Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-24
CHAPTER XIII

" SI1tT LEN ALL
AS THE two girls faced each other
AZ 1 Mrs. Raymond Seniors living
room there did not seem to be one point
in common between them, but II Ruth
had known It there was just one point
upon which both she and Alice would
coincide, Scots Bohemian friends. Alice
would be likely to ~disapprove of them
because hey were not conventional just
as Ruth did. but inasmuch as neither
of the girls would ever be drawn any
closer to each other by this slight bond
It need hardly be mentioned.
Alice Barry had been married W
years, and she vas, two years older than
Scott. She and Scott a never agreed
on anything. therefore when she had
gone West with her husband Scott had
not regretted her departure. She was
short and quite plump. She had sleek
brown hair and brown eyes. Ruth
thought her quite plain until she smiled
and then there was something vastly
attractive about her. She had rather a
pretty mouth with a rather full lower
lip n broad white teeth. She was not
smartly dressed in fact she looked
dowdy, although everything she had on
was of good material and she certainly
was not shabby. She had her mothers
tailored ideas without Mrs. Raymond's
frills and accessories.
Beside Alice. Ruth looked almost lux
urious. Her tawny hair was as usual,
ruined. Mrs. Raymond insisted that she
remove the small hat, and although she
demurred she was finally forced to COM
ply. Her hair was beautiful just as
Scott loved It, with a hundred high
lights and warm shadows but Ruth saw
: Alice look at 1t disapprovingly n
wished she had stopped to pin It tighter.
Ruth's clothes were. of course, perfectly
chosen, and her tall, slim young figure
looked we'll in anything; therefore the
little squirrel coatee over the simple
blue serge dress with Its round neck
looked sumptuous beside the blue satin
dress that Alice wore. Alice had obvi-
ously taken a course in home dress
making and had made her W dress,
while Ruth's clothes had been made
by some one accustomed to cutting per-
feet lines.
SCOTS greeting of Alice wal care
lessly blum. Alice's sisterly kiss was
received d~utifully by Ruth, and the four
sat down to talk n get acquainted.
Mr.. Raymond was not present and Ruth
was sorry. She liked her tall rather
Uulelly nunnOTOub ~ -li-ihW AlhSu
him much better than SCOTS mother.
with whom she never felt at ease.
Both girls were instantly p~rejudiced
against each other. for to do Mrs. Ray
mond credit she had told Alice nothing
beforehand. But Alice with the envy
IN her heart that every girl feels in the
presence OF some ono who Is better
dressed and wears her clothes incom-
parably better. instantly decided that
Ruth was frivolous and too fond OF In
c-onsequeutial things. Ruth thought
Alice dictatorial n prim. She resented
the proprietary way In which she treated
Scott, too. and hoped they would not
have to do too much for her in the way
Of entertaining.
Alice knew quite we'll what she was
about, however. She was not bowled
over by Ruth's appearance she was too
certain OF her own good points and she
had the advantage Of being In her
mothers home, II was Ruth who was
the stranger here.
"How's Herbert?' asked Scott.
rOh, just splendid. And how's every
thing with you. Scott. l haven't seen
ycu since you came back with all kinds
81 honors How does II feelT".
Alicia tots was only partly eratined
SHE had no idea Of saying enough TO
rnkko 4cttt conceltod. even though he