Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-07
And So They
We're Married
By HAZEL DEYO BACHELOR
Copyright, 1919, bp Public Ledger Co.
START THIS STORY TODAY


\ lived in a world Of rosy dreams. She
was in that dangerous mood that con-
veys person into happiness or drops
her suddenly into unfathomabls depths
Of misery. 1t all depends upon how long
the mood lasts and what elements enter
into the fostering of It, Sometimes the
more ecstatic the mood the more
exquisite the misery afterward.
She was SO sure Of herself. so GER
tain that she was doing the right thing,
so entirely satisfied that the letter she
had received that morning settled the fact
once and for all, and that it was in
tended that she should work
In the dingy little Office she sat for a
few minutes waiting for Elsie Jeffires,
who was engaged. A plain woman sat
at the desk outside; she was Maud
Chambers. and her calm greeting had
left Ruth's high spirits someYhat
crushed. She seemed to lack initiative
and Ruth hated a girl Of that kind,
the spineless martyred type. the woman
simply because her physical qualities
hold her back.
She wondered vaguely as she looked
at her badly fitting blue serge dress, at
the nondescript fair hair, in an ugly
knot at the back of her head, at the
pallid, washed-out complexion, why she
did not buck up a little.
II wonder how much she GETS Ruth
wondered idly. But then I wouldn't
want position of this kind, in an en-
ployment bureau. 1 suppose she must
have something to her to qualify her for
work of this kind. but ! don't, think I'd
want her in my office, II l were man.
Ruth had heard only vaguely of the
woman movement. She was bored as a
general rule with the newspapers, and
never read editorials, therefore her idea
Of an office was based on novels she had
read or imaginary Offices that she had
visualized for herself from chance re-
marks dropped by people like Helen
Townsend.
An inner door opened and Elsie JEFF
fries came out preceded by another
woman. She beckoned to Ruth, who fol-
lowed her into the office and sat down
in a chair near the desk. .-
'Well?" Elsie said briskly. Ruth
hated her too-efficient manner She
felt it was entirely due to the position
Elsie held.
II got letter from your assistant
Miss Chambers" Ruth said little
stifily. Elsie did not seem to notice, but
said brightly.
20, yes, you're still determined to
work, Ruth?"
why do you take that attitude?'
Elsie tapped on the desk with a per-
Gil. The noise vaguely irritated Ruth.
she could not tell exactly why.
f>just can't visualize your working,
that's ALL"
Because didn't work hard at COL
lege?" ~
20, don't know, you seem so remote
from money making, you always have,
you know"
Elsie was certainly having her day
II there were any old scores to be paid,
she wasn't losing any time about it,.
Gone were the days when Ruth in a
white duck skirt and a flaming smock,
with a crowd Of others like her, passed
a shabby little figure on the campus and
nodded gayly with all the insolence of
youth. Here positions were reversed,
and Ruth the fortunate, Ruth the gay,
was asking the favor But then things
were apt to be different in the world
anyway; standards were different, sue
cess did not come to the butterflies as
quickly as it did to the grubs. Not that
Elsie was go very successful. but she had
the. whip hand here and her salary was
fair; it brought her more than she had
ever had in her life.
"Of course 1t isn't a question Of hav-
ing to work." Ruth said evenly Il want
to do it, that's all. I'm not busy enough
at home.'
Sure it's not because you have the
modern bug So many women think the
world has undergone an entire change
since the war"
II think It has"
20. but wives are still in style. It's
still being done. you know"
Ruth hated Elsie's sure manner. Size
had never been this way at college. OF
course she had no business to try to pry
into her motives anyway. After all, she
needn't presume on the slight friendship
that had existed between them at col
lege. After all, this was simply posi-
tion that Elsie Allied. There was no cea-
son why she should try to take a high
hand.
IT sent for you because I happen to
! have an opening" Elsie said abruptly
! She realized that the stiffness of Ruth's
manner was que 10 tilo IdCL tHdI SHc
hadn't asked advice or criticism. mol
did she consider a college acquaintance
ship permanent enough for personalities
! II don't know whether You will want
! it or not Ruth. but 1 want to tell you
one thing there are mighty few job,
open for the unframed women these
days. II you had some training, some
speciality, 1t would be easier to place
you"
What is the position"
ITS In the reception room of maya.
zine Office"
What do I do?"
WELL you sit at desk and receive
people when they come in to see an,
of the editors. It's position requiring
an attractive appearance, tact, and 9
level head. OF course the salary ism
much--eighteen dollars week-but yo1
might try it,"
I'm the next instailment Ruth receiver
an unexpoctod invitation.)