Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-12-21
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
THEWLFE
By Jane Phelps.
BRIAN LEAVES RUTH. SHE IS
HEARTBRoKEN.
By Jane Phelps,
CHAPTER CXvI.

hutn was glad or the interruption
and hurried Brian out to the table
where in the incredibly short time Civ.
en- her, Rachel had managed tasty
supper.
"Aren't you going to have some
toof' Brian asked, his mouth full.
"No-dear-I'm not a bit hungry
had my dinner rather late"
"Well, had mine early, and a good
one too; but | am as hungry as a bear
| wish l could be sure of someone like
Rachel to cook my meals for me for
the next few months. expect it will be
some change, all right. But what $ the
odds9 Nothing counts but just one
thing! and that is licking the Germans
to standstill. And we'll do it too,
Ruth, you see if we don tt Give me ano-
ther cup of coffee, please Rachel makes
dandy coffee. My, must hurry!" He
had again looked at his watch.
Ruth left the room a moment to wipe
her eyes, and choke back the sobs ris-
ing in her throat. When she returned
Brian said:
"Please put that picture of yourself
in my bag, Ruth. The one you had
taken before we were married. Give me
one of the latter ones toe; but you
know ! always thought that a perfect
picture of you. L don t believe anyone
of the boys will have handsomer wife
to show -
"Do you REALLY want to take my
picture, Briana" she tried to speak care
lessly, but failed. Her voice was tense,
and rather hard 81 did not think you
would care to take it."
"Not care to take It'll" note of
wonder in his voice, "Why should you
say that? There S nothing else I care
whoop about taking, but that"
Now Ruth IS tears DID fall. She rush
cd from the room, while she wrapped
the pictures Brian wanted, she again
exercised her self control to the extent
that, when he came in, he did not notice
that, for just moment or two, her en-
otion had gripped her. Had he known
that it had been all she could 90 to
keep from screaming, he would have
been utterly at loss to account for
such extreme feeling on her part.
His supper finished, he came in to
fasten his bags. That done, he looked
at his watch for the third time.
"Well, must be off, Ruth, " he said
drawing her into his arms. "Be good
to yourself, dear. If 1 didn't know
what fine little business woman you
were l should feel guilty to leave you.
But you are worth two of me when it
comes to making money, so / know you
will not suffer-"
"Money isn't everything, Brian. 1
shall be very lonely" She spoke from
the shelter of his arms.
"Yes-but have your aunt up. Now
that l shall be away, she will enjoy her
self better. The old dame never has
forgiven me for marrying you. | don It
blame her for that, but she will be glad
to have me away"
"I don't want her or anybody! 1
only want you," Ruth had given way
at last. Her body shook with sobs and
her tears fell without thought of stay
ing them.
"But dear, I shall come back soon
and with my belt hung with Hun scalps
[ hope" Brian tried to joke, but his
own voice sounded full of tears. And
he wrapped his arms more closely
about Ruth.
''But maybe you won't = come
home"
ooh, yes 1 shall. A bad egg, you
know, and also only the good die young. |
And whatever have been famed for,
it never has been goodness. So don t
order Widows weeds expecting any
chance to wear them. l only hope may |
do what it is up to me to do" his voice
suddenly grown grave, "and then i'll
doesn't really make any difference
what happens, does itg
~ suppose not--but it is hard,
Brian, awfully hard. Harder than you
know" she reiterated.
"Yes--it is always easier to be the
one to 60" then: ''but cheer up, Ruth.
Wen have those Huns licked before
you know it. l must go now. I'll run
out and say good bye to Rachel and
tell her to take good care of you; altho
there no reason for it, as she almost
you. She isn't the only one
either.''
Someway, that last sentence warm
cd Ruth S heart; and when he came
back she had put all thought of the
overhead telephone conversation from
her mind, and was only absorbed inI
duty of sending Brian away with al
she managed to do, altho
it was an effort.
ON write every chance GET" he
had said.
"Ill send you letter every steam
or, she replied.
"I'n be watching for them. Good
bye dariingl' and he was gone. For
a long time she sat by the window,
where she had watched him go down the
street, with long, swinging stride. She
wondered casually if she wouldn't have
felt happier if he had planned for her
A little. OF couse it was nice to be thot
capable, but