The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-06-03
Chapter So
RUTH SEES SOCIETY


AS Ruth said she had thought Of
looking up some Old friends in the city,
a sudden dread of seeing Tim and
Myra came over her. Yet she knew
she had to see them some time during
her stay
The big man waited a moment. Then
he said:
of course | can understand how
much you would like to hunt up people
you know. But if you could let that
wait day. I'd like TO have you join
a party my wife has on tonight. 1t
isn't mCch-some few friends"
The girl seized this excuse, any ex-
cuse, to put off the day when she would
have to see Tim. And it ended by
Mr.. Cooper calling up his home from
the telephone-they had a phone in
every room in her suite except the
bath, and she vaguely wondered why
they did not put one there as we'll in
their general lavishness,
So it was arranged that Ruth was to
dine with the Coopers at $50 Mr.
Cooper and his secretary left, and
Ruth called in the hotel maid. feeling
somewhat helpless over this very fine
affair. Something was said about go
ing to the last act of a show after
dinner
You'd better have tea first" she
was advised. and, feeling that she
knew nothing in comparison to these
trained hotel employees, she obedient-
ly ate buttered toast and drank the hot
tea served so beautifully in her little
panelled boudoir.
Then, still feeling helpless, she sent
for Miss Vance.
I've never been to big social func-
ton. What happens? What do l wear
ard how must act?"
Little Miss Vance rose efficiently to
this occasion, as she did to all others.
She gave Ruth more information than
the girl could we'll remember, and
ended by advising her to battle and
resi- until time to dress.
Ave Marie dress your hair she
said in parting. and wear the blue and
silver We bought yesterday. You will
look 16."
The French maid caught up the idea
at once.
1T is my pleasure to make the old
women look young" she confded as
she combed out Ruth's hair. And you
are already young. You wait and see
what | do
And Ruth. dressed and ready, stared
at her transformed self once more
with uncomprehending eyes. With
def touches at her dark hair and with
the aid of powder and the fashionable
dress, she had made the girl from the
small town look like the smartest pro-
duct Of the metropolis. Yet she had
made her look younger - scarcely
more than IS.
And that was the opinion of the peo-
pie who met Ruth at the big Cooper
house
But it's your mother who is doing
these wonderful things" Mrs. Cooper
insisted, after Ruth was introduced.
1t can't be YOU"
Yes. it is" And Ruth smiled a
little shyly as Mr.. Cooper answered
his wife.
You're such a child. I expected
nothing less than middle-aged
woman. Indeed, you must be wonder
Why you're no older than my daughter
and she's still at college"
I'm older than l look" Ruth tried
to justify her youthful appearance this
brought a general laugh.
The place seemed very gorgeous to
the girl. who never knew that any
room in a private house could be so
large. The Ccopers had gone in" for
old English things; the room was like
2 medieval baronial hall with its gi-
gantic fireplace; the furniture was
handsome, if not specially comfortable.
All the men wore evening dress and
all the vomen's dresses cut so low
Ruth could not help staring a little, in
frank WOnderment as to how they
really stayed on. And she never
dreamed there were so many diamonds
in the world.
But she enjoyed the dinner immense
". Mr.. Cooper had spread around the
tory Of what she had done for her
nall town, and it had lost nothing in
te telling She found herself a hero
ID. among these smart and up-to-date
pople, and her youth and the pretti-
nts lent by her nice clothes and her