Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-21
And So They
I Were Married
By HAZEL DEYO BATCHELOR
COPYRIGHT, 1919, Jv Public Ledger Co.
START THIS STORY ~oDAY

cOmplacent Helen lOWnsenu ap
peared at the crucial moment and rob-
bed her of her self assurance. 1t was
one morning shortly after the dance
when Ruth was sitting curled up in one
of the big chairs manicuring her nails
that Helen ran in on her.
Ruth was genuinely glad to see
Helen. In fact the only time she did
not like to see her was when she felt
guilty and lacking about something and
knew that Helen understood This
morning she had no such guilty con-
science. There was no minor position
to apologize for; her art lessons were
going we'll A.; she did not even envy Helen
her place in business. Hadn't she tried
limbusiness and didn't she realize now
that there were s,me women who simply
did not belong in business Office?
Glow is it you're not working?'
Ruth asked as she opened the door for
Helen and drew Rer into the living room
where she ensconced her in comfort
able chair and went on with her mani
curing with all of the easy acceptance
of friendship.
'I'm on a little vacation Helen
responded briskly. And what are you
doing this wonderful day lounging about
in your kimono at II o'clock"'
Ruth sighed good humoredly. DO
YOU know she drawled, "since you We
made good in business you have the most
aggravating way of nagging at people.
Or perhdps you nag only at me, any
way, you re sort of an official censor of
1ikn nonr1v we'll
personally as I did before you were so
Efficient
Helen flushed deeply. You're jok
ing
Ruth polished her pink finger nail
reflectively and shook her head. mo,
I'm not"
"Well, I'll have to mend my ways
then
Ruth nodded. "You see you've lost
+ the light manner that you used to have !;
you act as though any foolishness would
be beneath you. Now that we're on the
subject. want to be frank" Ruth said,
raising serious eyes. Il really meant it,
Helen
"I see you do" Helen's tone was
grave.
"Well, then, why do you do it? I
don't see any reason why you should
change, do you?'
"Did you ever stop to think that you
have changed. too?''
"I?'' Ruth's tone was laughingly
incredulous.
Eyes, really you have
"How?'
Marriage has changed you. You
seem so careless of important things.
Take for instance, your friendship with
Jack Bond
Ruth stiffened in her chair. 81 knew
that you were about to say something
Of the kind she said evenly. "Well,
what about it?'
II don't think you ought to try to
make yourself so dangerously attractive
to Jack, Ruth he's married to Natalie.
Why don't you leave him alone?'
''Leave him alone. Why, what dc
you mean? 1 don't do the slightest thing
to attract Jack"
''You don't try not to attract him
though, do you? Ruth, don't be angry"
''But am angry. You haye no right
to say this to me. If any one has the
right, it is Scott's, and he sees nothing
wrong in my BEHAVIOR
''Scott isn't the kind of man to inter
fere," Helen interposed.
"Well, then, l hardly think that 1t is
within your jurisdiction" Ruth was
coldly furious.
''I'm thinking of Natalie. OF course
YOU don't understand. But you do know
this, Ruth-JaSk has always like you.
and after all, Natalie hasn't great
deal of sex appeal. It's going to &C
hard with her if she loses Jacks love
Il and it would be SO easy for you not tc
be attractive, not to encourage his at
tentions.."
II haven't any pity for a woman who
can't hold her husband Ruth did not
mean what she said. She knew it after
the words were out of her mouth, but
she was so angry with Helen that she
hardly knew what she was saying.
II have" And Helen rose to 60.
Ruth rose too, gathering her kimono
about her. She wanted to ask Helen
not to go. Way down in her heart she
Sshe had taken, but Heen's interference
smothered everything else, and she had
no idea of captivating to her.
asr-st lHeSe tWO girls WHO Hdu Deen tne
closest friends, who had been drawn to :
gether in bonds that at one time neither
would have thought could be broken
stood hooking at each other over a wild =
ening chasm. Each thought the other
had changed. Ruth through her mar
riage, Helen through her business posi- =
ton, and each was right. While there
was common ground between them, com
mon suffering and give and take, it was
possible for each to understand the
other. Now everything was changed
1t is always that way with women who
grow, no matter in which direction it is
Unless they grow together, they grow
away from each other and almost in
yariably never return to the same friend
ship that they once had for each other.
I'm the next installment letter
Ehas Snme unha anninaSS