The Washington herald., 1916-05-21

| PEACE ALDEN, RuthS aunt
Mrs. Alden had made failure OF her
own life Therefore, she was fercely
resolved to make a success of her daugh-
ter's. To Mrs. Alden, at fifty, success
meant wealth. To Ruth Alden, at twenty.
II meant love. And not love alone, but
love as personihed by Fleetwood Blair.
To the Alden house, on the snow
swept hillside Of the suburb. jOUrneyed
one day a guest whom Mrs. Alden looked
upon as a reduced nObleman might re-
gard a visiting monarch; and whom Ruth
did not look upon at all-except posi-
bly, as a rather plump, rather prosy. and
decidedly elderly friend Of her mothers
The guest was Batson Kendrick: a
friend Of Mrs. Alden's dead husband and
more and more frequent visitor at the
widows home. Indeed, so oft-repeated
were his visits that his hostess had
more than once let herself dream OF a
second marriages. marriage where
boundless wealth and luxury should
make up to her for the more straitened
days Of her first marital venture.
Today, when Kendrtck was announced
the widows heart gave a little unwonted
iutter. Not that she had any personal
fOndness for the man. but because her
soul bowed down and worshipped the
money he represented.
AS Batson Hendricks bulky form
blocked the doorway of the Alden living
room, she came forward with eager
Eraciousness to greet him. But Ken
drick gave only perfunctory heed to her
greeting. His small, keen eyes were
sweeping the room, with its roaring
fireplace. and its windows still festooned
in Christmas greens.
The picture before the newcomer was
the city to see. The big room was full
OF laughing, romping girls; in gay sweat
ers and caps-of ruddy-cheeked boys
dressed for cold weather. Everyone was
EestiCulating, shouting, talking. The
spirit Of youth and OF winter jolIity filled
the whole place; ard the medley Of laughs
and jests made music.
The center Of the joyOusly excited group
was a glOriously pretty girl, who, flushed
With excitement, was drawing on a pair
" fur gaUntIets and trying to out-talk
dozen less pretty competitors. She was
Ruth Alden. And her vivid beauty drew
Hendricks gaze a ; a magnet draws steel
6Engs He saw her-her. alone Of all
that noisy party. He scarce listened as
his hostess apOlogized:
Il hope all this din won't deafen you,
AIR. HeudriCk. There is a coasting frolic
this afternoon. And the whole party
dashed in here five minutes ago to make
Ruth join them. They will be gone pres
emily. You don't mind the noise, do you?
II seems to be Youths favorite way of
expressing itself"
Eendrick did not answer. His eyes
were fixed broOdingly on Ruth. His gaze
darkened as a big athletic youth forced
his way through the Clamorous throng
and esta blished himself very close and
very persistently at the girls side
That's young Blair. isn't it?" he asked
grUfrly. Young Fleetwood Blair? I've
seen him once or twice on Wall Street
He
Il wish he would stay there, then"
said Mrs. Alden, in half-laughIng vexa-
ton He is here, all the time. getting
under ones feet, day and night. I'll tell
you a secret. Mr.. Kendrick: He is hope
lessly and idiotically in love with Ruth.
And"
with RUTH" Ksndrick caught her up
sharply. That young cub? Why, he
hasn't a dollar to bless himself with
good worker. But he's a small-sslaried
youngster who"
Z know" put IN Mrs. Alden. ct know
That's why say he is hOpelessly in love
with Ruth. There have been enough poor
matches in our family. I don't mean
that Ruth shall make one"
You've told her SOP" asked Kendrick
eagerly.
Not yet. Why should II Opposition
would only put the idea OF marrying him
into her mind. Time enough for that
when he proposes to her. At present.
She was interrupted by the good-byes
Of the Jostling crowd OF coasters who,
now that Ruth was ready, streamed out
OF the house and onto the snowy lawn
where their sleds were stacked
Ruth went out last Of all, Fleetwood
Blair still close at her side
I wish I'd had a chance to meet that
man who came in Just before we left" :"
he was saying to her.
You mean Mr.. Kendrick?" she asked.
You didn't miss much He's dreadfully
heavy and unintsrestfng-
Say that on Wall Street." commented
Blair. and it'll be good for a laugh
that would drown out Trinity's chimes
Batson Hendricks one Of the mfghtiest
operators on the whole sreet A dandy
man to get in with. wish I'd met him.
''Why? she demanded, wondertn giy.
"Oh. It's always well to get In with
those big fellows. Strike their fancy and
they're likely to offer you a job"
But you have a Job"
'Only a Joblet And I want a real lob.
A Job all fringed with big pay. You
see. I'm thinking of"
Ruth did not hear him. She had darted
ahead to join the merry scuffle for the
sleds. Blair Joined her. But by the tine
they reached the spot where the pile of
sleds had been stacked, all had been
snatched up but one.
That means well have to ride double.
you and l." announced Blair. Come
aIsnx!"
He picked up the sled and ran after
the others, to the crest Of the nearby
cosstinz hill.
Fleet Blair!" cried Ruth as she dashed
after him IF you dare to be pig enough
to steal that, for yourself"
She finished the sentence by jumping
on the sled as he set IL In position at
the summit He knelt beside her on Il
and with kick. gained the needful head
way for the coast"
Faster and faster down the steep hill.
vhizzed the sled.
You'll have to do the steering" called
the girl, above the rush of the wind:
my skirts are tangled around my feet"