Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-08
CHAPTER ]

g..
vXIHEN Hele Townsend came home
w from France .uRth was almost the
hrst to welcome her. Now that Helen
was back Ruth expected to have a real
friend. Everything would be different
now.
Helen was thinner. but more COM
posed. There was a looK OF peace in her
eyes that had not been there when she
rad sailed. The thought OF Jim had
been too Imminent. She had not been
able to forget him for a moment Now
she seemed more ~reconciled.
In her own beautiful bedroom. the
room where she had first heard of Jim's
death, she talked things over with Ruth.
II don't know about these other wo-
men," she said slowly. about how
they're bearing up. and so forth. but I
nave managed ut last to adjust my life
without Jim. Ruth. I never thought I
could do that. When I first reached
France. he seemed nearer to Inc. and
then almost Immediately he seemed far
away. Everything over there was so
l somehow could not i'm
agine him there at all. SO I did what
could in my small way to help. and
then came home again. I'm glad to be
back. Ruth, really glad"
AM I'm so glad to have you back. I
w missed you 80. ! never knew how
much you had become a part Of my life
until you went across. Where did you
leave Myra? Did you zee her at ali?"
oh. Myra is doing splendid work she
a reconstruction unit. You see her
mother has gone West to join her sister.
and Myra Is practically free for the
present. She's all over that feeling she
had for Scott, I'm sure. What about
Jack?"
Ruth flushed and laughed. Jack is
all over his feeling for me. Helen. ]
haven't heard from him lately. nor seen
him, but he Is rushing Natalie Jergens
steadily
He was seeing her a great deal when
j left, YOU know. Shes a pretty child,
and ought TO do very well as a wife
for Jack. o. Ruth o glad o should
he that everything came out as It did
for o ". You and Jack were so I'M
suited to each other, while you and
Scott are 80 perfectly mated. I sup
pose YOU are just divinely happy. I'm
almost afraid to see you together In
your home. 1t will bring back SO many
memories"
Blu you will come over soon. won't
YOU? And you'll come often? Helen.
I've just been hungry TO see you and
tell YOU things. I've felt strange since
I've been married. Tell me, did you feel
strange at frst?"
Helen smiled a little TREMENDOUSLY.
Ruth was instantly penitent. II know
oughtn't to ask o that. but I've
heen so eager TO see you I knew you'd
understand"
You mean you feel alone with Scott
and that your life seems. n new thing TO
carve out for yourself, and that you
are absolutely on your own and remote
; from the familiar landmarks you used
to rely on as permanent"
Yes. just that"
OF course ! felt that IA but moth
ing seemed to matter much.
1T know, I understand that. too.
Ruth returned. She wanted to ask Heller
other things, but somehow she could moi
do that now. Something held her back
a loyalty to Scott. a shame-faced hest
fancy for fear that Helen would say tina
she and Jim nae never disagreed, and 9
certain delicacy about speaking of suci
q thing while Helen's heart was still
sore with the loss of Jim.
You see." Ruth went on, 81 really
. haven't had any one intimate to talk to
I've been so alone. And now you'll har'
time to be with me a lot"
Not such a great deal OF time"
Ruth looked surprised. why, what d.
you mean?"
why, Ruth, I'm not going to stay a