Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-30

wealth. To Ruth Alden AT twenty. II meant
aonsd by ' Pcs s9 i0I Blair T' Youns Ear
and Batson Kcndrick, elderly and rich JOIN
people 60 'coasting. They declare their 10y"
Tor each Other and start hack toward IN"
mens, Meanwhile. E.ndrscE tells Mrs a.
/ den Of his dcsir" TO marry Ruth
!. Continued From Monday)
h But almost ut once, She was her
Mcalmf shrewdly calculating self. once
&pore; planning. AS ever, 10 make the
Hhest-protit she might. from what had
&lefailen. And. after that first shock,
Hhe felt no chacr!n tina; it was Ruth
End not herself whom Batson Kend-
sS&Sk loved. She did not care for tho
SSs3sSf The had no desire 10 marry again.
5E on had goaded her 10 the sacri-
s%H | md now this ambition, 1t second,
g#fk | be gratiticd without sacrifice.
Il "a ,.atson kendrick's wife. her only
M | would have wealth and high 20.
SSsStior. She. the mother. would share
Is amply In these. She retoiced In the
q Z wonderful Bit OF good fortune that had
e fallen in Ruth's path.
.'You see" kenr!ck was saying, his
Eye still on the blaze. Il used to look
Ettn her as child. But lately she has
into a woman. beautiful
&Woman. And she's stolen my heart.
|stosday to tell You so; and 10 ask her
Ito marry me. Do you think have n
kshanceT'
"a chance7" gushed Mrs. Alden. In
deed you have! Why. my daughter VIII
'sbe honored and delighted at your Office.
sSIf you doubt II. let me speak to her
: first. To prepare her for II, L
you're certain there's nothing be-
tween her and young Blair?" queried
sthe man They seemed pretty well
pleased with each other. in here. just
now
Nonsense" laughed Mrs. Alden re-
assuringly. III there were anything
Sin that would know all about IL
aRutf always tells ME everything. she
The living room door burst open.
@Ruth and Blair. hand in hand. like two
e,rsa!schievous school children. dashed
Alden they went, their young faces
I alieht
'Mother,'' cried Ruth. we're en-
gagged, Flee, and l. Honestly we are
, It just happened. Aren't YOU glad"
a meteorite. crashing down the
chimney into the fireplace in front Of
them could not have dumfounded the
two older people more. nor more COM
pletely have shattered their snug
plans. kendrick sat moveless, turned
to stone Mrs. Alden spranc TO her
feet and. purple with modification,
i faced her daughter. She struggled
l. Tanly for coherent speech. Sh" had
= only Nolition enough left 20 raise one
arm to ward off Ruth's impulsivc en-
n brace. She felt her new-hult castles
of ambition crumhing into dust nj
her feet.
ii why. mother" easpcd Ruth in
= stark dismay. aren't YOU glad
,tthought--'
NO" spu,,ered Mrs Alden. am
!. not IL forbid
"Mrs. Alden" interposed kcudrick
/ who, by fierce self-bat,lc had rallied
4 from the blow and had received the
sNnerve and resource that had won him
so many Wall street victories. Par
z don me. may speak TO you n mo-
ment"
8 He drew her aside. ont OF enrsho,
i lovers. and whispcrcd
Don't oppose It; Gain time Tell
him to call at this evening"
The mother sought TO get back he!
5composurc, and TO act on his advice
In which she had absolute trust, al.
II though she did not understand his aim
turning TO Ruth. she forced a winir,
2 smile TO her pale lirsa.
n This is such .sur.rjse.sucn I.
iightnins bolt" she said, cxcusinrlv
1T took my breath away. I'm sorry
81 was SO unsympathctic II mus,
Il nave time TO think Il over. Mr.. Blair
81 want nothing In life but nv little
d girls happiness II YOU can make ma .'t NJ,
4 happy, ! shall have no objection r.
& make. I'm too upset TO talk clearl,
II now. Won't YOU come back hero
say at eight this evening? I'll be
Is more myself then"
Glad 70 escape from wha, hat
IN
u Blair gladly consented: and 70, him
u self out OF The room as quickly as ",
" could. Ruth, rerplexcd. hut trying :,
Il make herself believe that ev.rvthinf
would be all right, followed him.
Lei, alone with kendrick. Mrs Aldcr
sS sutton.
i've gained time as YOU told N,
TO-. she said. hope!ess!y. Put what
S4to be done"
For minute or two k"ndrick mad
fEsno reply; but paced up and down III,
aESroom,. his hands clasped behind hin,
HI DIS chin sunk on his breast. his steel
s. nttle eyes half smut Finally, he spoke
S5Briefy. CURLY; as Napoleon nigh, NV
saatd out plan OF campaign
Mrs. Alden list"ned--a, frst in dis
Ss may. then in growing confidence. 4
n last she faltered
,ss'y "Its--its forgery"
rs it?,, asked kendr!ck wi,hou
alarm. who's TO prove mas" Nv ~
70 way, does She know his handvr!rlnr9
don't he!iev" sncs written bj~
three, notes in all her life" said M,,
ri Alden. douhttUuy. QUIT"
~ Good That means lie has %,
IS oral idea what her writing looks Tx
!: but isn't familiar enough with i, 4,
ia catch. any h!under VIII you do 4, on
SsS Ill--lll do it, She answered. 70
|s$luctantiy, after "a long pause
49, 1T, is quite safc, II We play {. well
EsKendrick assured her And We sba,
Ely the way, I'm invited to dinner an
10 spend the evening. Of course. f..
~ going TO do 1t, anyhow IN see IN,
fsss matter out"
81 "A half-hour later, Blair having cor
rs home. Ruth came back into INC uyir
groom Mr.. Hendricks s,ll sa: nv ~
fafs' Mrs. Alden was busy Il. dos
ny the window. ~ FRS, glance pu,