Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-28
And So They
Were Married
By HAZEL DEYO BATCHELOR
Copvrfobt. 1919, by Public Ledger Co.
START THIS STORY TO-DAY

I
anxiety must have shown in her face
for after a moment Fleta spoke.
rs anything wrong
Il don't know. Will you excuse me
moment please?"
! She hoped vaguely that Fleta might
take the hint and go, but, instead she
Simply inclined her head and settled
back in her chair
Ruth hurried into the bedroom and
closed the door behind her. Scott was
standing over by the window looking
, out. and he turned as she hurried over to
him. The light was dim and Ruth could
not see his face plainly, but she knew
that something was wrong.
She went close to him and held her
face up for him to kiss. As usual his
arms went around her and for moment
he held her close.
What is it, dear" she asked then,
pulling away from him. why didn't
you come in? It's not like you to do
this"
Il knew that some one was in there
and 7 simply didn't feel like chatting
lightly tonight"
A cold hand seemed to close around
Ruth's heart. Something was wrong,
decidedly. and in her mind she began to
go over rapidly possibilities as to what
it could be.
She went over to the light and snapped
it on. then she turned back to Scott.
His face was very white and deep lines
seemed to be craven in it. His mouth
was set sternly. He looked like man
who had met a grave defeat of some
kind. Ruth forgot Fleta waiting in the
other room, she forgot herself, her own
pitful worries that seemed somehow SO
trivial in the face of this big worry that
hung over Scott.
Tell me what it is," she said pas
sionately. Tell me. You needn't be
afraid ! won't understand. | don't care
it couldn't be big enough to make me
care"
"Ive lost some money" the words
came slowly. For the first time in his
life Scott felt the necessity of being
ashamed of something he had done, and
ii came very hard.
is that all?" Ruth's sigh of relief
was instantaneous and a sure guarantee
of her sincerity.
Scott stared at her, and she even
smiled a little.
Scott, I'm sick Of money. ! don't care
anything about it,
She could talk now. heavy load
seemed lifted from her heart. She could
tell Scott the truth, Nothing else
mattered but that the atmosphere be
cleared between them, and there was no
reason now why it shouldn't he cleared.
81 know you think I'm crazy" and
she smiled into his amazed eyes. But
it's true, dear; it's really true. After
bought all my new spring clothes |
didn't really enjoy them because | hadn't
the proper setting TO go with them. 1t
just seemed AS If the possession of them
simply made me long for other things
I couldn't have. Then when did realize
how T felt I was ashamed to tell you.
after ! had squandered all that money.
] might have bought some new clothes
| that would have been far more appro-
lriate and we could have used the rest
of the money in other ways, but | had
to learn my lesson first
SCOTS face was little less haggard
as he listened. and Ruth went on be-
| fore she was tempted to stop.
81 didn't know all this until had done
something terribly wrong At first
! don't think it was wrong, and ! was
curious. and so when Fleta Sears asked
|
wanted to go. | was flattered that she
should ask me. She was older, and she
made herself SO nice. We played for
money and at first ] won. The stakes
weren't high but they were too high for
me to take chances with. When ] lost
I tried to make it up out of my house
! keeping money. Do you remember that
awful week when gave you such awful
things to eat? That was why. Now I
am in the hole again ] lost fifteen dol
lars last week and 7 asked Fleta if she
would wait for it, She is out there now
waiting for her money. She asked me
for it and I didn't have it to give her.
oh Scott, l hope you understand"
The tears We're streaming down her
cheeks. but her heart felt strangely light
( Now tell me what is wrong with you
| dear. You see how wicked ] have been -
Scott could not help smiling at this
at her tragic face, and her shame-fillec
eyes.
First well get rid of Mrs Sears" h,
said grimly, drawing a slim roll of bills
from his pocket and counting out fifteer
dollars.
Ruth held out her hand for IT, but he
shook his head. "Ill give 1t to her,
he said grimly.
80, please don't dear" Ruth beggec
HulthlN' llOlutils nun poiCh DIS lie blIOut
toward the door. "What's the use? In
not a child, you know. 1t isn't as if Flet,
Sears had done anything wrong. Please
let me give it to her myself
Scott relented, and moment later he
money in her beaded bag and curiosit,
in her heart, Mrs. Sears was leaving tn
Raymond apartment Ruth had laughed
little when she gave Fleta the money
I'm not going to play any more fo
time, I'll wait for my luck L
change she had said as the two womeI
. walked to the door. F'leta would hav,
been surprised il she could have seeI
! the laugh on Ruth's face wiped off tn,
t minute the door was closed
Gn the next installment the trut
about Scott Is revealed to Rutb VIII