The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-07-11
Chapter ia
REALIZATION

REALIZATION
Next morning she looked through |
her mail eagerly.
There was no letter, there was no
telegram. She began counting the
hours-the message was sent at 10, he
must have received it at midnight
she sent the regular telegram form.
Perhaps 1t was not delivered until
morning
Then he would have gotten it by Z
o'clock-now it was 8. The place was
not far away-she should get a mes
sage through in less time than that!
She had received wires from the Com
mittee in two hours.
There were several things to be
done that morning. But when she
came back for luncheon there was still
no word. And through conference
with Mr.. Cooper that afternoon, and a
tea with Mrs. Cooper and the always
delightful Newell, she kept wondering
whether word had arrived at her apart
ment.
She refused to stay for dinner. and
went back to her hotel. At the desk
they said no telegram had been re-
ceived. She went up to her rooms,
her heart sinking. Perhaps Langley
did not care so much after all
Att Marie came to see whether she
wanted dinner served in the living
room or whether she would go down
stairs. Then the bell sounded, and
Ruth herself went to open it.
On the threshold stood Langley
Williams.
Ruth never knew what happened to
Marie. Probably that tactful little
French girl withdrew smiling at the
little scene she had witnessed. For
Langley crossed the threshold with one
stride. and Ruth was in his arms.
And she stayed there contentedly.
But after a time she looked up, her
eyes bright with a question. Langley
let her go.
But how did you get here The train
arrives in the morning"
You forget the other line that runs
to Philadelphia. | know It's slow, but
/ got morning train-one hour after
your message came. I don't mind tell
ing you that you woke me up at FIVE
this morning, little lady. | got a milk
train, think, changed at a junction,
changed at another junction, forgot
lunch. arrived in Philadelphia in time
TO miss one train, and waited over for
the next one"
And you haven't had any lunch?"
Nor breakfast" Langley said cheer
fully. Il spent the time in Philadel-
phia sending wires home about the
work | dropped. and trying to reach
you by long distance phone"
I've been out" Ruth answered.
You poor boy, you must be starved"
1T ought to be a proof of my love
starving all daV tn reach Won -
She looked up into his gray eyes,
smiling merrily now. How" could she
ever have thought eyes of any other
color attractive? And the long thick
yellow hair that was thrown back from
his forehead was so becoming.
Suddenly Ruth put her arms around
his neck.
please kiss me again." she begged
& I'm so glad you've come! l like to
have you kiss me-"
After a time Langley began TO laugh.
DO you know, dearest, ! expected
that telegram-only | expected it a
little sooner. Don't you see-we both
outgrew the old loves. They only made
us ready for this-the real love. Only
we both happen to be very romantic
and we neither Of us could see that the
first love was dead-dead and forever
buried. Ruth, do you really love me
now"
Ruth nodded her head Her blue
eyes lit up with the soft glow that only
love can bring.
II love you" she answered, now ant
always. l think l have been in love
with you for a long time, Langley
Wasn't I stupid not TO know it?"
He held her more closely for an in
slant.
1T doesn't matter if you know i
now. We've all the future, you see"
Yes" Ruth answered. "All the fu
ture."
Langley" she began after minut,
II want to tell you-Tim kissed MT
the other night. tried to get away
then just once | let him, | thought it
suppose I felt l was in love. Thel
last night he tried to again-and
hated it. And hated him for doini
it. Langley. I haven't been in low
with Tim for ages. Gaby says it
only an illusion of the old love. Blu
l know-now."
IF you know you love me, it's al
right"
And Langley kissed her again.
Presently they were seated across
small table in a corner of the hote
dining room. Ruth had summonet
Marie again, and had put on her prett
est frock for the dinner. As they sa