Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-07
THE TRIP.
.x~. XyVVyU

THE TRIP.
Chapter XXXV1Il. !,
But fortunately Ruth WAS young, and
che prospect of change IN scene cheereo
her a little But only little.
For certainly nothing so looked for-
vard To was ever undertaken under
norc curious conditions. A little while
aso she would have given anything to
no to the CITY, to be near Tim and Myra-
And now she was going, going IN few
day. And she would be near Tim and
Myrn too, Did Fate ever play more
irpnic trick, she wondered
And than she felt she could not bear
..einu the two together She would GER
tainly 20 to the city. She could not re-
fuse the opportunity, the inspiration 1t
might give her But she could not bear the
thought of seeing her two old trends
somehow she felt Myra had betrayed a
Trust, She did not know how very truth
ful WAS the suspicion.
She would 60, but stay at some quiet
boarding house and not tell hyra uii'h
she had gotten homel
But this plan was not TO work out
either. For her mother, pleased at the
idea chat her daughter, too, was TO 70 see
the CITY. had promptly told Mrs. Weed
"AnA Mrs. Weed says she thinks
there II be room at Myra's new fiat Tor
YOU. and that will save board and you
can stay longer" ~,
"Oh no. I'm sure there won't be d
rather stav alone, Ruth protested
STAY alone, when your best Trend has
\ vacant corner for voui In that case, l
don't think much of city hospitality
Mn. O'Niel said, and went on about her
work. her flat heeled shoes coming down
With q re-echoing thump as she tramped
herr and there about the house.
I've written TO Mvra to expect you
II will he such a glorious experience,
Mn. Weed said in her gentle, kindly way.
Yes" Ruth answered, IN a strained
voice.
n would be an experience, indeed But
how little a glorious one, these women
could never understand. An experience
20 be dreaded, but to be gone through with
for the good that might be IN II
The small trunk was brought out again;
and packed. Ruth's things were oeclareu
TOO shabby, and her aunt announced that
she WAS going to get her good taliored
suit in the city. And the family accounts
were gone over TO see how much money
might really be spared. And IN the end,
Duncan persuaded his wife 70 wlthhoid
. few payments on the taxes, and give the
money TO Sarah to be spent on kuth.
II viii cheer her up. and she's al
vav, wanted to go, he said Let 5 make
!, q really worth while trip with all the
frlvoIties that 90 with IL. don't care II
the house is sold 10 pay its debts, I'd
gladly lose il and make her happy
II think this trip will make her happy
again. It's the natural depression Of a
winter indoors" Mrs. ONiel remarked.
She WAS not the type that could under
stand emotionali.rn. Indeed, her explsna-
,ions were ALWAYS based 90 outside OBJ
serya.ions That is, If Ruth was hollow
eyed and pale-cheeked, II WAS 3 winter
indoors-it was not because the child
might be breaking her heart over some
secret worry.
But some explanation had TO be gwen
Myra, whose upsettlng letter had not
boen answered So Ruth sat down and
wrote
I'm SONY Two been too busy. 70 an
svrr before. l want 70 congratulate you
md Tim on your engagement
Thn,e words stabbed her with sharp
min As she wrote them, but she forced
herself 10 60 on
Tim hasn't written me about IL vet,
but Will. ! suppose. Meantime, my aunt
il here. stopping on her way TO Boston
She want. 10 bring me along as far as New
York. so III see YOU both, and be able TO
congratulate you then.
Again she stopped writing. drawing
long breath TO get rid OF the sTnoth-
cred feeling around her chest
''Your place is too small Tor me, so Il
stsv st some boarding house which Aunt
sarah will find. But I Il be able TO see you
. lot.
Should she write 10 Tim
She tired several times, but every
time she got only as far as Dear Inn
And then her head went down on the desk
and she cried until the tears blotted the
psper she was using But finally she forced
herself 70 do that tOo-It was easier TO
write II the first time than 10 say It.
She would never be able to wish him
happiness-to loek at him, with the
wreck of their old love IN her eyes-and
keep her composure. She would have TO
wish him happiness, and she would do it
better where she could CRY it out as much
ae she wanted And when they met, that
part would be over.
So Ruth forced herself TO the task,
AZ she forced herself TO do everything
necessarv-not knowing or caring, then,
rhst every sacrifice and every hurt was
building UP for her a character that in
the end would make her one Of the best
and bravest OF women.
And finally they were of
At least Ruth felt, looking out the
ear window, II was good to get away
Her old friends at home could not help
but notice the change in her, and that,
coming with the announcement Of Myra S
engagement 10 Tim, would certainly give
thing away They would say he had
''iilted' Ruth The girl shuddered at the
vulgarity of the term and kept her face
70 the window, watching the passing
scenery.
philadelphia this evening, and vel
stay over day" her aunt remarked
comfortably settling back in her seat
Then well 20 on 10 New York. It's
only couple of hours from one city tc
the other
So, after all, Ruth was on her way tC
the one place in the world she wantec
10 see
Torrow Arrival.
Tt~I - Il r