The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-07-05
Chapter 100

Chapter 1O9 II
Gaby stood perfectly still, watching
Ruth There was an awkward silence
then the little actress walked over and
put one hand on the other girls
shoulder
You are in love with him then"
she said. Poor Ruthiet"
Ruth turned around in the chair.
She had not been crying, as Gaby
thought.
With whom?" she asked, Langley
or TIM"
Langley" Gaby answered. Other
wise you wouldn't have looked 500 !
desolate when you denied being en-
gagged to him just now. But it was a /
good story to tell Myra-she can't say /
ANYTHING from now on"
Ruth was quiet a moment. Then she
smiled a little.
You'll think have an awfully hard /
time" she said. First it was Tim who
didn't like me, now Langley. You
must think I have a continuous brok |
en- heart"
Gaby was always ready to take the
light side of any subject. so she
jumped eagerly at this opening.
mo | don't" she answered, and be-
gan to laugh too. Il really hoped you
liked Langley Williams. / only met
him once at your place, when | stayed
those few days with you, but he seem
ed to me to be an extra fine chap, and
Just the sort for you. l suspected then
he was in love, but you denied it. And
you've denied all along that you were
in love with him. BY all the rules of
logic you ought to be-"
Il don't suppose we ever fall in love
with the logical person, though" Ruth
answered. 81 would have done it, only
there was always Tim in the back of
my head. Langley's lots more logical
than I"
Most men are" Gaby interrupted.
And he seemed to think if | came
here might get this old affair out of
my head, probably because I'd seen
Tim and Myra together and it would
be forcibly impressed on me that they
were married" Ruth went on. That's
one reason Langley sent me for such
long stay"
And you've seen them and we've
agreed they're not interesting any
more, that you've outgrown Tim"
II know | think | would be mis-
cradle married to Tim. tied up all day
in a tiny dark flat with my own work
to do, and being poor. and not being
able to think my husband was a sue
cess"
Il told you You've outgrown Tim.
We try to pretend that love is every
thing, but love in a bandbox of flat,
four flights up"
NO. don't think would mind the
poverty, if---well, If l cared as much
as did three or four years ago. Prob
ably I'm tickle"
Probably you have some common
sense" Gaby remarked scornfully.
81 think my own success has spoil
ed It," Ruth went on, looking dolefully
at her friend. 81 always looked up to
Tim Now I can't. He hasn't the
business ability l have and he hasn't
the strength of character l have. Has
he?"
He hasn't, Gaby walked over the
room and started TO put on her coat.
"Ruthie dear, think you are over be-
ing in love with Tim. His performance
last night, his cowardice in thrusting
the lie on you, when it was he who
really lied-well, that ought to end
it,"
But II think liked his kiss" A
deep red ran to Ruth's cheeks as she
made this confession. Il couldn't have
liked that without being in love with
hrY, and | couldn't be in love with
Langley if l am in love with Tim
So"
Gaby laughed suddenly, adjusting
her smart little hat before the mirror
"Ruthie. think you are a dear
sweet. innocent little goose. Go or
back to Marketown and tell Langley
you are in love with him, and you'll
forget Tim and Myra and all thi:
wretched business. At least we are rio
of her. She never deserved YOU
friendship, anyway"
Ruth said nothing. She just watch
ed Gaby as she pulled on her gloves
You're awfully pretty and you're
awfully sincere" she said, suddenl!
changing the subject You are al
sorts Of contradictions, Gaby."
The girl laughed.
You are awfully pretty too, ant
much more sincere than lightheadet
me. Do you like my hat? Fifty dollar
at Wayne's."
Ruth smiled
Il can't lecture you on extraganc
after I've been spending so mucl
money on myself. Will you phone M
tomorrow? I'm tired out think II
90 to bed right after dinner"
But as it turned out she did nothin
of the sort She went alone TO tn
big hotel dining room, and ate at
small table in a corner where she wa
partly concealed. She thought by be
ing early she would avoid the crow
of diners that filled the place even o.
Sunday evenings.
She was getting little tired of til
gilt and the mirrors, the army OF I'm
formed servants, the eternal buzz c
hundreds of human voices whereve
she went. She watched one of tn