The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-05-05
PASSING DAYS.
CHAPTER So.

Gaby fitted OF the next day. The
last Ruth saw Of her was her white
gloved hand waved from the car win
dow, and the glimpse of the dark-eyed
face and its frame of black hair under
a white feather hat. Ruth went back
to her office. hating it's dullness and
stupidity. the hours with nothing to
do, the silly people who came in want
ing cheap little houses, the men who
were late in paying their rent.
Why should she waste her time like
this? She was capable of good work
yet she could do nothing but write
an occasional letter and collect rents
for badly constructed houses. AS far
as the office went, she did all the
work The good natured man who
was supposed to run the place, seeing
that Ruth was competent, spent most
IF his time out of doors, and some
times never came in for days
If she could run this stupid Office,
she could run a big business.
But she could not go into big city
office with only this experience and
get enough money to support herself
in the town, and send money home
too. Besides this. her father was
growing daily weaker and more de-
pendent on her.
So there was no chance to be looked
for anywhere! Probably she would
grow old. like Mrs. Bedding, and never
do anything but hold a SO a week
job!
And this was the least gloomy OF
her thoughts. Tuesday passed-Wed-
nesday came. Ruth, sitting in her
office with not a thing to do but read,
let her thoughts travel to New York
They were being married-perhaps
now. Tim would look so handsome
in nice suit, Myra would be in some
exquisite gown-gleaming satin and
soft tulle and lace, and her golden
hair that fell into such lovely natural
waves, would look wonderful against
The pure Wilderness of her dress. And
Ter cheeks, always flushed so prettily,
would be pi1ker still from excitement
and Tim would look at her and
.hink she was the most beautiful wo-
nan he ever saw! And Mr.. and Mrs
Weed would be there, watching the
;eremony-the simple repetition of a
'orm of words that would make Tim
and Myra man and wife-and they
would go away together
The girl dropped her head on her
desk and sobbed Historically, giving
away once more to her emotions, and
crying until most of the nervousness
had left her.
Il can't stand this" she said aloud
to herself. And she put on her hat
and coat and left the office, turning
from the town in the direction of the
country. She did not know, nor care,
where she was going.
She went through the factory dis
trict again. depressed still more by its
depression. To be sure, the factory
gym was a new centre of social life
and a more wholesome one than the
dance hall that. more or less. adorned
that part Of town. To be sure, the
children could stay off the street, and
during these cold days could be 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 she had formed in the town was
success, give her any comfort. She
almost hated it-and the girls and
boys that were in it. They danced
for every two weeks now this great
social event took place. They laugh
ed and firted. Some we're learning to
play bridge, IA few had started an
afternoon class for reading and an
other for sewing, and they were think
ing of raising the dues and hiring one
of the cheap little houses in the new
section of the town.
Next summer they would have a
country place. Ruth had told them--a
farmhouse within easy walking dis
lance. and tennis and other sports.
And Ruth, president of the club. was
eheered for this plan. But none of
this made her feel happier
The long road running into the
country looked suddenly rather for
bidding. 1t was getting late, nearly
five. and the short day was darkening
Behind her the factory was full of
ljght-Ruth turned, on an impulse
and walked through, the yard into the
office. She found Langleys room
DO you want to do something for
me-" she asked
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