Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-30
PASSING DAYS
Chapter LVlll.

Caby fitted off the next day ne
lAet Ruth SAW of her was white gioVed
hand waved from the car window, ano
tho glimpse of the dark eyed lace ana IFS
frame Of black hair under white ieatner
hat. Ruth went back to her oiiice, ha'itS
its dullness and stupidity, the hours WIN
nothing to do. the silly people who came
in wanting cheap little houses, the men
who were late in paying their rent.
Why should she waste her time IKE
thi.9 She was capable of good work yet
she could do nothing but write an oc-
oasional letter and collect rent Tor oaaiy
constructed houses. Asfar rs ,tne oinCn
went. she did all the work. The good
natured man who wac supposed 10 run
the place. seeing that Ruth was competent; :;
spent mos, of his time out of doors, ana
sometimes never came IN Tor days
If she could run this stupid ofhce'
she could run n big business :,
But she could not go into oig oity
Office with only this experience Hiit
get enough money TO support heison
In the town, and send money nome zoe.
Besides this, her father was gro"ine
daily weaker and more depehoei' on
her.
s, ,hcre WINS no chance 70 be looked
for anywhere Probably she would grow
old. like Mrs Bclding, and never do any
thing but hold $40 n week lob'
And this was the least gloomy, OF ner
thoughts Tuesday passed w ednesday
came. Ruth, sitting in her office with nor
a thing to do but read le' her thoughts
travel TO New York.
They were being married -pernapa
now. Tim would look so handsome IN
nice suit. Myra would be IN some ox-
ouisite gown cleaning satin and so't
tulle and lace. and her golden ha,r tha'
fell into such lovely natural waves
would look wonderful against the pure
whiteness of her dress. And her cheeks
always flushed so prettily, would be plnkei
stilI from eycitement-sn Tim would look
at her and think she was the most healltl-
ful woman he ever saw And Mr.. and Nlrs
Weed would be there, watching the cere.
mouy the simple repetition OF 3 form OF
words that would make Tim and Riyra
man and wife-and they would so away
together
The girl dropped her head on her
desk and sohbed hysterirallv, giving
AWAY once more TO her emotions ana
CRYING until most OF the nervousness
had left her
II can't stand this. she said aloud
b herself And she put on her hat and
coat and left the office, turning from me
town in the direction OF the country She
did not know, nor care, where she was
gong
She went through the factory district
aaaYn. depressed still more by ITS dcpres-
son. To Be sure. the factory's gym was
new centre of social life and moro whole
some ono than the dance hall that more
or lev. adorned that part Of town To he
sure. The children could stay of the
street. and during these cold days could
he warm and happy in the big playroom
that WAS all Ruth's work.
But these things did not comfort her.
Nor did the Thought that the club
abe had formed in the town WAS success
r1v~ her any comfort She almost hated
rt-Aud the girls sssd boys that were IN II,
They danccd-for every two weeks now
this great social event took place. They
l.rnhed and fired Some were learning
to plav bridge. a few had started an after
noon clase for rraiing and another for
sewing. and they were thinking of raising
Che due and hirinz one Of the cheap
lit4le houses in the new section OF the
town
Next summer they would have coun-
trv nl,ceL Ruth had told then-a farm
hr,-e within easy walking distance, and
tennis and other sports. And Ruth, presi-
dent Of the club, was cheered for this plan.
Put none of thi. made her feel happier
The long road running INTO the coun-
try looked suddenly rather forbiddins.
1t wns getting late, nearly five, and the
short day was darkening Behind her the
factory was full of light-Ruth turned
ON an impulse. and walked through the
vari into the Office. She found Langleys
room.
"Do Won want 10 do something for
mep" she asked.
He stood up at his desk.
"Of course" he said Peel badly
RUTH You look all in
81 want TO walk" she said II want
70 walk miles, fast as fast as | can, and
not come back until I'm too tired TO
move"
"Finei Wen tramp 70 Newton That $
five miles, and get supper there. Il send
word bv one OF the boys so your mother
wont expect YOU. Then we'll come back
by the trolley, or walk, If you are not
too tired"
And they started off down the long
road together. while the sky dsrkened
and the wintrv trees that had stood
out like gray lace against its lllumina-
ton. gradually blurred and the whole
world was swallowed up in the evening
shadows.
Ruth did not say word. She simply
kept walking so fast that even the man
had to quicken his steps to keep with her.
And he said nothing either, feeling her
mood and responding to 1t.
But as they sat at supper IN the one
restaurant of this other little town, Ruth
made an effort to talk 1t was hard, for
her mind was always on TIm-and
Myra-Tim and the heavy weight that
was her heart
We'll walk back, and you'll be tired
enough TO sleep, the man said, as they
got up to GO We'll take the trolley
road, in case you want to ride part way
Don't talk. ! know how you fee"
How do YOU know" Ruth asked
wondering II tile.
'I1l tell you sometime. What YOU
are going through I've been through
too. Don't try to talk OF if now, walk fast
ii YOU are out too late your mother will
worry.
Tomorrow Work and Play.