Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-16
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huth nung up tne receiver, anu sho
hurried to see who was there. A man
stood outside whom she recognized with
gasp Of astonishment. It was the
man in loud checks who had come up
and talked to Rita that day at the road
house. He stood hat in hand smiling
| broadly at Ruth. Ruth hated that smile.
She saw that he remembered her.
How do you Co." she said civilly.
She had to do that much.
81 wonder II you know when Mrs.
whitmore win be in," he said, lingering
his hat.
'I'm sorry, but I DON'T" Ruth re-
turned.
\ II have come from out Of town and
have gone to great deal Of trouble
w 10 get here" the man resumed, "or l
shouldn't think of bothering you"
Ruth stood waiting for him to draw
Y back so that she could close the door.
She had no intention Of asking him to
come in and wait. She wanted to be
rid Of him as quickly as possible.
"Are you sure they're not at home, ="
she asked.
"WeIl, I've rung and rung.'.
"I guess they're not then," and Ruth
swung the door impatiently. She closed
ita minute later. with a murmured
apology. She had an uncomfortable
feeling that he was still there.
When she opened the door for Alice
this was confirmed because he was sit
ting on the stairs. Alice had nearly
stumbled over him.
He smiled at Ruth. 81 decided to
watt he explained.
~ see. 1 wouldn't though, II
were you, they may be out of town."
"You haven't seen either Of them to-
dayY'
Ruth was about to say that she had
met Dan that morning, but on sudden
impulse, she refrained. Why should
she tell this disagreeable person any
thing at all about Dan and Rita? Rita
hadn't acted particularly cordial that
day in the roadhouse.
NO, maven e =
"Who was that?' Alice asked as the
door closed behind the two girls.
The distrust that Ruth felt regarding
this man and that she felt in Alice S
remark drew the girls close together in
what was for once a mutual under
standing.
'T don't know, he certainly acts
| funny" Ruth returned with wrink
forehead.
''How do you mean funny?"
'fWhy, he's been out there for q long
time. After you rang off, he rang the
doorbell and asked for the Whitmores.
He thought might know when they
would be in"
''Does he know your
II met him once" Ruth did not
say where.
s'He certainly does act funny" Alic-
seemed more usually interested. She
tfptoed to the door after a moment and
listened. ts- /. Va tEa
"Do you think he's there still
Ruth asked when she came out to the
living room.
81 don't know" Alice seemed moi
to remember the quarrel of that morn
ing. She said nothing about it. When
Ruth went out to the kitchen a moment
later, Alice followed her and asked for
something to do to help. 1t was her
way of partially atoning for her part
Of what had happened that morAing.
The telephone rang and Alice went tc
answer it. Ruth heard her take down
the receiver and speak. She listened
idly at first and then with interest.
Gust moment" she heard Alice
say, "and I'll call her. It's Mrs. Whit.
more" as Ruth took the receiver from
her.
."You Rita?"
Rita's voice came very faint acros.
the wire.
'tListen, Ruth, can you hear me
All right. I want to ask you to d.
something for me. Is that man still IL
the hall?'
Yes, I think so.''
He's been ringing and ringing, ant
don't want him to know I'm here.
don't know how to get rid of him either
Could you say that / had wired iron
downtown that / was going out of tn
city for the weekend?" Rita's voic
held world of entreaty.
''Of course will, don't worry abou
1t. I'll get rid of him."
Thank you, be careful not to let hin
suspect anything" and Rita hung VI
cautiously.
Ruth's heart beat loud as she Wake,
down the hall. She flung open the doc
boldly and the man on the stairs ros
out Of the gloom.
20, you're still here" Ruth said
trying to make her voice sound natural
s'Well, / don't think there's any need o
your waiting any longer. Mrs. Whit
more just called me up from downtown
She is going out of the city for tn
weakened, and she asked me to tax
some parcels tomorrow"
The mans good -natured expression
changed to one of sudden anger. "Di'
you say anything to her about me?'
he burst out.
"No, it completely slipped my mind,
Ruth said smoothly, anc quite innocent