Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-11-30


resolves 10 stay away from Mollie
while Ruth was away.
Brian determines to Sec MandCl.
CHAPTER J.NXNIN.
Brian tried TO put what Becky
had said out or his mind. but vainly.
He had said that Maude would cut
him out II he didn't take care. Of
Ruth. THAT handsome WIFE OF
yours" had been the way he spoke
Of her. From the very first day that
Ruth had gone to work, Brian had
folt smolderlnE jealousy Of Mandel
ono occasion. he had put 1t into
words as when Ruth's salary had
been raised the first time. lie had
always been suspicious that Mandel
paid her liberallv because he was in
love with her Brian never had un-
derrated Ruths attractions. and now.
after Beckly's tactless speech was
inclined TO Overrate them.
% Bcckly"' no calculated after
he had tossed and tumbled for
an hour, unable to sleep. And
d Mandel, They think am
easy, hut they'll find out before II
through with them" Just why ~
should associate Becky and Mand"l
In his feeling regarding Ruth, il
would have been hard to say or
course Becky was Jealous Of him
because Mollie preferred him. "Why
shouldn't she?' he said to himself
with his usual cgotism, Mollie had
some sense. She was discriminat-
ing kid. But, try as he would to
dismiss them, Beckly's words per-
sisted in haunting and dlsquieting
him.
He never had seen Mandel to
know him in spite OF Ruth's oft
repeated request that he come to
the shop. lie would make II a point
to see him while Ruth was away.
Becky had called him her swell
boss; II was belittling to have his
wife spoken of as having a boss. "
at least any but him. He'd punch
Beckly's head the next time he
came near him.
But all his resolves helped not at
all as far as sleeping was concerned: /:
and Brian lay awake nearly all night
thinking, wondering one minute IL
he had cause to be jealous of Man
del; the next, deciding thai he did,
and that Ruth must leave imme-
dlately she came home.
He was so Erouchy at breakfast
that Rachel grumbled TO herself, in
the kitchen;
Hes stayin' out too late. He
amt up to no good doin' so. when
missy Ruth is done gon' away"
I'm be home to dinner, Rachel" ,"
he said shortly as he started for the
office.
AN right, Massa Hackett,
RacheIl give you de hes dinner she
kin. she sho'ly will" pleased that
he was coming home. The old
negress was often lonely when Ruth
was away, and although Brian didn't
visit with her as Ruth did. 1t was
someone In the house, and therefore
company for her.
Have dinner at seven" he said,
then almost repented that he had
told Rachel he would come home.
1t would be horribly lonely eating
alone.
lie left the office. however, about
four-thirty. Ruth had told him that
Mandel usually remained until six
O'Clock, But he wasn't going to
take any chances He'd locate the
fellow, then II Ruth was ever with
him he couldn't be deceived He
had known Of Mandel taking Ruth
and her aunt to lunch: OF the opera
tickets, etc. But he had laid II all
to his desire to impress Mrs. Clay
borne, very wealthy woman. who
might in the future become a Gus
toner Someway. while her aunt
had been with her, no had had no
thought Of being jealous OF MandeL
Perhaps because OF Ruth's absolute
taking II for granted that he would
he pleased at the attention Of her
aunt, their guest.
Brian reached the block upon
which Mandels shop was situated
before he remembered that he had
formed no plans as to how he should
find out who was Mandel-how he
was to diffcrcntiate him from the
men he employed.
Hating opposite, he walked back
and forth several times. Finally he
crossed the street and spoke to the
carriage man who stood near the
curb
Has MIR. Mandel gone home yet ,"
he asked WITHOUT too much interest.
'No sir! he will be going in few
minutes. That's his car"
Very we'll lI' smoke while
wait" Brian said then walked leis-
urcly away When the fellows back
was turned he stationed himself In
a doorway next the shop where he
could both see and hear without any
danger OF being observed.
He had waited but a few moments
when he saw man leave the shop
lie was shorter than himself. but so
well-Eroomcd with manner Of
such assurance, that II did not
need the mention OF his name OF the
man to assure him that
Mandel had at last appeared
"Ruth's swell boss" he exclaimed
as he watched Mandel seat
himself in his car. and give orders
to me chauffeur Even the respect
ful way the man touched his hat,
Brian took as personal affront All
those things were what Ruth had
been accustomed to before he took
her from her home where servants
did her bidding. aud where she was
q pampcrCd woman instead of "A
working one. He ground his teeth
sHvaGcly rs he swung up the avenue ,
IN the wake Of the car.
tn lT tpHtiDnpA