Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-23

She hurried into the tiny kitchenette She
was transngured. Suddenly she was back at
the door. peerng in at him with face in which
sheer rapture famed.
"Have you enough ready money!" she asked
excitedy. -.. ..... ....-
He nodded.
Il always keep 500 in the secret drawer in
my DESK you know, for emergencies. Don't you
remember? told you that
yes" she eagerly corroborated. II had
forgotten"
She flashed back to the kitchen, and he
heard her quick movements as she cooked the
simple meal she had already prepared Billy
did his telephoning as briskly as the operator
permitted but with an odd fatness in his tone
There was an odd fatness In his spirits. aso
which he hardly dared to anayze With Ruth
his own life was utterly complete With her
beside him he could not imagine himself missing
anything or anybody on this earth. But no doubt
1t was different with girls. Just the same. it
was a bit unsettling to discover abruptly that
he did not fill every chnk of his brides life to
the degree in which she filled his.
These reflections accompanied him to the
Pullman car and into the section in which, until
their berths were made up, they sat side by
side looking out at the changing landscape.
Ruth's silence was that of absolute contentment
and ecstatic expectancy. Her brown eyes shone
like those Of happy child. After time she
slipped her fingers into his and his hand closed
promptly upon them
"You'rs simply wonderful, Billy darling"
she breathed. II don't believe that any one else
would rush of with me like this at moments
notice."
"Any one would who loved you do,"
said Billy quietly. "rhe one thing in life I
simply couldn't stand, Ruth, is to see you un-
happy You've got to be happy" he ended al
most nercely. You've got to be happy-al-
ways"
Her grasp on his hand frightened. II will
be-" she said. II am" Her voice dropped to
a whisper. How could help It when have
you!"
The joyous wave Of welcome from Ruths
mother and schoolgirl sister lifted Billy on its
crest and carried him along with the rejoicing
trio. He was glad he had come. There was
something unusual in the atmosphere Of the
big, comfortable old house, which seemed to en-
fold them in protecting wings.
Billy had always enjoyed it during the brief
week-ends Of his courtship. He enjoyed it
again now, and felt deep new thrill that night
when he accompanied Ruth across the threshold
Of her grlhood room, which remained exactly as
she had left 1t. Having no mother or sister of
his own, he enjoyed the petting given him by
Ruths mother and Elsie and the genuine af-
fcction they showed him. Here was family
circle worth possessing He felt sense Of per-
sonal loss In not having known Ruths father,
who had died when Elsie was baby. As an
expression Of his appreciation, on Sunday noon
at the family table he offered supreme sacri-
fee,
why don't you stay on week two with
mother and Elsie?" he suggested to Ruth in
tone he tried to make casual. 'I can batch
along all right in the fiat till you get back!'
On the instant the air filled with the
eager voices of Mrs. Boyden and Elsie. approx
ing the suggestion. Ruth herself did not speak
for moment. but Billy, with steadfast eyes up
on her. realized that she was actually consider
ing the idea. Something queer happened in the
region Of his heart. At last she shook her head.
NO" she said firmly. I'm going back with
you" And she laid soft poultice over poor
Billy's torn sensibilities. Il couldn't be happy
a moment, thinking Of you there all alone
Returning to New York that night in the
sleeper her young husband revealed his SYM
pathetic understanding of his brides position
"Tve been thinking things out, Ruth" he
said, "and feel pretty bad about them. You
see, what I've done is to take you out of COM
munity where everybody knew and loved you.
and transplant you into big city where you
don't know human being but me. 1t must be
simply awful for you-and the worst thinr about
It is that 1 never realized what it would mean
to you"