Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-10-12

time and doesn't nag him. For good
ness sake tell me: Are there any more
at home like you?'
Ruth laughed, she couldn't help it
Claude Beckley was the most redieu-
lous creature she ever had met.
81 am the one and only" she re,
turned.
"Then what am l to do?" his mock
serious tone made her laugh again. That
she was a bit hystsrical did not escape
Brian. He was sulking now.
"Come, Ruth, let's go home!" he
said after moment. "We've spent all
our money, there s no use staying here
any longer"
"Oh, don't be a Crouch. Sit and
smoke awhile" Beckley said, helping
himself to another cigarette.
eyes, dol" Ruth added "The mu-
sic is delightful" she really dreaded
being alone with Brian; then, toe, down
deep in her heart that she might learn
more of Brian and Mollie from Becky
although she would have hesitated te
acknowledge it.
"0h, very well" " Brian sank back in
his chair.
"Can't you keep him away9" Beck
ley asked Ruth.
"From, what?"
"From Mollie. She looked with favor
on me while back. Now she scorns
me. A jug of red ink and an italian
table de hote and me no longer tempt
her. Brian has spoiled her for the sim
pie life. 1t is a shame that one man
should have so much, and the rest of us
nothing. Don't you think soY"
81 think you are talking like an
asst" Brian interrupted. "Ruth ism It
used to your nonsense, Beckley. Cut it
out!"
"You don't think me silly do you
fair lady7" Beckley asked, paying no
slightest attention to Brian s angry
looks.
"You couldn't expect me to say
yes to that question, could you9" Ruth
parried for an answer. Size was begin.
ming to enjoy herself.
'"Oh, come, Haekettl I'm not as black
as he is painting me, Mrs. Hackett,5'
he turned to Ruth "I'm sore at him,
that S all. I've always had reason
enough to be so; and since l met you
the reason has grown immeasureably. "
81 am sure your are flatterer. ="
Nothing like thatl always tell the
truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the truth. -
"0f course you dol" his time Brian
sneered.
"To change the subject" Becky was
imperturable, "will you and Mrs. Hac-
kett take dinner with me tomorrow
night2 Not at some million dollar
joint, but down in the village Bare tab
les and paper napkins, Mrs Hackett, but
absolutely clean; and also with the din
ner there will be given free, "feast
Of reason and a flow of soul, F" impos-
sible to find in place like this, - with
an indescribable gesture, he dismissed
the roof garden as tho it were unworthy
his presence.
"shall we, Brian9" Ruth looked at
her husband for acceptance of the invi-
tation. "You haven I any engagement,
have you9n
"No" Brian was surprised that
Ruth wanted to 90. Could it be possible
she was attracted by Claude Becky in
spite of what she had said and that she
WANTED to be with himl His jealous
nature inflamed by the thought. Ruth
was so chic, so smart-looking, no wonder
boob like Becky would want to make
love to her. Well, he needn t try that
on, il wouldn I work.
"Then wen accept with pleasure, y
Ruth said. She would take this opportu-
+ nifty Of seeing the kind Of places and
people Brian knew before she married
him. "What time shall you want us9''
"About seven. I'll go early and save
table. Brian knows the way
A few moments afterward they bade
Becky goodnight and left the garden.
They took a bus, which fortunately,
Ruth thcught) was 50 crowded they
conld not sit ogether.
Had a woman ever spent sneh an ev..
eninga she wondered as she sank down
into thes eat beside an old man
; Monday-Claude Becky Arranges a
Guwnr,en Fnr pn4b And nr;o.,