The Washington herald., 1916-05-21

GLAD TO escape from what had threat
ened to be a stormy interview, Blair
gladly consented, and got himself out
of the room as quickly as he could.
Ruth, perplexed, but trying to make her
self believe that everything would be all
right, followed him.
Left alone with Kendrick, Mrs Alden
turned In blank despair to the elderly
suitor.
"Ive gained time as you told me to-"
she said hopelessly. But what's to be
done?"
For a minute or two Kendrick made no
reply: but placed up and down the room;
his hands clasped behind him. his chin
sunk on his breast, his steely little eyes
half shut. Finally. he spoke. Briefly,
curtly: as Napoleon might have laid out
a plan OF campaign.
Mrs. Alden listened: at first in dismsy,
then in growing confidence. At last she
faltered:
"Its-it's forgery"
rs it?" asked Kendrick, without
alarm. Who's to prove that? BY
the way. does she know his hand
writIng?"
"I don't believe she's written him
three notes in all her life" said Mrs.
Alden, doubtfully. Out"
Good! That means he has a gem
eral idea what her writing looks like;
Dut lsu ldHlllldT enough Win II 10
catch any blunder. Will you do it?'
"Tll-rll do it," she answered, re-
luctantly. after long pause.
1T is quite safe. II we play 1t we'll"
Kendrick assured her. And we shall
BY the way. I'm invited to dinner and
to spend the evening of course. I'm
going to do 1t. anyhow. I'll see this
matter out"
A half hour later. Blair having gone
NF.Va,.
room. Mr.. Kendrick still sat by the
fire. Mrs. Alden was busy at a desk
by the window. At first glance Ruth
thought her mother was writing. But
looking again. she saw the elder
woman was merely reading over
batch of old letters. The girl recog-
nized them as her own. Before she
could question, Kendrick intervened
Rising and coming forward to meet
her. he said:
Your mother has been reading me
some letters you wrote while you were
away at school. 1t has been a treat
to hear them"
As he spoke, he shifted his position
so that the bulk OF his shoulders hid
Mrs Alden from the girls view. The
mother took advantage of the moment
to slip into a drawer a sheet of paper
on which she had laboriously been trac-
ing certain words in imitation OF the
handwriting in her daughters letters.
Poor unhappy mother" laughed Ruth
Just because I'm engaged. you have dug
out my silly school-letters and read them
all over; as II I were dead. Please don't
take II that way dear. I'm so beautifully
happy. Don't spoil my happiness by be-
ing sad
She bent over her mother and kissed
her sffectonately on the cheek; then
ran up to her own room to dress for
dinner.
Just as Fleetwood Blair was about to
set out for the Alden house that evening.
a servant brought him a note. He recog-
nized Ruth's unpracticed, girlish scrawl;
and furtively kissed the envelope before
he tore II open. This Is what he read:
Fleet, dearest: Mother is trying to
separate u.s. and she has gotten Mr.. Ken
drick to help here. CHe is an old friend
of fathers, you know l heard them
talking about 1t after you left. He is
going to offer you a position in his COM
pany at $4,000 month; and send you
to the Orient on business, to get rid of
you. He Is going to make you promise
not to mary, while you're in his employ.
That's part of the trick. He and mother
think I'll forget you II you are away
for a year.
Now. I have a perfectly wonderful
idea. II you had 5000 in the bank, we
could afford to get married. Accept Mr..
Hendricks offer. Go to the Orient for
him. If you have to. Stay five months.
That will give you the 5000 We need.
Then come back and marry me. I'll be
waiting for you'll would wait for you.
forever. If had to. RUTH"
When Blair reached the Alden house.
he was ushered into the living room;
where, instead of Ruth, he found Mrs.
Alden. But if you don't mind, I'll ask
cordially: even effusively.
I'll tell Ruth you're here" said Mrs.
Alden. But If you don't mind. I'll tell
her not to come down just yet. Mr..
Kendrick wants a little talk with you.
think you will be interested in what he
has to suggest"
She quilted the room, leaving the door
slightly ajar.
sit down" said Kendrick, indicating
chair that stood with its high back to
the door Il won't apologize for keep
ing an ardent lover waiting. Because
love can wait and business can't. You're
with Horgan and Rexall. aren't you?
Yes" replied Blair. smiling to him
self as he already caught the drift of
Hendricks purpose.
What are they paying you?"
"A hundred and fifty a month and
commissions"
HIN! Are you satisfied there?
II think, Mr.. Kendrick," evaded Blair.
that a man who is satisfied with sue
cess would be dissatisfied with failure.
Good" approved Kepdrick. That's S
the right spirit. I've heard about you
firm two or three people. Blair And
think you're the man l want. I've some
pretty big interests in Japan, as per-
haps you know. And want man-the
right man-to go out there at once on
some special work-to be gone about
year. The pay is $1,000 month. Do you
want the job?'
Very much" answered Blair. IF you
think 1 can hold 1t down.
That's my risk" said the other. TITS
risk I'm willing to take. Could you
start for the Coast tomorrow night?'
Yes" hesitated Blair, his heart sink
ing at thought of leaving Ruth so soon.
Then, reflecting that in five months
he could come back to her. with enough
capital to marry on, and that he was
going forth at her own request, he added:
II can start tomorrow. Thank you,
very much"
Be at my office at in the morn for
your instructions. BY the way, there's
only one condition. The work out there
is important, and I want you to give
II your whole time and thought, so 1
will ask you for a solemn promise not
to marry while you are In my employ"
ct agree" said Blair, suppressing
grin.