Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-08-21

Ruth to do as she pleased with her
half, Brian to have the same privilege.
''But, dear, we haven Z counted a
penny for outing or theaters, she
said, when finally they got up to re-
tire.
" No, ] guess Wen have to do with
out many tbeaters for a while. We II
go to the movies occasionally, and if
we DO go to the theater we will each
pay for our own tieket.''
"Oh, how funnyl" and Ruth laugh
ed Historically. Not that she really
thought it funny, but that it seemed
so utterly incongruous. The idea that
she should buy her own ticket, and
he his, out of their part of the mea,
gre amount left for clothes, etc, made
her hysterical
" How long do you think it win be,
Brian, before you can earn moref,j
she asked soberly, the next morning
at breakfast. She had eaten nothing,
neither had she slept. She was be-
ginning to realize that, even tho she
loved him and was willing to econo-
mize, that unless he quickly brought
in more money they could scarcely
afford to live in the, to her, mean
little place they now occupied. "Oh,
very soon. shall get some paying
eases before long There's man
down ON Long Island owes me little
money, III try to collect that. Is
there anything particular you want
right awayln
"NO, dear, but ! We been thinking.
You see, our clothes will soon be
shabby ana out Of style. We will have
to buy new ones. We can possibly
buy clothes on what you earn now. .
Don I cross bridges until you come
to them. | don't see but we are
pretty well fixel. BY the time we need
clothes, we II be able to have them.
Ruth bit her lip, and said no more.
And not even Brian compliment be-
cause of her improved breakfast, could
bring smile to her face.
Brian really meant what he said.
He didn I see but that they were
pretty well fixed He never had been
accustomed to luxury, and the neat,
simply-furnished rooms, with the dainty
muslin curtains at the windows and
sott-toned rag rugs on the floor, the
chairs, big table-which,
after dinner was cleared away, they
used as q reading table-seemed to
him all that was necessary for com
fort Brian thought great deal OF
that; his comfort Had he not, per
haps he might have been more success.
ful in business way. But ''man-
mana was always on his lips Never
was he in hurry to accomplish any
thing; another day was coming, he
would do it then.
He had very optimistic nature,
and way of impressing people who
did nos know him. fostering in them
the belief that he would accomplish
great things. But Mrs. Clayborne had
seen the weakness in his character,
and had feared for Ruth 5 happiness
because Of it.
Had Brian been, or had Mrs. Clay
borne thought him, more stable, she
would not 80 much have minded his
poverty. and she would have assisted
him and Ruth until such a time as
they could get along alone. But she
sensea his weakness, and felt sure that
sooner or later Ruth would wake up
TO the sort of man she had married
aaa come back home. Not that Mrs.
Jaayhorne thought Brian a bad man.
she didn't And he WASH Il but she
did sense his limitations. He was, he
always would he. a financial faiure-s0
sho thought. And so, after month
ar tive 81 life in New York, had Ruth
begun to think.
II was so belittling, Ruth thought,
to count every penny. Yet, never did
she voice q complaint. She went 70
market in all the bravery of her ex-
pensive gowns, carrying a basket, and
bought a little Of this, and little Of
that, and. as Mrs Marphy said, slug
ped il home F"
To say Ruth was happy, would not
be true. Il would be equally untrue
10 say she.was unhappy az this time.
She was still very mgsh in love with
Brian; yet she often spent nearly her
sntire day weeping. Ecr Surroundings
n spite Of all she could do. depressed
Aar. she l0ngea for she aaiasy, bean
aful things 10 which she, all her hfe.
Aza been accustomed.
To nsorrov.-Mrs Clayhorne sends
Tor Rath. she has decided 10 redec