much larger than where they were,
but new and so clean. But-more to
her han all the rest-they were not
decorated, The entrances were plain,
but there was an elevator, telephone
service, and many other improvements
not found in her present quarters.
She had been in the position just a
month when Mr.. Mandel said to her:
"You are very much more eompe-
tent than I supposed you were when
[ hired you. From now on, your sal
ary will be forty dollars a week"
Ruth could scarcely believe in her
good fortune, nor could she imagine
he effect it was to have on Brian.
To be Continued.