Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-10-23
The Wife.
Claude Bccklcy Enlightens Ruth ns
Brian's Whereabouts.

BY JANE PHELPS

Ruth hurried home as soon as
noon came. Crawford gave her a
light luncheon. then gratefully went
home for the day.
oh. how good IL seemed TO be
home for a whole afternoon. Ruth
went from room to room, doing lit
tie things here and there; moving
the furniture around: fussing Just
as every woman loves to fuss-if she
doesn't have to do it too often.
Wouldn't Brian be surprised, when
he came home to find she had had
half "A day off? Perhaps she better
telephone him. He might come home
real early. then they could dress and
make "A party OF III Go to some nice
place for dinner and to play after
ward.
she waited until about half past
four. then she called the office where
he had desk room. The stenogra-
pher answered.
put Mr.. Hackett on the wire,
please. This is his wife"
MIR. Hackett isn't In. He went
out to his luncheon and hasn't re-
turned. I'll tell him II he comes In;
but he isn't likely to come back to-
day" the girl volunteered.
Ruth tried to be sensible. Brian
had probably gone out on a matter
OF business. But in spite OF herself
she pictured him as lunchIng with
Mollio King, then-but he wouldn't
spend the entire afternoon away
from the office with her--Jhe was
getting silly. allowing herself to be
so jealous OF that King girl.
II was long after six when Brian
came in.
II telephoned you dear. The girl
said you hadn't been back since
noon. had an afternoon off and
thought we could go out to dinner,
and go to n play, Shall we? Well
have to get dinner out, for | gave
Crawford the day off"
Ruth noticed Brian flush when
she told him the girl said nc had not
been back; but she determined not
to notice II.
I'm broke" he said shortly,
Wen have to eat what's in the ice
box"
We'll, I'm not-that IL. not quite,
Here's enough for dinner anyway"
1t was her last IS bill, but her weeks
salary was due on the morrow, She
couldn't help wondering what he
had done with the $40 she had
slipped into his vest pocket only the
day before. Perhaps he had been
with Mollic King, after all,
1T won't he much moro II we
don't eat very much" he said un-
graciously. as he took the bill and
tucked II into his pocket III food
goes up much higher we'll have to
live without eating" Ruth couldn't
quite see point. as she had paid tho
house bills over since they had
moved. Brian had spent nothing
save for electricity, gas, etc The
rent would soon he due again. Would
he let her pay It?
"Well | can cat my half Of II. I'm
starved" she said, laughing rather
nervously She would not make him
angry: and she would have pleas
ant evening She was fast learning
that being tactful is not the easiest
thing in the world.
At seven they started out They
had decided on roof garden.
Mighty little to spend in such a
place" Brian had growlcd, but Ruth
only laughed at him.
Wen make II do" she said.
Could she have known that most
Of the ten dollars had, that after
noon ntfU spent on q luuNneOn lot
himself and Mollic King. she might
have felt too annoyed to laugh. And
had she known that they had sat
OVER that luncheon for the entire
afternoon. she would have felt more
like crying,
Brian felt a little ashamed as nc
took the bill. her last, She had been
mighty good about Mollic. Had made
hardly any fuss. although ne knew
she had been hurt. He mustn't do II
again, He'd not take Mollie out un-
less Ruth were away; then ne would
use his own money.
Ruth had made such a point that
tho money they each brought IN was
70 be considered family affair. that
gradually Rrian's attitude toward
using anything she earned had
changed. OF course she was right
II she insisted upon being an equal
partner. why. he couldn't object. Yet
he had a sense OF shame when ne
accepted money she had earned
more so when he knew he had
spent II making another woman have
good time.
Il wish I had known where you
we're lunChinR today. I might have
Joined YOU" Ruth said as they rode
down town on the bus.
Brian shivered AT his narrow es-
cane. And changed the subject
When they arrived at the roof
ryar1Nn found