The Fifth Wheel

ways wanted to hide the tell-tale economies of our household years ago from my more affluent friends. I did not want pity. I was Ruth, of whom my fam

They disparage my extravagance in dressing, and then admire my frocks. In one breath they ridicule social ambition, and in the next inquire into my encounters and triumphs. A desire to remain in my old position I offer now as the least contemptible excuse of any that I can think of for the following events of my life. I didn't want to resign my place like an actress who can no l

en o'clock and allowed her to unpack for me. Meanwhile I lay back on the couch, criticized to Edith the tone of gray of the paper in my room, carelessly suggested that there were too many articles on the shelf from an artistic point of view, and then suffered myself to be consulted on an inv

and covered with a dozen small round tables, made a pretty sight-girls in light-colored gowns and flowery hats predominating early in th

ll. I glanced over the rim of my cup the second time to make certain. Yes, it was Breck-the same old blasé, dissipated-looking Breck. I had thought he was still in Europe. To reach the eighteenth tee the men had to pass within ten feet of the terrace. My back would be toward them. I didn

finished. Take my chair, Phyllis," I added sweetly to a young girl stand

th a flat top, designed to sit upon. I leaned back against the earthen jar and proceeded to appear engrossed

do you do," to his eager, "Hello, Miss Vars!" while I s

ty-second. Thought you might be rounding up here before long. So decided I'd run up and say howdy. Look here, wa

ne in the automobi

later," I expla

for me from behind lace curtains in the living-room when I returned two hours later. She saw a foreign-made car whirl into the drive and stop at the door. She saw me get out of it and run up the front steps.

ejaculated. "My dear

ers grasping my arms soothed my hurt feelings of a week ago.

ittle wonder!" she said. "There's no one in the whole family to match you. I'll wager you could become a veritable gateway for us all to pass into New York society if you wanted to. You're a

in the mirror and replacing a stray lock, "I sup

g which often is an expedient marriage. I could no longer offer my tender years as an excuse for side-stepping a big opportunity. I musn't falter. The moment had arrived. I accepted Breck, and down underne