The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-12
SYNOPSIS


 old, an orphan, leaves Brooklyn for the midwest by bus, seeking a job. Unable to pay her fare, she is put off the bus in q small town just as a storm Is breaking. She seeks shelter at an old stone house with q blue door and faints from hunger.
 PENNY, the old hOusekeper, opens the door. Ruth is carried upstairs by the old woman, as- sisted by JOHN M'NEILL, a young man from next dor. The old woman mistakes Ruth for ELAINE CHALMERS, whose grandfather built the house. Ruth does not deny this. She re- solves to quit the old house next day but becomes interested in John.
 Elaine, meanwhile, at Cray sastle College, VOWS in 8 sorority meting to win the love of her first sweetheart, John McNeill. Though "almOst engaged" to an Annapolis man, to q famous Or- cllestra leader, and to the wealthy TEDDY VAN HARD- INGTON, Elaine decides to cap- turc another heart. She writes John McNeilI, telling him she plans to visit Worthwhile and hopes to renew their friendship Lacking a stamp, the letter lies on her desk unInailed.
 Penny tells Ruth that the next day will be her 18th birthday and pleads with her to make a twO-weeks' visit. Ruth reckless ly consents.
 CHAPTER XI
 When Ruth wakened on her sec- ond morning in the quiet old mansion she did so without any feeling of guilt or remorse. Having made her decision to re- main, she resolved to enjoy her stay to the fullest. The stage was set for a fortnight which she had every reason to believe would be the happiest of her life.
 True, there was the possibility of Elaine Chalmers appearing on the scene, but this was remote. The girl had, of course, written Penny that she was arriving 'in a few weeks" Penny's eyes had hardly deceived her on that point. "Tll be gone," thought Ruth, with a week or two to spare. I'll have had my little masquerade, and no harm done-unless maybe to my own heart! I'll leave note be- hind me, asking forgiveness. And that's all there'll be to that"
 That other cloud on the horizon, Penny's "queerness," Ruth dis missed also. Aside from the mat ter of the blue door, Penny seemed normal and reliable. Ruth had enough natural curiosity to wonder about the old woman's strange re- gard for her freshly painted door, but intuition warned her not to Dry. Good guests never turn de- tective.
 Someone was whistling on the lawn outside. Ruth hoped she knew who 1t was.
 Wrapping herself in the bath robe that Penny had lent her, she ventured across the room and pecped out. John McNeil was there looking up at her window.
 He called out tremendously: '"The McNeill heir greets the Chain ers- Hunter Deal heiress and invites her for 8 buggy ride at b this evening""
 Ruth clutched the clumsy robe at her neck and drew nearer. DO they still use buggies in OhioT' she asked soberly.
 "Eight-cylinder ones. mostly. Wilst go, fair maid? Or wouldst choose to languish in thy ratty tower?"
 Ruth called, "I'll go, of course idiot. But make 1t a country road I don't feel like meeting people I'm here for rest"
 "So that's what you're here for" John McNeill replied graphically. "I've been waiting for you to tell me-"
 Well" she said, "now you know!" She recklessly blew him 8 kiss and withdrew, her heart pounding foolishly. Presently she heard him drive away.
 Ruth, dressing, wished that she had a gift for Penny's 75th birth day.
 "Imagine not being able to buy her anything" she thought. regret fully, Not even narcissus bubs like the ones I got Cousin Bessie
 Cousin Bessie! How unreal sne seemed now. Ruth counted pack one, two three nights ago the Law rences had loomed as colossal iig' ures in her life. Cousin Bessie.' home had sheltered her. Ceciii selfish little habits had angeret her. Letty,s cold-as-steei jealous, had driven her out into the inhos