Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-12-05
The Wife.
BY JANE PHELPS
N'AHi 'N ~ -
Ruth and Brian Quarrel.
CHATTER XCN.

IL gave Brian reasOn to object to any
questions she might ask. she knew
his Jealous nature well enough by
thls time to be aware that he would
take full advantage OF her action.
Nefther said anything until they
were inside the apartment. Then
Ruth spoke:
Il came homo last night, Brian. /
wanted TO surprise you, but
you haven't surprised mo blt!"
nc interrupted In a tone that cut
her Ike a knife. 81 have known for
long time that Mandel was in love
with yOui In fact have been
warned that he would take you
from Inc. For all know, he has"
"Oh, Brian!" IL was inonstrOus
that he should talk so TO her, II
felt sick because | was up all night
worrying about you. and he offered
10 send me home. let him because
l ielt so weak and faint"
Yes"
That was all! Just yes" Ruth
blt her lip until Il bled, to keep back
the angry retorL Then, unable to
control herself longer, she asked
abruptly:
Where were you last night,
Brlan2 2"
Deliberately Brian took off his
coat. and hung It up. Then he
looked steadily at her as he replied:
You have no right to question
mo You go away and leave me
alone. You ride around in another
mans car. You do as you please,
30 do /. IL dinner is ready, suppose
we eat i have an engagement"
Rnth was amazed. Was this man,
speaking to her like this. her Brian
the man who loved her, and whom
she loved? He had put her in the
wrong, so making 1t impossible for
her to say anything as long as he
TOOK that attitude toward her. so
sch followed him into the table trem-
oIlng and aching TO have a good cry.
After Rachel left the room she
tried again:
IL found the blotter with which
you blotted your note-yOur note to
Mollie King" she had mentioned the
name on impulse; but his quick
flush, his look Of guilt, his muttered
ohth, showed plainly that she was
right In her surmise.
Well" He was determined to
talk In monosyllables
Don't you think that after fnd-
ing that. you owe me some eXplana-
ton OF where you were last nlght2"
No | don't! You are in love with
that Mandel and he with you! | owe
you nothing! But / do owe Molhe
something and l cannot let her rest
under your imputation. She Is fair
and above-bOard, even II you-my
Wife--are not. was with a bunch
OF Canadian officers who are going
overseas. 1t was almost morning
when we stopped talking and /.
bunked In with one OF them. IL you
would deign to telegraph me when
you are Intending to favor me with
your presence, perhaps | would be
mere to welcome you" the last sneer-
ingly. Then. You probably tele-
graphed Mandel."
This time 1t was Ruth who flushed
guilitly. she had wired MandeL
Il thought so,' Brian said in a
fierce tone. He was trying hard to
keep his temper.
And you weren't with Mollie
King last night, in spite Of that
note?" Ruth asked, her lip quiver-
ing,
Yes, was with her. We had din
ner together, and jolly little din
ner 1t was too. There are women
who appreciate my society. you see.
even II you do not. But left Miss
ANAAb ~ NAVNh OHh went Win tic
Canuks. I tell you this because OF
Mollle; not to please you" He rose
from the table, put on his hat and
left the house. Ruth had tried to
speak, tried to call him back, but
she could not Her tears flowed
fast as she threw herself on TO her
bed and sobbed out her misery.
He never had been exactly as he
had that night. That sarcasm was
new TO him. also the bravado with
which he confessed to having been
with Mollle King. Surely she hadn't
deserved to be treated as she had
angry, She knew he had been awfully
anghy when he saw her in Manders
car; that he had been Jealous too.
But even that was no excuse for the
way he had talked. She had ex-
planned that she was III, and that
was the reason Mandel had sent her
home.
Then she had flushed whom he ac-
cused her OF wiring Mandel. AL
though she had not answered him,
she was sure Brian was satisfied he
had guessed right. Oh, II was all
such a muddle And now he had
gone out again and left her. She
wondered IL he we're with Mollie
again. Perhaps he had gone to her
for sympathy, He always acted
abused, childishly so, when anything
went wrong between them.
Ruth wished she had not come
home That she had remained away
the entire time she had planned.
Had she done so, Brian would have
expected her, and they would both
have been saved all this. Then came
another thought: IL Bryan were 80
careful OF Mollle that he would not
allow her to be placed in a false
light, he must be terribly fond OF her.
He had humbled his pride to ex-
plain where he had been, rather
than have Mollie suspected OF an in
discretion,
Brian Refuses to Make Up, Though
Ruth Bcgs Him To.
CHAPTER XCVI.
In the midst OF Ruths misery
there was projected the thonght of
her employers kindness and
thoughtfulness. For the first time
there crossed her mind something
like wish that Brian was more like
him. Mandel was so dependable.
and Brian so erratic. How she hated
that crowd which were, In her
thoughts, represented by Mollie King
and Claude Becky. She blamed
them for Brians detection, for all his
unstable ways. instead OF blaming
Brian himself.
1t was getting late, Where had