Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-11-18
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
THE WIFE
By Jane Phelps.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
BRIAN TALKS OF HIS HOPES AND
DIsAPPoINTMENTs TO MoLLIE
CHAPTER LxxxyII.

Ruth did not lend herself in any wa,
to the schemes her aunt had planned
Of course Mrs. Clayborne had sait
nothing of them; she was far to,
shrewd to make a faux pas of tha
kind. But whenever possible she al
voeated accepting Mandel's invitation
and was tactfally effusive when speak
ing of him to Ruth.
But Ruth was in love with Brian
Her work done, she was far happiei
with him than to be at the opera OF
anywhere else with others. So She
managed to evade most of the things
Mandel proposed, and to do it in sucf
a way he could but accede.
Brian had tried his best to be nat
ural before Ruth IS aunt; but ALWAYS
there was little constraint in their
intercourse, forced pleasantly, that
was obvious to both Of them-ahd 10
Ruth.
"Don't act afraid of Auntie!u she
said to Brian, one day. "She wou
eat YOU"
''I'm not afraid of her. but someway
feel all the time that she blames me-
for your going to work. that she dis
approves of me. as a husband for her
NIECE putting his feelings into words
for the first time in many weeks.
Nonsense! l don Il deny Aunt Lou
lisa felt so at first. You remember her
fetters. But she IS all over it, now that
she sees what my work it, how happy
| am in doing it; how cozy we are, and
how nicely we are getting along. Then,
too dear, Auntie knows that 1 love
you, that we are happy together. L
think she never quite knew how much
| cared, before" Ruth blushed as she
confessed her love for her husband.
She was naturally diffident where her
affections were concerned, and not Of
ten did she say much.
"Jltst the same she doesn't like me.
1t would have pleased her better if
you had married man like Mandel.
She's gore daffy about him, by the
way she talks"
"It isn't that, Brian" Ruth patient
ly explained, ''It is because he is so
kind to me-he makes my work so
pleasant. Aunt had an idea that all
employers were regular slave drivers.
And that employees were terribly ovel
worked and so miserable. She Is found
out she was wrong. am SO happy
that she has, and that when she goes
home she will feel differently about us
and about my. working" Then, 81
wish while she is here you would COME
over to Che shop with her. 1t seems
strange that you never have met my
boss she finished with smile.
81 don't know why | should meet
him He most likely patronize me
or try to-
"Oh no he. wouldn't, Brian. He
isn't that kind. Really he It, dear =
as she saw disbelief on Brian's face
Then / want to show you my desk. The
nice, quiet corner where | can keep
to myself"
'Perhaps-some day I'll drop in, =
he returned, and Ruth had to be con
tented. He would make no further
concession.
1t had been two weeks since Mrs.
Clayborne arrived, and she was begin
ming to talk of going home. While she
had not been able to do as she wished
about throwing Ruth with Mandel, she
was not at all disheartened.
''Time, fate, and propinquity have
been known to accomplish wonders, =
she said to herself. "They are much
together, he loves her. He IL not give
up easily"
Unfortunately, on the very day that
Mrs. Clayborpe left for home, Ruth
was once more sent out of town on a
commission. Brian at once few to
Mollie King for sympathy.
s'I've had 10 be on my good be-
havior all the time Mrs. Claybornc was
with us, then just as ! might be com
Portable again, off Ruth goes and
leaves me alone with Rachel. 1t ism t
fair to a fellowln he stormed.
''Of course it isn't! Is Ruth going
to stay long this time2'
ssHow do / know! two days oI MI
weeks It's all one to her, so long as
she is puttcring over that decorating
business! l tell you, Mollie, it has got
! .., 7 .n.,4 n hor,a my usifa q so
TO STOP. ! want .' nol.'e' aad ary r,icb,
eiety when ! so "un's . a,,S al':laran H.
as wen say IL -. M"ss na,,;a % don i
care rap for fancy things, for all the
fuss about eating aud the house. |
inst want to be comfortable and feel,
well--like / do with you. And | don 7.
I sean,t eat when | think that Ruth isl