Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-08-29
RUTH IS TOLD SHE SHOULD USE
HER TALENT.
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.
Nothing lOath, Ruth changed her
dress and they walked to the mex.
corner where there was q restaurant.
1t was an expensive place. but, AZ
Brian explained:
"A rarebit is no good in a cheap
place They just can make them 50
they won t string We won have any
but that and a bottle of beer We
don I come often, you know"
Ruth was in no mood to eayil at
anything But she couldn't help but
think that they wouldn't have been
there then, had it not been for the
money she had earned by doing the
work for her aunt, instead Of its
having been given to a decorator
They had been seated but for a mo-
ment, when she heard Brian exclaim:
"By Georgel if there ism Kenneth
Page Excuse me a minute, Ruth
Ruth s eyes followed Brian as he
hurried to a table at some distance
from them She saw him engage in
an animated conversation with a good
looking man a little older thon him
self; then they both came over to
her
Ruth let me introduce Mr. Page,
an old college ehum of mine, even
if he did graduate about the time l
entered. Sit down, Page. We're 60
ing to have a rarebit. Dined at home,
but you know how it is-one likes to
get out occasionally
Mr.. Page had acknowledged the in
PRODUCTION very pleasantly. Ruth felt
his keen blue eyes appraising her, her
costume. She knew she was correctly
gowned, and felt a thrill of pleasure.
Her clothes were so elegant; so un-
questionably the latest mode; that the
most critical could find no fault with
them.
"Have a rarebit, too, Page, or will
you have something else2'' Brian ask.
ed gracefully, playing the host.
"l'n have the rarebit, thank you,h
he replied, adding that it was an un.
expected pleasure to meet some one
he knew.
page is a bachelor Brian ex-
planned to Ruth. She thought him a
most attractive one, but refrained from
saying 50. He was very blonde, but
still manly looking. He had perfect
manners, and it really was a relief to
have a third one in the party. Had
onyone said that Ruth wanted to talk
to anyone but Brian, she would have
been surprised and shocked. But the
little tilt over the dinner, had left
them both rather quiet. And Kenneth
Page was exerting himself to be ente-
tanning.
81 wonder where Hackett found her;
a sumner! Bet she brought him
money! he said to himself as he look
ed at her expensive clothes and the
jewelry which was in such perfect
In a way, Ruth sensed his thoughts
and it. made her uncomfortable. She
had the right to wear what she pleased
whether Brian could afford it or not.
Her clothes were her own; her aunt
had given them to her. Then her
thoughts were interrupted. She heard
her husband say
"My wife is crazy over all that
stuff; you'll have to talk to her. l
am absolutely ignorant on the sub
ieet.'
"What subject, B~rian?' Rath ask
she hated to hear him belittle him
self.
"Interior decorating. Page is a dee.
orator, and has just received importa-
SO he says. It's all Greek to
me, as you know
Ruth was az once interested, and
it plainly in her face as she
TO Kenneth Page. Bachelor,
iilettante, society's fayorite and a dee
For an hour they talked. II Ruth
was interested, Page was surprised.
Fhe breadth of her knowledge; her
appreciation Of materials and stuffs;
her acquaintance with the modes and
architecture of different periods, was
most unusual
"You are q STUDENT he declared,
"Of that particular subject, yes, Ny
lunt, with whom | lived, allowed me
10 purchase everything published on
he subject, then let me experiment
With her home"
81 should like 10 see il, - he return
d simply-the woman forgotten, in his
interest in what she could do.
Its a peach.N Brian interrupted,
"a perfect peaehl IN bet you haven I
man on yoVr staff who could i'm
PROVE on it,. he finished proudly.
why don't you give something of
iueh a talent 10 the world Isn't Il