Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-09
And So They
Were Married
BY HAZEL DEYO BATCHELOR
COPYRIGHT 1919, bv Public Ledger Co.
START THIS STORY TODAY

ENVER since Ruth had had that up.
pleasant experience with Nick Car.
son she mad never gone anywhere alone
WIN any man but Scott. She knew,
however, that Scott's ideas were broad
IN tne extreme, and she somehow felt
tnat. JACK was different. And so she
went to lunch with Jack and in her
innermost heart of hearts felt quite
worldly and blase. It wasn't that she
cared so much for Jack, for she didp't I.
put 1t hattered her tremendously that
ne seemed to want her with him: it
stimulated that vanity that was ever
present with Ruth, anyway.
JACK g references to the past, which
were many. worried Ruth. She was
forced to constantly ignore illusions to
things which embarrassed her, Jack
made leading remarks continually about
intimate things and it kept her guess
ing to keep the chapnels of conversa-
lon free from topics that she did not
ewant to discuss.
Ihe day she had luncheon with him
he made a remak that worried her.
huth felt the conversation was
getting dangerous, and Ruth hardly dar.
ed say enough to encourage Jack to 90
on. 1t was one thing. knowing in
her heart OF hearts that Jack had never
quite gotten over loving her and that
ne did not feel any love toward his
wife, but she didn't want to be told
about it. She didn't want TO precini.
tate anything. She was happy and
nearly satisfied with her own life, She
mad no idea of having any kind of an
aHalr with Jack. In other words, Ruth
was eager to play the game without the
candle. Like many other women who
liked to play with fire. she loved the
anticipation of things that never hap
pened. She could even weave day
dreams without any hope or desire that
they would ever come true. Men are
not satisfied with dreams, they want
tangible realities every time.
Several days after the luncheon Jack
called for Ruth at the Art Institute
one afternoon in his little low car. Ruth
thrilled when she saw it standing at
the curb, rakish and long. and her
heart beat fast when, as she came down
the steps, Jack leaped out to meet her,
the sun on his shining hair.
Why, Jack, what surprise. How
is, Natalie. Is her father any better?"
buth lace ClOuueu IOf minute,
Hes just lingering on
Il don't think Mrs. Jergens should
expect so much from Natalie, after all.
She owes something to you
oh, l don't mind, not IL you will
cheer me up He was settling her in
the car beside him and they were moving
off. "Where shall we go?"
oh, just drive me home, Jack it's
too late to stay out" And then as they
drove up Broadway she had an exhila-
rated little feeling that she was where
she belonged. She ought to have car
like this and homage from man who
cared for her. and all the luxuries that
went with life. Suddenly her heart
smote her. This car was Natalie's,
this place at Jacks side was Natalie's.
Jack, why don't you call for Ma
talie and take her for ride. She
mustn't stay in the house as much as
She does"
But I got off on purpose to talk to
you. I'm never home so early in the
4 afternoon usually. She won't expect
it. ] thought we could have tea some
where" Jacks plea was peculiarly
Soyish and essentially selfish.
"But I'm an old married woman and
Natalie is your wife," Ruth laughed,
'and it's too late to go to tea, much
as I'd love to-
go with me tomorrow, then"
'I don't think | can. You mustn' t
spend all your time with me, you
Know" she laughed, a little uncom-
fortably.
"You will, won't you? say you will,
Ruth"
The same attraction that Ruth had
once felt for Jack long ago came over
her as he leaned toward her, and she
laughed provocatingly with her face
close to his.
That night Natale's father died.