The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-07-15

you that young Blair Is trifle atten.
tive In that direction?" he inquired
an1iously.
Really. had not noticed It." Mrs.
Alden's lips stiffened trife disap
provingly. ..."
Nevertheless. I am OF the opinion
that something will develop between
those two." he urged. And now"
she glanced across at him, tell me
what are your arrangements for your
trip to Palm Beach,"
But before Kendrick could comply,
the door to her sitting room was flung
open and Ruth and Fleetwood Blair
appeared hand in hand on the
threshold.
wish US happiness. mother" the
girl cried exuberantly. Fleetwood
and are engaged"
For once. Mrs. Alden lost her suave
poise.
Her eyes were fixed in . glare OF
despairing rage upon Blair. She lift.
ed her hand and pointed toward the
door with q gesture not to be mis-.
taken.
Involuntarily Blair took step back.
ward. then halted and glanced toward
Ruth. Instantly she moved over to
his side and thrust her arm in his.
IF there's no place here for him,
then there Is none for mel" she cried.
Then with her head held high. and
her arm linked in that Of her lover
she passed out Of the room and from
the house.
Mrs. Alden tottering to 4 chair,
sank down weakly into It and gave
way to tears.
Finally the telephone upon . near.
by stand rang. Listlessly Mrs. Alden
took It up. But all at once her ex.
preston changed. CLEAN Of ANNA.
ton returned to her eye.
Listen" she whispered to Ken.
drick. They have gone to Peace AL.
denis in New York-Ruth's maiden
aunt, YOU know-and Peace Is trying
to get me to come there and consent
to reconciliation.
"It's the only thing to do" she de-
cided impulsively. Otherwise. Peace
says. they are planning to rush OF to
Jersey City or some other impossible
place and get married tonight; where.
as. by seeming to yield now / can
gain time"
In Batson Hendricks big, luxurious
Limousine. which he had placed at her
disposal with himself as an escort,
she outlined the plan Of campaign.
When she allghted at Aunt Peace
Alden's old red brick house down or
Washington square and gave him her
hand at parting. there was light In
her eyes as II she already foresaw
victory.
Hastily she subdued her manner,
however. as she rang the bell and was
admitted by the gray.haired old butler.
Mrs. Alden made most effective
entrance. Her expression one Of ma.
ternal solicitude, she started eagerly
toward her sister-in-law; then halted,
as II Just coming to q realization Of
the presence OF the young people.
For moment she stifrened, but ap.
parently conquering herself, turned
with the semblance Of rush Of agi.
tated feeling and ciasped her daugh.
ter in her arms.
my little girl" she murmured bro.
kenly.
There was Just the right admixture
Of humility and surrender in her man.
uer as she extended q relenting hand
10 Blair.
"You will let me have her for Just
little while longer, won't your" she
coaIed with 4 wistful smile. You'll
give me the satisfaction Of seeing
her married from under my own roof.
with a proper trousseau, and flock
Of pretty bridesmaids. and a cake
and all tho rest Of 1t. A girl can only
have one wedding, you know-F1eet.
wood"
"of course. he WILL" Aunt Peace
insisted. beaming at them from
among her pillows over her success
30 $50 oNpohOht vi ueT uHEu6.
So 1t was finally arranged, after q
discussion in which Mrs. Alden Gun.
nansly managed to get Aunt Peace to
cast the deciding vote that the mar.
riage should be deferred for six
months. or until the young mining en-.
gineer had chance to determine
what advantage might lie In certain
prospects" OF which he told them.
One day as she was leaving the
house for walk. Ruth stopped Cor a
moment to ask her mother q question.
Mrs. Alden was seated at her desk,
10 absorbed In note she was writ.
ing that she was not conscious Of the
girls presence until Ruth stood behind
her.
Then she started almost guilty.
and quickly turned tho half.written
sheet over so as to hide It's contents.
Secrets, eh!" cried Ruth and play.
fully tried 10 wrest the Note away SO
as to see to whom It was addressed;
but her mother objected SO stoutly
that after moment she desisted from
bar effort.