Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-05
CHAPTER XXI

CtlAGlElS MI
TNHEY found the hotel long wooden
l. structure with n bar at the side. The
office was half filled with loungers, who
looked at Ruth and Scott curiously. A
fire burned in an old-fashioned stove,
and beyond a glimpse could be had or
the dining room. II was a typical |
country hotel, and Ruth had never been
In one before.
She stood uncomfortably while Scott
registered for both Of them, and uncon-
sciously her mind few back to the first
night they were married and how
frightened she had been when she had
gone into the New York hotel with Scott.
How different this was, how unpleas-
antly different Gone was the elation
she had felt outside III the country twi-
light. Certainly Scott could never call
this romantic.
But there was no dimming Of his en-
thuslasm as he turned toward her.
Shall we 60 upstairs now? Supper
will be ready at SIX"
Ruth followed him UP the velvet
carpeted stairs. To be sure, the velvet
carpet ended just above tho first landing
and. n thin ingram was substituted.
Their room was a corner one and large.
1t had n certain honely comfort that
was surprising in Il place Of the kind,
and the bed looked fairly good.
Scott dropped the bags and turned
to her eagerly. Isn't it great to get
away" he exclaimed.
Ruth went over to the window and
peeped out through the cheap lace cur
tain. Already the feeling of adventure
that Scott had inculcated in her was
beginning to fade, above all when she
cav that a light rain had begun to fall.
"Do you know it's raining?"
rs It? Well, we don't mind, do We?
It's an adventure just the same. Let's
20 down and see what they have to eat.
All can think Of just now is good
| square meal"
Ruth, without removing her hat, fol-
| lowed him down the stairs and into the
dining room. There were only Few
people seated at the different tables,
| and Scott and Ruth sat down at a table
near the door. A rosy-cheeked girl
| brought them food in lots OF little bird
bathtubs. The meat was fried steak.
cut very thin. 1t was a typical country
meal but Scott ate ravenously. After
ward they went out to the porch that
ran around the old building. The rain
had stopped and the country doomed up
| green and fresh. A mist hung over
everything. giving it a fairylike look.
Lets go for a walk" said Scott,
eagerly.
"Oh. but, Scott--my shoes"
SCOTS face fell then frightened
! again. Cant you borrow pair
! Why DIDN'T you think to bring an old
pair so that we could tramp?'
why, because I'm not dressed to
tramp and l couldn't possibly bring
tramping clothes in travelling bag"
well, ask that nice-looking waitress
II she will let you have q pair"
Scott" expostulated Ruth, you
| know / wouldn't wear her shoes. Be-
sides" she added. they probably
wouldn't lt me-"
Would it hurt your shoes very much ?
Look, it's drying up out there" Scotts
| tone of voice was boyishly wistful. If
Ruth had listened to the infection In it
she would have compiled Instantly, for
she really loved him, but, instead. she
was looking down at her high-heeled,
brown kid oxfords, with their fawn-col-
| ored spats. and was instantly irritateS
that Scott should want her to tramp in
| them. Why was he so different from
other men--so utterly impractical?
AS they stood hesitating girl came
out on the porch and walked SLOWLY
over to the edge where they stood. Rutf
glanced at her Curiously, but Scott, aftel
n glance, walked over to her with q