Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-03
The Daily Novelette,
Della

and they had intended to sell the cot.
tagc belonging to the sisters 30 that
Della could have the money for her.
self. that she might never feel In tht
slightest degree dependent. When thu
invalid was Informed of the plans. how.
ever, she grew greatly excited and went
into Mysteries. She refused absolutely
to leave her home or to allow Ed Black
to make one Of the family. She seemed
Mortified at Ruth's selishnees in cor
templating marriage. She said she could
not last more than year at most. and
surely Ruth could put on her marriage
that long.
"And all that happened" reflected
Mrs. Morrow. "nine years ago. Ruth
was twenty .one years old then. Now
she's thirty and old Della is good for
twenty years yet. She looks healthier" "
The next day Ruth was obliged to
| take one of her pupils home. The
child lived two miles out in the country
and Ed Black, who oddly enough hap.
pened to drop in to speak to her, Of
fcred to drive them out. . Ruth sent
one Of the girls with message to
Della, and. with an unwonted feeling
Of relief from the duties. Of school.
down the snowy road.
The little girl, who had complained
Of some childish ailment. was left with
her mother, who smiled rather nys.
tcriously at Ed Black. Mrs. Morrow
was there. and asked Ruth to stay. but
she was anxious to get back to attend
to Della. Az they left the yard Ed
called the girls attention to flock Of
birds going south and In some manner
his clutch on the wheel sweryed and
the car tipped over.
Ruth. shaken and frightened, was
helped into the house, and Mrs. Nor.
row. promising to look after Della, went
back with Ed.
The Doctors wife seemed strangely
clumsy in her housewOrk. The stove
began to smoke and the tray that she
prepared so eagerly did not ut all please
ii can't drink that tea. It boiled.
I never have my steak fried, Ruth
broils It," she complained.
"Oh, well, YOU oughtn't to eat much
lying in bed. Ruth will be laid up for
few weeks. l guess" said Mrs. Nor.
row placidly. Guess her ankle is
twisted. Good thing it is the last day
lose any money. I'll send old Mrs.
~ won't have her, Della fairly
screamed. "She isn't neat and no one
understands my ways AS"
'You might as well be patient. OF
course, you cant hire any one like
Ruth. She is frightfully sorry, but the
doctor won't let her step on her foot, If
you could get about and wait on her she
might be moved home" Mrs. Morrow
filled the stove and Goals dropped and
rolled over the clean rag carpet. With.
out noticing this she hurried out to the
kitchen and left the back door open SO
that dog ran in. my, but it's q
lovely day." she beamed. returning and
picking up the untouched tray. "I'H
more coal for you" She luneed against
the foot of the bed, disarranging the
coverings. and went out, slamming doors
behind her.
Della lay staring after her. She was
distinctly hungry. Ruth would have
coaxed her into eating. Ruth would be
gone for weeks.
The dog scratched at the back door
and managed to push it open and he
rushed in bringing an icy blast Of wind
and considerable snow.
An hour later saw Della with her.
bronchitis of years. standing quite for.
gotten. She was attending to the house.
hold affairs competently when Ed
stopped in after supper.
II don't know why you and Ruth
don t get married. remarked the inva.
lid. IL am feeling all right again, but"
her black eyes snapped, mo thanks TO
that silly Mrs. Morrow. going out and
not fastening the door behind her.
Ruth never knew of the kindly con-
spiracy that resulted in her release from
q wholly imaginary duty, but Mrs. Nor.
row often fancied that she detected a