The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-19
CHAPTER XVII

.- CHAPTER XVII
 Y AS she walked through the late afternoon shopping crowds to meet John, Ruth was struck with an idea so arresting that it staggered her. The idea was simply this: that she shouldn't meet him at all; that she should lose herself in Cleve- land, the city which had been her objective, and thus solve the Cor dian knot of her entanglements by cutting it with one quick stroke.
 For moment or two it seemed the only thing to do. It was a practical plan. Here she was in large, busy city where jobs were probably available, and she was spared that dreaded ordeal of hitch hiking from Worthwhile. She no longer considered the pain of separation from John McNeill. That lay ahead of her, anyway. Perhaps the sooner over, the bet ter. Yes, better get it over with quickly and save herself the mis- cry of dreading it day by day, as she was already beginning to do.
 Then, just as she had decided on her course, there came the realiza- tion that 1t would not work at all! She was Elaine Chalmers to John McNeill and Bertha Gibbs, and if she should stage disappearance this evening the entire detective force of Cleveland would be work in8 on the case before midnight.
 "And telegrams would be sent to Elaine's mother" she thought in consternation, "scaring her out of her wits!" There'd be a scandal and headlines, of course. First they would say ''Heiress Disappears While on Visit to Mothers Old Home." Then, in a later edition, ''Heiress Found Safe at College. Unknown Girl Impersonating Her Sought"
 "I must have been crazy to think of such 8 thing" Ruth marveled aloud. Suddenly she was happy again because her noble conduct was out of the question, and be- cause she was going to meet John Presently and drive back to Worth vile with him. II must have been absolutely cuckoo!"
 She said the words clearly and blithely, and an impudent youth with freckles and turned-up nose, jostling beside her in the crowd, said, Talking to yourself sister, or mel"
 "To myself" Ruth replied, and NA then she saw John at the hotel en- trance, waiting for her, scanning the crowds a bit anxiously. Noth- ing else mattered.
 He said, wen have dinner here and drive home afterdard. There's good orchestra"
 The following day John Me- Neill went to Pittsburgh on busi- ness, to be gone for an infinite two days. You'll be here when I get back?" he asked Ruth definitely, standing in the Hunter hallway while his car motor ran outside.
 ''I'll be here," Ruth answered. It was a pledge.
 file drove away, but she did not feel unhappy or restless because of 1t. He was coming back, and she would be there.
 She said to Bertha Gibbs after lunch, I'm going to clean the H. brary, Penny. I'm going to wipe down the shelves and dust every book"
 Leave the library be, Miss Elaine," replied Penny. Dust don't matter. Dust is good for books"
 Ruth disagreed. Its anything but good for books. It ruins them. There're some leather-bound vol umes in there that are simply go- ing to pieces from neglect. Let me have bucket of warm water and some cloths and soap. could use a stepladder, too, if you have one" s,.. Penny provided the equipment, grumbling and muttering to her. self. Ruth put on an apron, rolled up her sleeves and started. She worked all afternoon without los- ing enthusiasm; she loved books and had never had the privilege of losing herself in a private library before. She dusted all the volumes and replaced them on the clean walnut shelves. On the whole, she did not alter the arrangement of the books. They seemed well plac- ed. Heavy reference books oc- cupied the lower shelves; smaller volumes graduated toward the top.
 Late in the afternoon, feeling tired, she decided on cup of tea and 8 rest. She went into the kitchen, where she found Bertha peeling potatoes. I'm going to make myself cup of tea, Penny" she said. Do you mind?"
 The look that Penny turned on her was not ono of welcome. She laid down her pairing knife and covered the potatoes with her apron, as if they were som ething very private and personal. "I'll make the tea, Miss Elaine" she said sharply. You go in the li- brary and wait. I'll bring 1t to you there."
 Ruth obediently went, feeling chilled. Again sheA sensed the change In the old woman. the change that had come with that summons to the door two nights ago. Ruth was baffled by 1t. In the library she sank into a comfortable leather chair and began to read Travels of a@ Donkey" Under Stevenson's spell she forgot to wonder about Penny's moods.
 Presently Penny appeared with a neat tray, bearing not only tea, but bread and butter sandwiches