The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-29

was elderly and of austere char
acter, but those who knew her
best had learned that her censori-
Gus harshness covered warm
heart. Now she was surveying
her brother-in-law's house and
garden with a disappearing ex-
preston.
She had never been quite sure
about him, and 1t was not with
her goodwill that he had married
her younger sister. But after his
wife's death, she had taken his
child into her keeping and ten
derby cared for her.
Sitting stiffly erect in the gar
den chair, she turned to her
niece. who reclined with negli-
gent grace in canvas lounge.
well, dear" she said, this is
a pretty place; and your father
affairs have evidently improved.
It's sad your dear mother didn't
live to enjoy It,"
Ruth looked up at her with an
air of thoughtful regret.
Yes; l often feel that, when !
think of the hard struggle she
must have had. Though / was
very young then, / can remember
the shabby boarding houses we
stayed in, and my mothers pale,
anxious face when she and my
father used to talk In the even
ings. He seldom speaks about
those days. but 1 know he does
not forget"
1T is to his credit that he
never married again." Miss Dex-
ter remarked, with a bluntness in
which there was nothing coarse.
"He loved your mother. and one
can forgive him much for that.
But have you much to for
give? I sometimes think you are
rather hard on him."
"Ill admit that l have often
wondered how he got his money
One cannot make fortune quick
ly without meeting many tempta-
tions. Does your father never
tell you anything about his bust
ness?''
81 haven't thought of asking
him." Ruth answered, with some
warmth.
Ruth was more amused than
resentful. She believed her aunt
distrusted the makers of rapid
fortunes as class, rather than
her brother-in-law in particular
For all that, Caroline Dexter had
reused the girls curiosity as to
her fathers fortune, and she de-
termined to learn something
about his years of struggle when
opportunity offered.
A moving cloud of dust rose
among the frs where the de-
scending road crossed the hillside
and big gray automobile flashed
across an opening. Ruth knew
the car.
TITS AynsleyS' she said, with
a pleased expression. I'll bring
him here"
And who is Aynsley?"
81 forgot you don't know. He's
Aynsley Clay, the son OF my ia
theirs old partner, and runs in
and out of the house when he's
at home"
Turning away, she hurried to-
ward the house, and as she
reached it young man came out
on the veranda.
st came right through" hi
said, holding out his hand. =
I'm glad to see you back,
Ruth responded. did you have
a pleasant timer"
Left the yacht at Portland
yesterday, and came straight on
Found the old man out Of town
and decided I'd stop at Martins
place"
When he was presented, Miss
Dexter gave him glance OF can
did scrutiny. II he were one Of
the idle rich, he was, she thought
rather good specimen.
A half-hour later Ruth and
Aynsley were strolling together
through a grove of frs by the
waters edge.
"Well," she said, "you have
told me nothing about your voy.
age. You must have seen some
thing of interest, and had a few
adventures"
Its good rule to avoid ad.
ventures when you can. and we
followed it. Perhaps the most in
teresting thing was my meeting
with three men who were fishing