Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-10-28

i the highest paid woman, consequently
4 the most valuable one in his employ.
He probably figured that her strength
was worth more to him than the price
Of the taxis.
Her helplessness as regarded Brian IS
intimacy with Mollie King, sent her
heart down sickeningly.. Yet she well
knew that any false move on her part
while she kept her position-would
make breach between them. That it
was already there, she would not admit
even to herself.
She had forgotten paper she wished
to take with her, so after getting her
bag, and giving Rachel directions for
brian s comfort while she was away,
she went back to the store to secure it..
Mr.. Mandel found it for her, then said:
"You have been working hard late.
ly, worrying a little, too, fear. You
have shown it, he answered her ques-
tioning look. "Now, my dear Mrs.
HacSett, my best interests can only be
served when you are feeling at your
best, mentally and physically. You've
learned play spell. Take a couple of
days and go to the Springs ''--he named
a famous resort near the city she was
to visit" Here is extra monsy 4er
your expense while there. Don't hesi-
tate TO take it, you have earned It."
+" Oh, but eouldn 'tlN
"You couldn't. Whyf"
ooh, couldn't stay away from
Brian, Mr.. Hackett, just to have good
time at some fashionable resort That
wouldn It be fair. 1t is hard enough for
him when l am on business. Thank you
just the same, Mr.. Mandel, but will
come directly home when finish the
work.
Ruth had spoken with feeling. There
had been no hesitation III either her
speech or her manner Yet the Idea had
wonderful appeal for her; there had
been much to attract her in the PROPOSE.
tion. 1t sounded like rest and also
recreation, both of which she knew she
needed. Not so much because Of her
work, as because Of her almost constant
worry over Brian, and his attitude to.
ward her.
81 am sorry you feel you can't take
IA rest, Y was all Mandel said, as he
laid the envelope he had Offered upon
his desk.
s !.
"Please do not think me ungrateful.
You arc very kind to me. Ruth had
not intended to show any feeling, but
his thoughtfulness had touched her
deeply, and there were tears in her
eyes when she raised them to his.
Z" / never think of any but kind
thoughts of you, little lady, he re.
piled, with the nearest touch Of com
cradle in his tones he had allowed him.
self.
Ruth thought only Of Brian, as the
train carried her away from New York.
because of his constant fault finding on
account Of her work, his sensitiveness
to his status in the household Ruth
had not found the spirit to praise and
encourage him of late as she used to
do when they were first married.
Nor was Ruth the only one who found
the tension under which they lived,
hard to bear. That he no longer had
Ruth's outspokeh encouragement to
hearten him, to urge him on, was hard
for Brian He had sort Of depended on
her checrfulness when things went
wrong, or were slow at the office,
Hc lived mostly on hope, in these days;
clients were few, pay (when he did find
one) uncertain. Ruth S cheer was bad
ly needed.-And Mollie King was al
ways sympathetic, always cheerful.
Arrived at her destination, Ruth sent
a message to Brian before she left the
station. Just a few words "Arrived
safely. Love. But she sent it happi-
", hoping because of his tenderness
when she parted from him that it would
find him at home eating the dinner Ra-
chel would have ready.
A man S conscience perhaps won.
ans also-is' very elastic. When she
was with him, or when, as just before
She left his office, Ruth showed her
love for him so plainly Brian made all
sorts Of good resolutions.
Z So he had this time when Ruth left
the office. T"
"I'll behave myself this time and
eat at hame,' he said aloud as he put
away the papers over which he had
been working. cts lonesome az the
devil But Ruth is good sort. I"
That Rachel was also an excellent
cook may have something to do with
his determination to go home to his
dinner.
Tonorow--Brian Tempted, Spends
tht Evening With Mollie King.
FROM HUBBARD BOYS.