The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-03-16
The Girl Who Had No Chance
BY MARION RuBlNcAM

bread. and found her mother pulling
out the rich brown loaves from the
oven. - - -.
But you were going to let that go
for me to do this morning." Ruth pro-
tested.
Il can do it better than you, and
anyway. I'll be having long rest while
you'll have work enough" Mrs. O'Neil
answered. "At least l can bake up
enough bread to last you a week.
Whens Mrs. Bedding coming over?"
This afternoon, as soon as she's fin
ished with Mrs. James sewing" Ruth
anwered, tying on big apron. I'm
giving her the little room next to mine,
then We'll shut up your room and
Fathers, and that will save cleaning
That's WISE" Mrs. O'Neil approved.
And, Ruth, you'd better can a lot OF
apple sauce before those apples rot.
1t will make desserts for this winter"
Il know" the girl answered, begin
! ming to set the table for breakfast.
Il wish didn't worry about you so.
1t seems wicked to go off and leave
you like this
'Oh, Mother, don't talk that way"
Ruth protested, almost impatiently. Il
won't be alone because Mrs. Bedding
will be with me, and know just how
much money can draw every week to
live on
But Mrs. O'Neil continued with ad-
vice and instruction as she made up
the lunch they were to eat on the train,
and as she finished putting clothes
into the one trunk and the big suit
case that they were taking.
Fortunately, your Aunt Sarah lives
IN the south where it's warm" she re-
marked, coming back to the kitchen to
tres, some wrinkles from her best"
waist My summer clothes can be
made fairly presentable, but my win
ter ones are pretty hopeless. At least
shan't have to buy anything warm
this year.
Not if you stay till spring" Ruth
answered. And you'd better if you
can. Fathers always worse in bad
weather"
Duncan O'Neil came down to break
fast, plainly excited at the prospect of
the trip.
IF only you were going he said,
putting an arm around Ruth as she
came in from the kitchen. Il feel like
such baby, to be taking my daugh-
ter's money for pleasure trip"
It's health trip, and you're to
come back feeling fine" Ruth answer
ed, adopting the soothing maternal
tone she often used when talking with
him.
Ruth. you won't do anything silly
or sentimental-like getting married.
while I'm away?" he asked anxiously.
Don't worry Father, won't. When
anything like that happens I'll let you
know about it long time in advance
Tive kept you down long enough
with my own worthlessness and help
lessness,' the man said, ''if you marry
one of the Marketown boys. you'll only
sort of thing
came back again-Tim was a Market
own boy-but how different from all
the others, she decided.
And eventually, they stood on the
station PLATFORM waiting for the 10
cal" that was almost always late. 1t
was only 10 o'clock, but Ruth felt as
though she had lived through a whole
day.
You'd better lie down and rest
when you get back. you look tired out"
her mother advised.
Ruth nodded her head. She was
tired, awfully tired.
The train came in at last, and Ruth
went on board long enough to see both
Of them settled comfortably in seat.
Then she kissed them both goodbye
hurriedly. glad that the whistle was
blowing so the farewell need not be
prolonged.
She was tired, and she was nervous.
and she hated walking back alone
through the streets to the empty
house.
AS she turned from the station plat
form when the train had gone, it was
to find Tim waiting on the steps, an
eager smile on his face.
But you shouldn't be away from
your Office she protested as he walk
ed back with her.
oh, the old man won't know he
answered easily. And ] knew you
would feel blue. So lit out and came
down to walk home with YOU
Observation-Disclosures Refused