Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-25
CHAPTER XII

DY NIGHTFALL of that evening,
ID however, Ruth forgot the uncom-
Portable feeling that her mothers words
had left with her There were too many
things to do. Scott's coming home was
always an event to be planned for, and
they were going to entertain that eve
ming in a small way. Two Ct the old
crowd were coming in to play cards, and
there were. the refreshments to be
planned and the place to be put in order
Ruth was in the kitchen when she
heard the key turn in the lock. and she
called out merrily:
Just a second, sweetheart: I'll be
right out" The next minute, from the
murmur Cf voices, she knew that Scott
WAS not alone. and instantly she was
on the defensive. who could 1t be?
When she did appear few seconds
later she was minus her apron and quite
formal. carelessly dressed man was
with Scott, and he turned as Ruth en-
tered the room. Scott, absolutely I'M
conscious of the fact that he had done
anything wrong, introduced them gaily.
Ruth, you've never met Gene, have
you? ! want you two to be good friends.
Gene, my wife; Ruth. this is Gene Math-
ews. one of by best pals
Ruth shook hands with him stffly and
made an effort not to show how she
really felt After a minute or two she
excused herself and went back to the
kitchen, whence Scott followed her and
drew her into his arms
She pulled away from him almost in
stantly to look up into his face.
scott, is your friend going to- stay
for dinner?"
"Why, yes, I thought you wouldn't
mind. We have enough, haven't we?''
THAT isn't the point Why didn't you
let me know"
why. there wasn't a chance. I blew
into Gene en- the way up. Haven't seen
him in ages. He's an artist, you know
and lives alone. and l thought he'd like
breath of our life"
You knew, didn't you, that Angela
and Dick are coming up tonight?"
"Of course, but that doesn't matter
| does it?"
| why, Scott, of course it matters. We
were going to have such a nice lttl,
| evening at cards. / don't see how yol
could have been so utterly thCughtless.
Scott looked at her in amazement
Her face was set and a little hard. She
was allowing herself to be worked
quickly into temper, which his uttel
inability to see anything he had done
was wrong was rapidly tanning.
II can't see that 1t matters as lcni
as we have enough to eat"
But you didn't know whether we die
or not"
Il thought . could make the best o
things; l didn't dream that you woult
mind"
| Mind, of course I mind. The eve
ming is spoiled. simply spoiled" Sh
turned toward the stove to attend to th
dinner, but she could hardly see from
anger. When Scott turned stood un
certainly for a moment and then wen
back into the living room. she wa
angrier than ever. To think that Scot
could have treated her like that Tt
think that so soon he could deliberatel!
disregard thought of her to the exten
of doing what he had. Quick tear
weled up in her eyes and almost blinded
her. She was filled with self-pity. Me
chanically almost, she did what Their
was to do, and when Scott came ou
into the kitchen finally she did make al
effort to CALM herself to the extent o
not showing the stranger how she felt
Can / help?" Scott quered.
NO, everything's ready"
"Then I'll take Gere in to wash up
Ruth heard them splashing in tn
bathroom and her heart sank. She hat
worked so hard to have the place il
order for that evening. Her pretties
guest towels hung on the white-enam
eled rack The bathroom had looked
particularly sweet when she had left
last. Now with a sick remembrance o
Scott's usual procedure she had menta
picture of what it would look like afte
he and his friend were through
She hurried into the dining room AM
placed an extra plate, glass and silver