Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-20
And So They
Were Married
Episode 3-(Jeaiousy)
By HAZEL DEYO BATCHELOR
CHAPTER XII

CAihH ~
DCTH had passed through many
A0 phases Of emotion during the eve
ming. For one thing. she had forced
herself to appear pleasant to Isabel. Not
for worlds, not IL she had been tortured
would she have allowed Isabel TO think
she was Jealous of Scotts attention to
her IT was bad enough to be sulky
whore Betty Lambert was concerned, but
Isabel Carter was one OF her own
friends
Scott as usual took no notice of Ruth's
attitude. She had danced with him only
once and then had not spoken during tho
entire dance. Just before they had re-
turned to the table, she had said;
at must have been hard for you to
forego this dance with Isabel. Please
don't let it happen again on my account
why, Ruth. you know l would rather
dance with you" Scott was never
cognizant of sarcasm, he was never
sarcastic himself.
That's funny" Ruth laughed, but
there was no mirth in her laugh. and for
the rest of the evening she hardly spoke
to Scott at all. But IL Ruth were tho
first to be angry at anything, she was
always the first to want 1t over, to have
II explained away. Scotts method of al
lowing things to blow over maddened
her. Womanlike she wanted the argu-
ment over at once. So that after they
reached home that evening and she had
waited an interminable time for Scott to
explain himself, she finally burst out:
Really Scott. I think we ought to
come TO an understanding"
About what, Ruth?''
about your attitude tonight"
But / don't know why you're so angry.
l don't see what did that could make
you fell as you do
That's just 1t, you're never in the
wrong. Every time we have an argu-
ment ! feel as IL were wrong when 1t
is all over, I'm always the one who has
to make peace"
: I'm willing to do anything you want
me to do to stop these arguments we've
been having lately We've been quarrel
ing like any married couple, do you know
it?"
"And whose fault is TT"
II don't know. Ruth Heaven knows II
it's mine, don't want to sidestep it, bu,
/ don't mean to do anything to make you
angry"
Ruth was seated at her dressing table
letting down her hair. Now she turned
around in her chair and faced him.
II suppose you know the way you've
always complained when we've had en-
gagements with the carriers. You've
never cared much for Isabel. apparently,
but what am supposed to think of your
actions tonight?"
Because | danced with herr" SCOTS
tone was incredulous.
Danced with her? You couldn't wait
to dance with her. You and Bill were a
pair hanging on her slightest word and
| was simply the fifth wheel to the
party"
Didn't you want ME to dance with
her
"Of course | wanted you to dance
with her, but YOU began by dancing the
first dance with her and leaving me to
Bill. She had hardly danced around
the room with Bill before you were all
eyes. and as I said before. the strange
part of it is that you never approved
Of Isabel before. That's always the way
with you men, you're all the same"
What do you mean by that?'
We'll, | can't account for it in any
other way than to think that Isabel's
dancing carried You away. II you have
anything to say. why don't you say it?
You haven't told me thing yet that
would explain what you have done"
"Isabers dancing is wonderful YOU
know that She is simply a differen,
person on the floor. She seems to wake
up"
"Oh, so that is why you were so crazy
TO dance with her. II suppose my
dancing couldn't compare with hers"
Scott looked at her for moment
Ruth, l don't see what Is the matter
with you lately; you never used to be
like this"
"No. because I never dreamed that
you were the kind of man who would
do the things that are making me 90
miserable"
81 told you before that I would do
anything you say to make you happy
anything"
Right here Ruth could have said, "All
right. don't have anything more to do
with any woman but me-" and she would
have said exactly what she was think
ing in her heart. But that would be
admitting in SO many words that she
was jealous, she could not do that. Sud.
denly and without any warning, she put
her head down on the dressing table and
burst into tears. Instantly Scott was al
her side gathering her up into his arms
| burying his face in her hair.
"T am different. know / am" she
sobbed. Il don't know what is the
matter with me. | can't seem TO reason
fairly after / once have a thing fixed
firmly in my mind. | was terribly hurt
when YOU did not ask me to dance first .
Dearest, believe me | didn't even
think about It. you know | wouldn't
willingly hurt YOU
II know it," Ruth admitted, her head
against his shoplder. But did she" A
moment before She had been sure that
Scott had done it on purpose TO hurt
her.
Tomorrow, u peep into tho Carter