Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-28
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NJ
w turn to the dangerous conversation
she and Scott had engaged in earlier
in the evening. Therefore. after Natalie
and Jack left there was rather con
spicuous silence which Ruth finally
broke.
Ruth was brushing out her hair be
fore the mirror, watching the lights
flash through it. and making it snap
with the brisk movement of her brush.
Scott was in bed reading. She noticed
particularly that he was not watching
her, for the moment she did not exist.
Lately he seemed always to be interest e
ed in something he was reading when
he should have been paying attention
to her. II angcrcd her She remembered
the days when they had been first mar
ricd. Scott had never taken his eyes
away from her then. He had watched
her until she had protested with
flaming cheeks. Everything she did had
been wonderful to him. the brushing
of her hair had been something to ad
mire. and in the morning when she
had put it up, there had been many in
terruptions before it had gone up to
stay Those days had been thrilling. she
had loved them. and she wanted them
back. What was the use of being pretty
if Scott did not notice any longer:
She slipped out of the little jacket
she had been wearing and purposcly
got into her prettiest negligee. the lacy
one that she used only when they were
away somewhere. She left her hair all
shining around her, and then she sat
down before the dressing table and be
gan with her manicurng implements.
Finally she spoke. and studied Scott S
face in the glass as she did
''Scott. do you think that Jack and
Natalie will be happy
Scott put down his paper instantly
and turned toward her, but she could
see from the expression of his face that
he had not noticed anything different
about her.
II think so yes. OF course no man
could be very passionatcly in love with
Natalie. she has no particular appeal.
She's just pretty and feminine without
having anything deep about her."
II should think that would be
enough"
st is for some men,"
us it for you?'
Scott smiled, but there was no sudden
lighting of his face. She had not stir
red him to any feeling. Why, why
were men that way? So eager at first
and SO calm and matter of fact after
little, little while? 1t was too much,
and Ruth, who had been nervously
overwrought all evening, suddenly and
without warning burst into tears.
Scott was out of bed in an instant,
and had her in his arms.
Dearest, what is it? Tell me what is
wrong?"
But even then his tone was the con-
cerned one of a man who comforts; it
had nothing of the ardency Of an eager
lover. Scott held the perfumed softness
that was Ruth in his arms, and he
was the phlegmatic husband, not the
lover. He did not understand her mood
in the least. She pulled away from him
almost pctulantly, and dried her eyes.
Z "It's nothing. I'm tired, that's all.
but it must be something; it isn't
like you to do this; don't you feel we'll,
dear?'
Ruth laughed Historically at this,
mans never failing question when he
does not understand the species
woman"
rs it about what you told me this
evening"" Scott said suddenly, remem-
bering.
"What?" queried Ruth, her sobs
halting, what do you mean?'
about your work?'
Ruth began to laugh. 'Oh, Scott !
you're funny. OF course it's not that.
Yors4nen never do understand, do you?"
Scott did not notice. that her laugh was
bitter, he was sbf y relieved that she
was no longer Ig. Even then, there
was no tigh .ng of his arms about
her, no sudden flame at her nearness.
He simply her, stepping back
to regard her anxiouslyNB
II do want to ask ysla about what
you said this evening But working.
i want to know exactly how you feel
about it,
Again Ruth laughed, that little metal
lie laugh that should have been warn
ing to Scott.
''You didn't take me seriously, did
Sou?'' she said 81 was tired, and of
course didn't mean anything said"
you're sure?" Scott hardly under
stood this Ruth, and there was doubt
full wistfulness in his voice.
Positive" And she turned from him