Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-23
DAILY NOVELETTE,
"FLL SAY SO"
BY FRANCES Hayden
THERE was moment of awkward s


TNIIEItE was n moment of awkward 81 =
lcncc. "Well, what's the matter 20
Roy repeated, glaring darkly at Ruth.
Ruth shrugged her shoulders and
smiled She thought Roy looked very
much like thunder cloud ready to
burst. At length she began: well, il
you want to know. Pm just sick and
tired of having you down night after
night. The monotony is getting on my
nerves. OF course, I'll admit you re
very charming and
That was air. There was an angry
slam of the front gate as Roy flung
back; Well. I can find plenty that
wont get SILK of me-
Ruth laughed to herself. She rather
enjoyed these little "tiffs." She brought
them about quite often just to break
the mOnOtony. She knew how it would
enu-Roy would come back in a day OF
two. loving her more than ever.
However. contrary to her plans. Roy
did not appear the next day or the fol
lowing one. Then came the awful truth.
hs'' h'' SohN Oil Ill TuttT one morn =
ing. She met many girl chums and they
all seemed to say: "Oh. I got a card
from Roy. Did you?" Many time
she bit her lip to hide her chagrin. So
that was the way he took it-off having
one grand good time all by himself. She
began to feel conspicuous walking
around alone without Roy. The next
morning found her at the railroad sta
tion bound for popular summer hotel
near the ocean. She would go awat
and have good time, too.
She was given n pleasant room. and
when she had unpacked she took her
tennis racket and went down TO the
veranda. She quickly Joined three
Others, who had been looking for a
fourth one so they could play tennis
with partners. After number of
games one of the young men said
Sorry. I'll have to leave you. but Tn
send down corking good chap / lust
got acquainted with"
In minute young athletic figure
dressed in sport shirt and white fan .
nels, appeared
1t was Roy. If Ruth's prqpdfotbe
who was dead, had appeared Just then
1t could not have surprised her moro.
When Roy recognized her these thoughts
flashed through his mind: "Oh, she had
TO follow me, huh? This tennis game
is a framc-up, take it. Well. l can
beat her at her own game-of breaking
hearts.
Before an introduction was possible
Ruth excused herself on pretcnse of a
headache and retired, leaving Roy minus
partner.
Ruth rushed to her room. ''Of all
the tizzlPs.' she murmured. and threw
herself onto her bed. Her first thought
was. to pack up and return home at
once. No; that would look .as if she
was defeated. and when the people at
home heard of it sne would be the
laughing stock of the town. He needn t
think he had monopoly on the entire
hotel. She wouldn't have to meet him
IL she didn't want to, SO she decided to
stay.
She proceeded to get we'll acquainted
with both sexes. The next day was
uncvcntful She went bathing and
boating. In the hotel dance hall that
evening fate brought Ruth and Roy face
to face. Each f1ushed-Ruth. with ele-
waited eyebrows and upmised chin. ac-
knowlNdged the introduction ; Roy gared
sulenly at her. 1t was as if they
lcathed the very sight of each other.
Suddenly the music began and before
Ruth realized it. she and Roy were
spinning around the hall. Not a word
was SPOKEN. They went through the
motions automatically. At last the
ordeal was over.
Thus it continued for three or four
days. Roy, in the privacy of his own
room. was a different chap altogether.
With hungry heart he watched Ruth
from his room every time she went off
in BNiley's big launch.
At the end of the week the novelty
of gay companions began to wear off
Oh, for one of those 'monotonous'
evenings at home with Roy. One night
feeling very much alone and homesick
she stole away from the crowd, and
strolled along the walk that. overlooked
the ocean. She passed benches where
couples were softly conyersing, in spite
of the roar of the ocean. The sight OF
them only tended to increase the feel
ing.
Suddenly her heart beat faster than
nature ever intended it to beat. She
saw Roy sitting alone on bench. He
had the most forlorn look upon hi.
face and to all appearances was the
most lonesome person in the world
barring herself.
The next moment he was startled by
the touch of a small hand upon his
shoulder. A pleading, submissive little
voice murmured. Roy ~ just want tc
say I'm sorry"
Two strong arms EMBODIED her in an
instant. The moon very Kindly with
drew behind a feecy cloud as Roy's
eager lips touched those of the girl he
still worshiped.
Half an hour later Roy tucked Ruth
into the racer with all their luggage
and, they started for home.
Ruth, very, very happy, nestled close
to him and said, You're sure that you
really do love me, Roy?"
Roy, very cleverly driving with one
hand, murmured happily, "I'll say sc
darling. Now all I've got to do is gel
the ring and then we can plan for thai
little vine covered cottage"
The next complete nOveIette-Greer
Fields.