The Washington times., 1920-03-15
her sister for the truth and
Il received A.

N her sister Tor the truth and
received II.
As she dressed for dinner, afr
parting from Doris at the door Of
her room. she realized that in her
soul she had always feared that the
girl did not truly love the man to
whom she was engaged. Yet she
had hoped against hope that, with
Hugh's return to his normal self
Doris might change her mind again.
But her verdict after seeing Hugh
today carried with II a conviction
whose strength Ruth felt.
II, then, II was certain that Doris,
wished her engagement broken. how
could Hugh be prepared for the
shock?
Mrs. Courtney's voice summoning
her below stairs reminded the
daughter that dinner was ready and
that she was keeping the family
waiting. With hasty glance into
the mirror, she ran downstairs.
There would be an abundance of
time later to consider Doris ulti-
matum. There might yet be a hope
that
She stopped abruptly at the door
of the drawing room. She had not
been told that Ralph Norton was
to dine here tonight Yet Doris
and her mother must have known
of 1t.
Ruth was too we'll bred to display
any sense of discontinue at the
presence Of a guest whom she did
not like.
Good evening"" she greeted him,
politely. Then. I'm sorry I am
late. / did not appreciate that it was
past the dinner hour"
Her mother smiled at her affection
ately. Ruth was really behaving
very well. 1t was plainly best not
to tell her beforehand about any
thing that she might object to
for, II confronted Unexpectedly by
disagreeable situation. she rose
to the occasion.
She continued to behave well"
through dinner. until Doris casually
mentioned Hugh Rodney's name.
Then Ruth subsidized into silence.
She was astonished at her sis
ter's turning the conversation to
her ex-betrothed, for II was thus
that Ruth thought bitterly of the
discarded lover.
II went over to the Rodneys this
afternoon" Doris informed her
mother and guest
Mrs. Courtney raised her eye
brows. Indeed, my dear! did not
know you were going"
mo, mother, you were out all
day." the dutiful daughter remind
ed her. II went because Hugh was
very anxious to have me sing for
him.
She glanced at Ralph Norton and
was satisfied by the expression OF
pain that crossed his face.
"Of course you did not go alone?"
the mother questioned.
mo. indeed! Ruth went with me.
And Hughs sister was there, too
at least when 1 first arrived she
WAS there. Then she went out and
left me to sing to Hugh"
Ralph Norton cleared his throat.
How does he lookr' he forced
himself to ask.
Doris hesitatcd before replying
"a hesitation that gave the oues-
TONER time to grow uneasy.
""Dreadfully!" she murmured,
then, as IL shrinking from the
recollection. HE is SO changed
and he Is getting no better"
Ruth wondered IL she were
wickedly suspicious in fancytng
that a CLEAN of satisfaction came
to the eyes OF the guest.
what about his sight, he
asked. as the poor chap still"
He had the grace to pause for an
instant, but Doris supplied the word
he did not utter.
~Blind? Yes. Entirely blind. I
do not believe he will ever be any
better"
But" her mother intcrposed, at
must have been a great comfort to
him to hear you sing, dear, wasn't
Il? Pathetic, isn't II. Mr.. Norton,
the idea of por Hugh in his dark
ness, longing for the sound of this
little girls sweet voIccT'
at is quite natural, think" the
man replied bluntly. "He was
lucky to have her care enough to
go to him"
"Oh. as to that"-Mrs. Courteney
fastened to correct any unfortunate
Impression she might have pro-
duced-"her going to him was but
a proof of her Observation-Disclosures
Doris has always, been that way
since she was child--ready to
sacrifice herself and her own feel
ings to relieve pain"
"Are we going to have our coffee
in the drawing-room, motherw
Ruth's voice broke in upon the
sentimental platitudes with a sud
denncss that was dissgreeable. III
so, shall we not go In there for II
now7"
Ralph Norton regarded the
younger girl musingly. Was she
Jealous OF her parents love for her
other child? 1t certainly appeared