The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-08-22
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LETTER FROM LESLIE PRES
COTT TO RUTH BURKE, CON-
TINUED

LII L L LII L IhOAh 4AIAkoA<ILZ L 4N4AO-
COTT TO RUTH BURKE, CON-
TINUED
Mother was so heartbroken over
Alice, she kept saying that she
wished she had not sent her to Eng
land. I tried to comfort her, Ruth,
and although l think that England
did not do her any good, 1 did not
tell mother so. Instead I said;
II do not believe living in England
made any particular difference in
Alice, mother. If you will remem-
Der she always insisted on having
her own way, and she was not al
ways too scrupulous as to the meth
Cd by which she got IL.
II wonder if you remember, moth
err dear that when I was married we
were surprised one day when she
gave a very vigorous opinion Of me
for not marrying Karl. 1 think even
before that she was in love with him
that is, in love as much as she can
love any one except herself"
Hush, Leslie" said my mother,
although she has wronged you,
you must not feel so bitter toward
her"
why should I not? Wouldn't
you feel bitter, mother, toward some
one who tried and who has appar-
emily succeeded in breaking up your
home? I hardly thought it would be
my own sister. I could even for
give another woman more easily.
Thank God she Is married to Karl,
and 1 don't think she will worry
about me any longer-at least she
oughtn't to.
Karl Whitney has always ap-
pealed to Ahce's romantic tenden-
cies. He has been the hero around
whom she has dramatized her own
emotions, and she probably thought
it would be a very dramatic episode
to snatch him away from the other
woman, even if that other woman
was I.
She's a very jealous woman,
mother. She not only wants to
stand first in Karl Whitney's eyes,
but in yours and dads as well as
in the eyes of every other person
she happens to like. The reason she
is fond Of England Is because the
English made much Of her, and the
reason she doesn't like America any
more Is because when she came back
1t was only TO he one OF number
Of bright girls as clear and perhaps
more beautiful than herself"
You see. Ruth dear, I did not
mean to be so unforgiving; at least
I did not mean to say all these
things to mother, for after all, Alice
is mothers daughter, but az 7 was
speaking It came over me again how
by writing that anonymous letter
she had widened the misunderstand-
ing between Jack and me. I was
furious.
Mother made me promise at the
last. after I had shown her the let
ter which Alice wrote. that I would
not tell dad. as I had threatened.
1T is bad enough" she said FOR
John TO know what Alice has done"
He may never know" I an
swered bitterly. He hasn't an
swered your telegram, mother. am
not sure whether he will come or
not. I've grown so sick and dis
gusted over that string OF pearls
that II 1t were not for giving them
TO Alice and letting her triumph over
ne. I would send them all back to
her and be glad to get rid OF thera."
That's 1t, daughter. We make
greater sacrifices always, to our
pride than we do to our love. The
easiest way in the world to settle
this whole thing would be for you
TO send those pearls back" as John
wishes"
But I'm not going TO do IT,"
interrupted. II do not see why I
should be the one to make a sacrifice
In this case to love while Jack pays
votlve offerings to his pride. Be-
sides, mother, Jack has no reason for
not believing and II necessary forglv-
ing me almost .ything"
I could have bitten my tongue out
the moment I said this. Mother
looked up il surprise. but she asked
no questions. I was not sure, how.
ever, 1t was because she had no curl.
osity on the subject. or becauee the
maid handed her a telegram.
She opened It. Her face fell.
John wires It Is impossible for
him to come at this time"
Silently 7 left the room.
Copyright, 1924, NEA Services, Tnc.)