Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-17
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1F JACK had thought it easy for Nat
L allie to play the part she had decided
on then he knew nothing about human
nature. 1t was as far from Natalie's s
nature to play any kind of part as
it would be for the veriest amateur to
play subtle part requiring skillful
manipulation. Natalie was simple. she
was not complex. she did not know how
to play the part of woman of the
world, but pride forced her into the
role and she simply gritted her teeth
and decided to 60 through with it.
1t all came about in this manner:
Isabel Carter had grudge of long
standing against Ruth. She had never
forgotten that evening when instead of
playing a part herself and hiding her
true feelings she had made fool of
herself over Nick Carson. Ii infuriatcd
her to know that Ruth knew her true
state of mind. That she, Isabel Car
ter, the woman of ice who cared for
no man. could have lost her wits to the
extent Of admitting to Ruth in wild
and frenzed burst of tears and impreca :
tions that she had always loved Nick
Carter. That. too, when she knew
quite well that Nick cared nothing for
her, and that he did care for Ruth.
Isabel had virtually admitted her jeal-
ousy, and since that eventful evening
she and Ruth had never met. Now she
wanted to strike at Ruth through Nat
ale.
1t is the most fatal thing in the world
to incur the enmity of woman like
Isabel Carter. because she thinks and
/ Al. 70 np
an old grudge. 1t was strange that
Isabel should have met Natalie on the
boardwalk at Atlantic City right after
having seen Ruth and Jack driving to-
gether. Her idea was to start n
rumor about Ruth. She had no way
of knowing that Scott knew anything
about it and she thought Natalie just
foolish enough to make trouble.
Isn't Jack with you?' she remark :
ed casually.
NO. he couldn't get away Nata =
lie returned quickly. eager to maintain
her poor little pride.
II saw him out driving with Ruth
RAYMOND yesterday Isabel SAID
cruclly. "Bettcr be careful. Natalie
they were engaged once, you know
7 don't see what there is about Ruth
Ravmond. but she seems to have q
fatal attraction for men. ID be care
full if I were you
Natalie was game under the blow, but
her vivid imagination began to pant
pictures. even while she tried to re-
assure herself that there was nothing
| in it.
Isabel went on:
~ wouldn't let too much of that
thing 90 on or people will say things.
You haven't been married long enough
for Jack to be seen around with other
women. it doesn't look well for YOU.
That had brought Natalie up with a
ierks Red wings of scarlet sprang out
| in her cheeks. Isabels idle scorn whip
ned her into action. When sh. reached
the hotel that morning she spent an
hour weeping like a child in her room.
When she came out she was woman
ready for action. She had no careful
campaign planned out, all that she must
do wos to keep Jack from seeing that
she cared no matter what happened
For she did care, she cared terribly.
She had no idea where all this feeling
came from. she hadn't known she was
conable of it, but she loved her husband.
That was what gave her courage to act
That night, however, after it was all
over and she had felt that through the
evening she had pursued the course
with Jack that she had laid out for
herself. she had broken down like the
child she was. 1t would have been so
d;fferent il she hadn't cared. 1t wouldn' I