The Washington times., 1920-01-02
CHArrER XVI

spoke until the rustic OF Doris
dress In the hall had died away.
Then the parent drew a Ions
breath. 'she has gone up 70 the
man who loves her more than all
else In the world. Does she love
him."
The question was so unexpected
that Ruth gssped.
"oh. Mr.. Rodney" she stammered,
"she-Doris would not have become
engaged to him II she had not loved
him"
"Hes-but that was some months
ago. He was going away: he was
handsome and bright; his prospects
were excellent Wait"-as she
raised her hand deprecatingiy-"I
do not mean that Doris took all
these things into consideration. But
she may have been In love with
love. Many young people are-and
they think they are in love with
some particular person. The aues-
tion is-when. she sees Hugh
looking as he does now. what will
the effect he? IL the feeling she had
for him was real affection, his pres
ent plight will strengthen IL. II not
it will shock and repel her"
"Oh, ] do not think thatv Ruth
protested. Suffering always ap-
peals to . woman-certainly TO such
a tender-hearted person as Doris"
Yet even as she spoke she felt a
lack OF conviction. Her hearer was
conscious OF this lack, too, as his
next sentence proved.
ITO be sentimentally sorry is one
thing: TO love so deeply that one
can stand seeing a painful change is
quite another.
Father Undeptsnds.
Forgive me. my dear, for speak
ing like this OF your sister. But
can you understand what is, at
stake? If Doris were to fail Hugh
now the results might be disastrous.
The doctor in Minneapolis and Dr..
Benton here have said that he
must be kept cheerful and hopeful.
Without Doris at this juncture he
would feel that his life was not
worth living. That" he added Bit
a terIy, "is youth. A parent may love
a'child, may do all he can TO make
him happy-yet when love for q
girl enters his life. nothing else
matters"
II know" his companion mur-
INJURED sympatheticaily. Yet, dear
Mr.. Rodney, that is the way of the
world. Perhaps even you were like
that when YOU were young" she
supplemented with faint smile
He looked at her affectionately
Yes. Ruth" he said. softly, II was
just like that. That Is one reason
why the boy is so dear to me.-be-
cause he looks like his mother
and she loved him so deeply"
His voice broke. He threw his
head back impatieRtly.
81 must not be weak fool. Child.
help me keep my boys happiness
safe"
Ruth held out her hands to him.
II promised him | would when he
went away" she said. quickly.
Those were the very words / used.
said, II will keep your happiness
safe for you.'"
But how-unless Doris helps:''
the father argued.
81 will find a way" Ruth said,
confidently. although she had no
idea what the way" would be.
"But you and / are worrying ahead
of time, aren't we?" she asked,
brightly. I'VE are building a man
of straw and planning how we are
to fight him"
The man tried to laugh. Yes.
we are. That's true. ! hops that
I may be mistaken and that Doris
10 DC Stioho 40 l. "iCh hNi ~
as you are, my dear"
A Loyal Sister.
"lhank you," Ruth nodded her
gratitude at the compliment. Pvt
Doris is older than land much.
much more lovable. .'.'....
mo, please do not contradict me-"
as he started to speak. II know my
sister far better than you do. And
I know just how good and fine
she is"
She uttered this opinion with
more decision, because her con-
science warned her that she might
have seemed disloyal to Doris. The
fathers fears had been so much
like her own misgivings that she
had let herself show a doubt which
was not very kind to the absent
girl.
'I must go downtown for an hour
or So" Mr.. Rodney said, suddenly.
going into the hall for his hat and
overcoat. then returning to the
drawing-room. "If Hugh seems any
worse after his talk with Doris l
can come home. But ] have been
away from the office for so Ions
that | must give some matters there
my personal attention today if pos
sible. And DR.. Denton is not to .
bring the specialist until inc after
noon. ] will be back by then"
you will let MS know the result
of The consultations" Ruth asked
timidly.
"Of course / will
Doris will be very anxious she
said by way of explanation.
Naturally she WILL he agreed,
u will not wait any longer now. for
Hugh will keep her with him for
good while, no doubt-and the
maids are to listen for his bell when
she has gone. s.........,
an the meantime. make yourself
at home. Ruth. Sit down and read,
or do as you please"
She thanked him and closed the
front door behind him.
He had said that Doris would be
upstairs a good while. II she lin
Rcrcd with Hugh 1t would be an eN-
celIcnt sign. If not
There was rustic I'M the hall
above. Then the library door opened
and closed. There was "A subdued
sound OF voices.
with n vague feeling OF uneasi-
ness Ruth went back into the draw
ing room. Doris must have fingered
outside tho door Of the library try.
ing 10 summon courage to enter