Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-02-21
CHAYTrR CHI.

All through tiit hhhH AANtaA'
went over and over the problem. AS
Gaby had said, the fact that one WAS
married might not prevent another
from being in love. Tim was married,
and fight as she would, she knew that
all this time she had still cared Tor
him
But all along she was sure he cared
for NIyra, and not for her. AZ least
she had the satisfaction of knowing
Tim was happy even though she nat
urally felt he would have been happier
with her
And now II seemed TO her that Tim
was in love with her-either he had
never gotten over the old affection, or
else il had come to life again when he
saw her
And what should she do now? For
this was infinitely worse than before
Yet she gloried a little in the fact that
he did love her II troubled her con
science, but it could not help but soothe
a certain feminine feeling that Ruth had
deep inside her 1t was not vanity
she was incapable Of being vain. II WAS
merely that An affection returned N
kind is always happiness.
But il brought up 50 many problems!
Finally she went to sleep, deciding to
phone tho always sympathetic Gahy
and talk il All over with her.
Ga,v's first remark, after Ruth had
gwen her the whole story next day,
"wen, I thought that might hap
pen!"
greatest astonishment Why
Because YOU had that effect on hum
the other time YOU werc here, when ne
WAS engaged 10 Mvra.
How did YOU know he kissed me
them" Ruth looked very much puz-
zIed, for that lmpulsive goodbye ~ the
doorway Of the cheap little boarding
house had been locked up in her breast
ever since.
Gabv laughed. leaning back on the
couch, and looking at Ruth with kindly
amusement.
what a dear innocent baby you are
in spite of your large salary and yourr
model factory town, she said
didn't know about that. Ruthie You
never told. But l did know that hc
started 70 fall in love with you all over
again. And he was only engaged 70
Myra then.
''Now. when he's married, the
struggle TO he faithful, even n his
thoughts. would be much stronger, be-
cause Tim Is really the best man ~
the world in his intentions, and would
have no idea of harming Myra. But
YOU are so much prettIer than you We're
you have everything IN your iavor
now
Don't you see?" she went on,
when YOU came here before, you were
tired. unhappy, over-worked, worried,
and poor and shabby That's q com
bination TO make anyone unlnteresting
to man of Tins type Now you
come back-youve got a whole suite
Of rooms in one Of the finest hotels,
YOU wear lovely clothes and fix your
hair so as to look your best, you have
g. poise YOU lacked before, you have
money. success. the papers talk about
YOU, the Coopers have taken YOU up
you've everything TO make Inn tall IN
love
1T was curious that Mvra should
have phoned just-well, Just when / I'M
kissed me, Ruth said, looking medl-
.tatively at her guest. 'Gaby, do you
suppose she knows?
no, of course not She's too sure
of Tim and her own charms. WaIi
FIVE years-then she'll see she isn't as
facinating as she thinks
Il wish she wasn't coming, Ruth
said nervously. "It's curious she should
have phoned to ask whether he had
been here. II wasn't very
fWell, tact was never Myra' strong
est points" Gaby ansered, playing idly
with some tassels on sash. How
ever, we'll see when she comes. She
should be here"
"But what shall l do?" Ruth asked
'TYou haven't helped me. believe
you're glad Tim seems to be In love
with me"
Gaby laughed again.
81 know 1t 8 wrong, but am, she
said 'You spent so many years feel
ing miserable because Of him, now let
him spend few years feeling sorry
because Of you. Yes, | hope he Is u
love with you-it would do him good
''But he's married.
81 know, but Myra doesn't particu-
larly deserve him-oT anyone nice.
Butt makes it worse. He'll come
around again. ] can't help it. He
kissed me once, how can l stop him
if he tries TO again? can refuse tc
see Tim, but he'll come anyway"
ooh, that part Well, the only thing
to do is to get away. Can't you finish
up your business and go home again
know, he'll make himself nuisance
'T can't go back yet. Not for q
week or two" Ruth = swered. "YoI
should see the list Of thngs I've YET
to do and the people have to see The
Committee sends me new work every
day. They're even thinking of putting
me in charge of temporary New
York Officer
"Wel, then you'll just have to fghr
it out, +" Gaby answered. '1'll back you
and you're plucky fighter"
But Ruth doubted her strength whel
her heart was involved.
Tomorrow-The Tea Party.