Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-03
Y-DON'T FEAR CRITTCISM-A FROCK WITH
And So They
Were Married
by HAZEL DEYO BdTCHELOR
Copyright 1919, bv Public LEDGER Co.
START TO READ THIS TO-DAY

ID UT1fS first sensation was Of startled
~ surprise. She could feel Nick Car
sons heart beating madly against hers,
her faco was hold buried against his
shoulder Then quite suddenly realiza-
ton caIne and she struggled madly.
Wavo after wave Of sick shame swept
over her. Sho felt branded, degraded.
Nick Carson buried his face in her
hair. and she sobbed at the absolute
futility Of her struggles. Nothing
availcd against him. and when he
finally forced her head back and reached
her lips she ceased struggling.
Then he released her and stood back,
tho blood whirling in hls brain. Dlmiy
lie was beginning to realize at last what
he had done.
Ruth" he half whispered. Ruth,
dearest. don't look at mo like that"
For she was looking at him. looking
at him with her eyes filled with hatred
and lcathing.
Truth, YOU were so lovely, I couldn't
help It. thought you understood that
couldn't wait forever. thought you
wanted 10 play tho game"
Play what eamo?"
why. any woman but you would
have realized how felt. It's been with
mo every second since I've known you.
thought you cared little bit for me-"
why should ! care for you? love
Scott. I'm married TO him" 4"
But you've let me take you every
where, we've seen each other regularly.
I'm not made Of the kind Of material
that can Withstand everything. I've
tried hard 10 be patient and wait"
wait for what?"
ltuth's questions were deadly in their
dircctncss. She felt frozen. stripped Of
emotion. Later her suffering would be-
sin, now she felt nothing at all.
Did you think ] was another woman
like Isabel Cartcr?' she asked evenly.
Was that why you were waiting? Just
because you have always had your way
with women, did YOU think you could
with me? You said you were my friend,
and I believed you"
"Of course, ! am your friend"
She laughed at that.
They stood together in the little
entrance half facing each other like two
young animals. The dim electric light
in its Japanese lantern burned over.
head, tho flare of light from the room
back OF Ruth touched her vaguely, mys.
torlously. She was touching and hold
Ing life with both hands now, and she
would suffer as youth always suffers
for It's lack of experience. for its eternal
curiosity. In the little home that she
and Scott had made together, another
1,n1 I'll Ia, Ia. H.
could never forget that fact.
Lister TO me-" he said. taxing a
step forward. "IS you had been my
wife. do you think l would have al
lowed another man to SEQ as much OF
you as your husband has allowed me
70 sec OF you In the last few weeks
do you? DO you think ! believed any
OF this nonsense about pla.onlc friend
ship between n mar and n woman like
you? Why, it's impossible, l tell you
impossible. No man can talk with you
five minutes without feeling your charm
Scott should have known that, but IN,
rtoad Of interfering with YOU he tool
things for granted and let me gee you
as often as ! wanted
You let me believe you we're IN!
friend
! "And you were willing to take every
thing and give nothing. lou played
with fire every time you were with me
You dangled your attractions before m,
! constantly. and then said to yourself
! I'm safe because I'm married. TAX
/ tonight, for instance, you let me com,
Ter YOU here. Scott Is away. You oper
the door in that suit. Why it was NOR,
! than I could stand. I tell YOU, il ism
! fair for women like YOU To play tbs
camo and then quarrel with tho con
sequences
! Ruth had turned away and was lean
/ ing against tho wall She put 2. hanC
up TO her eyes as child might hav,
done to stop the tears that were rolling
slowly down her cheeks. All tho passici
I Of resentment had gone out OF her. Mel
had arraigned her. She was as mucl
To blame as he,
VIII you 60 now?" she almos
whispered
Then remorse robbed him of his anger
Ruth. forgive me-" he said, taking hcl
By the shoulders and trying TO max,
her look at him. I'll be your friend
Ill be anything you like. proinis,
YOU. only forgive me, dear little girl
! loyo YOU SO much
But she shuddered away from him
and without saying anything more h,
went out, closing the door softly behinc
him.
(Tho neat chapter gives the solution ot
the problem)
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