Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-09-09
Observation-Disclosures.
RUTH DISCOVERS THAT TRAVEL
ING is PART OF HER WORK.
CHAPTER XXVu

AhAE EN- AAh IL. ---.--.- -------
When Brian had left, Ruth opened
her letter. As she expected, Mrs. Clay
borne was both shocked and surprised
Not only that, she was undoubtedly
angry.
Ii your husband can't support you
come home. Don't disgrace us all by
joining that class of vulgar women
who want to usurp mems places in
the world. There are men enough to
do the kind of work you are doing
Had l dreamed you would put youl
knowledge to such a use, never should
have allowed you to acquire it. 1t was
all well enough for you to decorate
my rooms, here in the home that had
always been yours, but to go to work
in shop, side by side with men, is
beyond all deceney. That a niece of
mine should so degrade herself and
me, is beyond my comprehension.
There was much more, all in the
same strain, and the letter wound up
with a repetition of her invitations;
Remember what | said! If Brian
Haekett can't support you, pack your
trunk and don t let me hear any moro
nonsense.
Ruth laughed then she cried over
them. Anr it was a very sober Ruth
she had expected, but now that it
came she was hurt and disappointed.
No one believed in her, in her ability
to do things. Or if they did, they
didn t want her to do them. She rea-
lized that her aunt, like Brian, weuld
rather she washed dishes and do the
menial work of her own kitchen than
to work among surroundings that were
constant delight, just because they
had foolish old-fashioned ideas about
women working for others.
She would have them both to fight,
she thought, as she tore the letter in
tiny bits Well she would, if she had
to- Certainly she would never give up
work in which she was happy, just
because they thought it beneath her
Yet between them they had taken all
the zest from her happiness, all the
enthusiasm she would have shared with
tenn. And it was very sober Ruth
who left for the office a few moments
later; it scarcely seemed the same per
son who, the night before, had hurried
home, her eyes dancing with JOY, her
lips wreathed in smiles because of the
good news she was anxious to share
with Brian.
But once in the shop, all was for
gotten in her absorption in her work.
The "Cary house" at Newport had
been turned over to her almost en-
to consult with Jules La
Monte if she found herself in need
of advice. 1t was big, and an inn
portant piece of work. The entire
house was to be redecorated and re-
furnished. Also the entire scheme of
the rooms was to be changed.
"Oh, what a chance!'' she had ex-
claimed when she was told it was to
be cher job"
Yes, Mrs. Hackett, it is chance.
And a task that Mr.. Mandel would
not intrust to you did he not think
you entirely capable. But if L can
help you, do not hesitate to call on
me. There may. be details you do not
yet understand. "
'Thank you Mr.. La Monte, | surely
shall need your help. 1t is prodig-
lous piece of work; and / appreciate
Mr. Mandel's faith in me, my ability,
more than l can express. "
'"'It' $ like some sort Of soothing
plaster, after the way Brian and Aunt
Louisa acted, " she murmured when La
Monte had left her alone with the
plans of the house But few min
ltes later she felt anything but sooth-
ed when he came and told her that
Mr.. Mandel was going to Newport to
look over the house and grounds and
wished her to go with him.
"'You will have time to go home
md pack your bag. OF course you
can t get back until late tomorrow
night-maybe not then. III have a
-axi called for you. Keep it while
you pack, and then drive directly to
-he station. Don't look so non-plus
sed!' he laughed, "after you have
been here a while longer you will be-
'Ollle dCcuSlOlhcu " lhSSN huiAANh - -
Miss Candee called herself the Light
ming Bug because of the haste with
which he sometimes required her to
take long journeys for the house.
The mention of "Miss Candee" her
predecessor, acted like tonic upon
Ruth. She had been terribly taken
lback when La Monte told her she
was to 60 away OF a moment 5 notice
was to leave Brian alone in the
flat while she was away on business
With her employer. But anything Miss
Candee had done, she could and would
10. Even to being lightning bug
f necessary, she thought.
every well, Mr.. La Monte" and,
rising Immediately, she got her hat,
hen asked. "Shall | take these9"
NMr. Mandel will have all that is
necessary. The taxi is waiting. You
nave no time to spare he finished as
he told her the time the train left.
Ruth didn t feel as quiet as she ap-
peared. Her mind was in turmoil