The Dolores star., 1922-06-23


But" went on Ruth bleakly, Il
found that the very best l could do
with my music was" She hesitated;
the sight Of Wallace had redoubled
her homssickness. II she had only
had some wonderful triumph to men,
ton. she would have gone back glad
ly to the cheerful village where the
faces were familiar and-here lay the
gist Of the Enthusiastically.
YES" prodded the other, "you got
your chance to show your geniusY"
"NOt exactly. / hunted around and
obtained interviews and presented let
ters Of introduction and pulled every
string, and"-a mirthless little laugh
escaped her as she thought of the
hours Of practice she had put In study
ing the old masters Of real music-'1
was finally lucky enough to get place
In department store to play the
popular music at the music counter"
"Oh." said little Daphne blankly.
don't you hate 1t when you love
Mozart and all7"
"Yes, l do, but 1t pays my board"
Daphne twisted a pearl ring about
know, I'm from Forest Center, a tiny
little town, and I am a reader. I'm
invited to give readings all up and
down the line at the other towns, and
thought that perhaps I'd spend the
winter with auntie and get engage.
ments here. Roscoe, though"
Take 1t from me-" burst out Ruth,
eying the little pearl ring longingly.
"stay at home and get married. r.
to her own amazement, she found her
eyes wet with tears-"wish had"
Wallace went away In white rage.
II was an unheard-of thing for friend
to send down word that she was en-
gagged.
The words of an old-fashioned song
that Ruth sang when she felt espe-
cially friendly rang through his mind
as he trudged through the rain: 81
suppose she never sings that any
more" he reflected.
He had a list Of commissions from
his shop, and he drearily set about
his shopping.
The early dusk Of late fall day
had set In as he turned in at the sta.
among the stream Of umbrellas.
He had forgotten to get sample
punching-bag that was needed Tor dis.
play. II suppose it's too late to get
back in the wholesale shops, but
know they carry the same line Of
goods in a department store not far
from here. I'll have time to rush
back there"
The rain yelling the electric lights
gave the streets q queer orange tint.
and the wet psvsments cleaned up at
him as he hurried back to the store.
As he stepped out Of the crowded
elevator. blare of Jazz music burst
out at him. and he shrugged distaste-
fully. This was the city where Ruth
chose to stay. Well, let her stay. 1t
didn't please him. He preferred home
and peace. He found the punching
bag. and as he stood waiting impa-
tlently for his change his nerves sud
denly relaxed and he slipped his
watch back into his pocket. If he did
miss the train, there were others.
He wondered II Ruth was making
wonderful success Of her playing;
she had lovely soft touch on the
keys that was infinitely soothing-the
salesgirl was holding 3uC his change,
but the customer. a moment before so
impatient. had apparently forgotten
this time. He had just realized that
some one was playing Ruth's song
playing 1t with tender feeling that was
strangely at variance with the bustling
scene where damp shoppers prodded
each other with sharp umbrellas and
struggled for precedence at bargain
tables. Following the lure Of the old
fashioned melody, he found the music
counter, and among the trim of gaudy
music covers he caught a glimpse of
a satlny black head.
Jaw, lay ofrn that old tune" ad.
vised sharp-eyed girl in knee skirts,
play My Own, Own, Own Honey
and get snap into it."
The black-halred girl whirled around
on the cheap music stool and Wal
lace saw the white face of Ruth. A
different Ruth. though. with tired cir
cles under her dark eyes and trem.
ulous droop to her pink mouth: even
her chin looked less determined and
more feminine.
"Wallace," her eyes finally rested on
him and the words burst from her
with unmistakable gladness; then as
he said nothing. deep shamed red
dyed her white face as she recalled
her ungracious message Of the Sunday
previous.
The rather shabby young man in his
raincoat went to the side Of the coun-
ter and leaned across, his eyes fixed
on the pianist. Had enough Of the
clty?" he asked, his blue eyes bold and
confident.
And Ruth. obllvious Of the surging
crowd around them, sighed with relief. |
"Yes." she said earnestly. "let's 60