Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-01-01
Observation-Disclosures
THEWLFE
By Jane Phelps.
HSG6BBBNBBBaSBg9e
RUTH Is DISAPPOINTED IN
BRIAN'S LETTER
By Jane Phelps.
CHAPTER CXxv.

Il
the baby. She watched nervously fc
the reported arrival of ships; and wa
disappointed in not hearing from hi1
long before it would have been pos
sible for letter to reach her.
Mandel wondered at the change i
her; at her repressed manner,
She is anxious over something,o h
said to himself, just as he had said
short time before: ''She is unhapp,
over something" then set himself t,
think of something to divert her.
Arthur Mandel longed for Ruth. We
his thought for her was singularly un
selfish. The great melting pot of wsr
and war activities had ennobled the
man. He longed to see her happy. re-
gardless of his own love for her. And
whenever he saw her looking worried
or anxious, he almost cursed Brian be.
cause of it.
lie constantly gave her all the con.
sideration possible in her work but even
so she carried great deal of responsi.
bility. He often wondered what he
should have don't 10 this crls,s ~-fthout
her. Many of his clerks were either
overseas or In camps. Some had vol
unteered, Others been drafted. Like
other business pen, he was slowly re-
placing them either with men above
the draft age, or with women. But it
takes time to induct new help into such
an establishment; and mistakes are cost
ly. So Ruth often went home wearied
in body and mind.
Little Brian wan growing fast, and
Mrs, Clayborne saiG bid fair to be en-
tirely spoiled when he became old
enough to take advantage. Rachel wor-
shipped her "little Massa'' and Ruth
idolized him. Mrs. Clayborne loved him
dearly; although in her heart she re.
gretted that he was growing to resem-
BILE Brian.
"I wish he had looked like Ruth,
she often murmured when she looked !
at the tiny features.
True to her determination, she tried
to make things more lively Tor Ruth.
She invited Mr. and Mrs. Curtiss, then
Mr.. and Mrs. Roberts in for cards, and
occasionally to dinner. They were al
most the only friends Ruth had made,
20 their circle was necessarily limited.
Then once in while she would ask
Mr.. Mandel. Sht Was often puzzled
,y his manner when with Ruth. That
lie loved her niece she knew; but that
lie was becoming so unselfish in that
owe that Ruth Is happiness, not his own,
vas his first consideration, she had not
called.
When finally letter came from Bri-
n, Ruth's hands trembled so she could
carcely open it, To her almost un-
earable disappointment, it was not in
eply to the one telling him he was q
ather, but a belated one written about
he time she had sent her own.
Tears of disappointment filled her
yes as she read. Then a fear toor al
ession of her; fear that Brian might |
ever know. lie had expected to be
ent froLi the place where she had ad-
ressed the letter and more than half
xpected--as he expressed ito be i9 l
nc fighting line when she received the I
,tter.
He was plainly enthusiastic over the
because of the long =,
sitting. Hhe pictured the exploits of
,me Of the men who had gone over
le top with honor and safety in glow =
Ig terms; and spoke of those who had
one west in the discharge of their duty j
,rtunate to have the privilege to die n
II their count =. Ia
Then he spoke again of Mollie. He
Id how she cheered the wounded, both :
lr own boys and the blesses of France
ow brave she was, and how she hest
ted at nothing, no matter how menial
g task to help.
"There are many like her over here"
wrote" but tell you of her be-
use you know her. The men all love
r. They call her Little Mother and
e does mother them all, from bearded
N to boys of seventeen, many Of
10 strongly suspect have he'd
out their ages to fight for Uncle
M But such lies will not he held
ainst them should they go west now;
should they come through. Of that
am sure.
II looked for a letter today, but
ne reached me. The mails sre so un-
tain that am not blaming you, but
IN. / feel that there is nice, long,
ter from you somewhere, waiting to
delivered TO me, and will try TO
ssess my soul n patience until it ap-
hrs. By the WY, send me more choe-
te next time have found chum
,r here whose sweet tooth beats any
ng I ever heard of. So send me dou
measure if you expect me to get
gle cake. His name is Henderson,
lrry' his front name. He has youri
lress so in case am injured he will
you know. So unless you hear from
YOU may know that am o. X. and
ing you. Brian"
is pleased th6t he has