Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-03
And So They
Were Married
Episode 2-(Edch Others Friends)
BY HAZEL DEYO BATCHELOR
Copyright. 1919 bv Public Ledger Go.

ID UTH for moment was stunned at
~ the direct attack that Alice had
launched at her. Scott had not heard
1t at all. as he was still in the living
room, but Bert resented It fiercely and
told Alice SO.
You have no right to speak TO Ruth
that way" he said, turning toward his
wife.
"of course you would take her part
I expected that"
What do you mean? There's nothing
to take her part about. You imply that
she has done something wrong"
"Oh. no; not wrong. suppose she
can't help being fascinating"
What might have happened Ruth oio
not know, but Just then there was an
interruption. The bell rang furiousiy'
and Scott went to open 1t.
WELL well, we'll" Ruth heard him
say. come in. It's a long time since
you've looked us up. Ruth" he called
come in for moment, will your
Ruth went into the living room Just as
she was. without even stopping to take
off the enveloping pink apron, and raced
Gene Mathews and Betty Lambert
II told her we oughn't to run in on
YOU people this way" Gene said laugh
ing. Scott told me that you always
made dates ahead. and knew You would
either be out or entertaining. but Betty
Insisted. She's never seen your place
and she has always wanted to come.
Ruth felt a vague pang OF conscience.
She had never sufficiently urged Betty
Lambert to come and see her. In fact,
she had never wanted any of that crowd
at the house, but they did not bear any
resentment, and here she was actuahy
glad TO see both Of them.
And YOU don't mind. do you?' asked
Betty. looking at Ruth with two very
bright eyes. Are we interrupting any
thing?'
NO. indeed, Scotts sister and her hus-
band are here for dinner. I'll call them'
or perhaps you will, Scott?'
Scott went out into the kitchen to find
, Alice quarreling stormily with Bert.
What on earth is the matter with
you two?" he asked. Come out into the
living room we have some company.
Alice was forced to comply and fol-
lowed Scott sullenly In. Bert stood
alone at the little window In the dark
ened kitchen, his eyes fixed unseeingly
on the street far beneath. He clinched his
hands suddenly in blind rebellion against
the sordidness of his life. He hated
uuarreling and he had been forced to
endure It from the beginning of his mar
rage. Alice's vindictiveness, her jeal-
ousy, her temper all had to be guarded
against. The least infringement on
what she claimed as her rights precipi-
tated quarrel like this. He wanted
desperately to end it all; he wanted TO
be free; but Bert was too easy-going'
too chary of change. His very tenpera-
ment would chain him TO Alice whether
he would or not, and the fact that she
knew this would give her every oppor-
tunity to keep on with her impossible
attitude. He was ashamed of the scene
before Ruth. but it had happened before
with another girl, a girl who had never
been friendly with Alice since.
Then Bert went into the living room
actually afraid that II he stayed out
any longer Alice would make another
I scene and embarrass every one.
a Alice, deprived Of her bridge game
q SAT near the large lamp and hardly spoke.
a She clearly did not approve of Betty
Lambert. Bert was introduced. and ir
z a few minutes was talking with ths
Others. He was interested; he liked the
CAV informality of these people. Ht
felt as though he had known them fol
q long time. Ruth, surprised anc
astounded at Bert's manner when he
was talking TO Betty, saw possibilities ir
v him that she had never suspected. Then
with a sudden sense OF shame, she wa:
brought face to face with her owa judg
ment Of Betty Lambert. How unfair sh'
q had always been with her, and yet wha
small reason she had had. Simpl!
because Betty was an actress. she hat
not even known what kind Of an actress
y she was, but she discovered tonight tina
Betty had talent, real ability. Befor'
s Ruth had Jumped all actresses in on
group-just actresses. But when sh
81 thought of them at all, she thought o
\ the chorus girl variety with gauzI
u skirts who was proficient in just on
y ssthing-champagne and lobster in com
sse%bination. And Gene Mathews, why ha'
vi she objected TO him as friend: BE
N cause he was unconventional. becaus
IA his life was different in the main from
IA other men she had known. Had sh
.s9 tried to get Scotts viewpoint at all oi
# the matter Of the friends before tonight
H No. she would have TO confess that sh
AZ hadn't, and it had taken Alice's ant
M Berts sotdd attitude toward life I
her up to her own shortcomings:
XIII (Tomorrow, some surprising reSeis
ls tions in just a simple conversational
|&IN