Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-10-15

"Claude is about as famous char
acter as we have,p Mollie said with a
mischevous glance at Becky, "He both
writes and paints"
EHow interesting" murmured Ruth
thinking if he didn't write more SEN
sibly than he talked, it might account
in part for his frayed appearance.
eyes, you must get him to write
some poetry-not for you, but to you'
Mollie added, her eyes twinkhng
Evidently she sees through his pre-
tense as well as I, Ruth thought, and
was rather pleased that the woman
whom her husband admired was not
dense. 1t would be impossible to be at
all at her ease with stupid woman.
She would not know what to say to
her.
The only time she had seen Mollie,
she had thought her very pretty and
bright. 1t had been at the dinner Mrs.
Curtis gave. But now she was more
critical. She wanted to know well, this
woman whom Brian seemed to like so
much. Not that she wished for any in
timacy; that was farthest from her
thoughts. She wanted to understand her
character-her point of view.
So as Mollie told her of the differ
ent people dining, she watched her
while she listened. Mollie's speech,
while in way refined and showing
education, was plentifully sprinklod
wit gay, innocuous sort Of slang that
gave it point. She occasionally told a
story about some one of whom she was
speaking, and told it well. Ruth had
to acknowledge, even before the dinner
was scarcely commenced, that Mollie
King was an interesting talker and
would prove a delightful companion to
any man if she was so inclined.
Yes, she must not underrate Mollie,
she thought, as she turned to reply to
some remark Of her host.
"It's jolly, having you here!" she
heard Brian say as soon as her atten-
tion was obviously taken by Becky.
"Claude is terribly hit with Mrs.
Hackett. He raved before you came. y
"Fooll "
"Not sauce for the goose, eh,
Brian 2"
''Not on your life!'
Brian IS answer was so emphatic Mol
lie laughed gayly. But Ruth felt com
forted. She had heard every word. If
Brian loved her well enough to be so
jealous of her, he would hesitate long
before he did anything really wrong.
The thought made her happier than she
had been since Becky had joined them
on the Roof Garden te night before.
Brian was silly, of course, to be jeal.
Gus of anyone; but of a man like
Claude Beckly--it was really ridiculous
Then came the thought. If l am at
tractive to others, perhaps he will care
for me more as | want him to; hesitate
to leave me or to take the risk of MAX
ing me angry by being so much with
Mollic. SO she commenced to talk with
Becky, simply laughing at his extra
VACANT compliments, and leaving Mol
lie and Brian to entertain each other.
With little smile, she saw Brian get
ting restless. Occasionally he would
break into the conversation with some
inpatient remark when Becky had been
particularly fulsome. Finally he said;
"Here, you two! this dinner is a
foursome Suppose we talk about some
thing in which we are all interested" "
cor suppose we finish our dinner
and then dance2' Mollie broke in.
"Oh, dol' Ruth agreed at once She
knew she was good dancer, and she
loved to dance. To tell the truth, she
was becoming tired of Beekly's com
pliments.
HThank the gods can dance" Beck
ly said so fervently they all laughed
Ruth danced first with him, then with
Brian. When it came time to go, acting
on the spur Of the moment, she invit.
ed both Becky and Mollie King to dine
with them week from that night
Gwen be there, won't we Mollie, y
Claude askedl
'Indeed we will, and thank you! .
Mlolie said graeiOusly, but with look
than Ruth could not fathom; loOB
directed at her.
| (Tomorrow-Happy Days Follow The
Dinner In The Yillage.)