Susan Lenox: Her Fall and Rise, by David Graham Phillips

Ruth dragged herself up the stairs, lagged into the sitting-room,gazed at the dress with a scowl. "What did father say?" she asked."It's no use trying to do anything with your father."Ruth flung herself in a corner of the sofa."The only thing I can think of," said her mother, humbly andtimidly, "is phone the Sinclairs as I originally set out to do.""And have the whole town laughing at me.... Oh, what do I care,anyhow!""Arthur Sinclair's taller and a sight handsomer. Right in the face,Sam's as plain as Dick's hatband. His looks is all clothes andpolish–and mighty poor polish, I think. Arthur's got rise in him, too,while Sam–well, I don't know what'd become of him if old Wrightlost his money."But Arthur, a mere promise, seemed poor indeed beside Sam,the actually arrived. To marry Sam would be to step at once intograndeur; to marry Arthur would mean years of struggle. Besides,Arthur was heavy, at least seemed heavy to light Ruth, while Samwas her ideal of gay elegance. "I »detest« Arthur Sinclair," she nowannounced."You can get Sam if you want him," said her mother confidently."One evening with a mere child like Susie isn't going to amount tomuch."Ruth winced. "Do you suppose I don't know that?" cried she."What makes me so mad is his impudence–coming here to see herwhen he wouldn't marry her or take her any place. It's insulting tous all.""Oh, I don't think it's as bad as all that, Ruthie," soothed hermother, too simple-minded to accept immediately this cleversubtlety of self-deception."You know this town–how people talk. Why, his sister––" andshe related their conversation at the gate that morning."You ought to have sat on her hard, Ruth," said Mrs. Warham,with dangerously sparkling eyes. "No matter what we may thinkprivately, it gives people a low opinion of us to––""Don't I know that!" shrilled Ruth. She began to weep. "I'mashamed of myself.""But we must try the dress on." Mrs. Warham spread the skirt,using herself as form. "Isn't it too lovely!"Ruth dried her eyes as she gazed. The dress was indeedlovely. But her pleasure in it was shadowed by the remembrancethat most of the loveliness was due to Susan's suggestions. Still,she tried it on, and felt better. She would linger until Sam came,would exhibit herself to him; and surely he would not tarry long withSusan. This project improved the situation greatly. She began hertoilet for the evening at once, though it was only three o'clock.Susan finished her pressing and started to dress at five–becauseshe knew Ruth would be appealing to her to come in and help putthe finishing touches to the toilet for the party. And, sure enough, athalf-past five, before she had nearly finished, Ruth, with a sneakinghumility, begged her to come "for half a minute–if you don't mind–and have got time."Susan did Ruth's hair over, made her change to another colorof stockings and slippers, put the dress on her, did nearly an hour'srefitting and redraping. Both were late for supper; and after supperSusan had to make certain final amendments to the wonderfultoilet, and then get herself ready. So it was Ruth alone who wentdown when Sam Wright came. "My, but you do look all to the good,Ruth!" cried Sam. And his eyes no less than his tone showed thathe meant it. He hadn't realized what a soft white neck the blondcousin had, or how perfectly her shoulders rounded into her slimarms. As Ruth moved to depart, he said: "Don't be in such a rush.Wait till Susie finishes her primping and comes down.""She had to help me," said Ruth, with a righteousness shecould justly plume herself upon. "That's why she's late. No, I mustget along." She was wise enough to resist the temptation toimprove upon an already splendid impression. "Come as soon asyou can.""I'll be there in a few minutes," Sam assured her convincingly."Save some dances for me."Ruth went away happy. At the gate she glanced furtively back.Sam was looking after her. She marched down the street with lightstep. "I must wear low-necked dresses more in the evenings," she