Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-12-23

up the receiver, then sank upon the
floor in an agony of spirit, and sobbed
out er misery, her love and her longing
until Rachel, hearing, came and put her
to bed.
The next morning the postman
brought her hastily scribbled note
from Brian: ~.
"Don It fret, Ruths Everything will
come out all right am just going
aboard, and will give this to someone
to mail. shall love you every minute
and shall write you as often as l can.
Brian.
Ruth read and reread the short note,
finding comfort in spite of its BRIEF
ness. Then as she idly turned the en-
velope over she saw it had been mailed
at one of the terminal stations over two
hours after Brian had left her.
Had the man carried it around In his
pocket, or had it been posted as sooli
as Brian gave it to himq How she
wished she knew. But now she never
would know. She'd probably die, and
then Brian would be free, she thought,
with an historical burst of self pity.
But she must not give way to her
feelings She must work and savs,
against the time when she would he idle
So she dried her eyes and was at the
shop at the usual time.
Mr.. Mandel remarked upon ner paic'
ness. She told him that she had not
slept that Brian had gone very late
the night beforc-gone overseas. one
did not understand the look which
swept over his face; it seemed as II
he were glad Of something 1t was
gone so quickly, and in its place came
the sympathetic expression she knew SO
well.
"We must not let you be Lonely, now
that he is gone" Mandel said, after
u moment. "He is very fortunate 10
be young enough to fight"
"Yes-he thought So"
That night Ruth wrote her aunt a
long letter. She told of Brian s going,
also she told her the secret she mad
withheld from. Then she said:
when you can arrange your affairs
for an absence, won't you conc and
stay several weeks, or months if you
will, with mes am very lonely. l
shall be more so. Please come, Aunt
Louisa. | iced you more than anyone
else in the world needs you. 4 shall
look anvlously for letter telling me
you will come-and when. f"
After she had posted this letter Ruth
felt better. There was comfort in tho
thought that there was someone who
cared; someone who would be interest
ed in her. And there was--Arthur Man
del. She recalled the sympathy express
ed in his face when she had told him
she was to be alone now. She must
take good care of her health, not fret
any more than she could avoid, so that
she would be able to return to work as
soon as possible after her baby came
the child of whom Brian knew nothing,
and which, because of the sound of Mol
lie Kings voice, she had not told him
But unable to longer restrain herself
because of her longing for understand
ing, she told Rachel The old nurse
petted and fused over her to her hearts
content. She begged her to give up her
position and remain at home; but Ruth
laughed at her, and told her that she
sheuld 60 mad at home with nothing
to do but think of Brian so far away.
The submarine menace was growing
hourly, and she had that fear to add
to her sorrow. Longingly she scanned
the papers for news. Then one morn
ing she received the card saying they
had arrived safely Somewhere at a
French port"
That night Ruth knelt down and
thanked God for his safety, and pray
cd that he might come back TO her.
Tomorruw--Rush goes out with her
Employer.