The Washington times., 1920-04-05
downright, 1929. byf Star Coz
~. CHAPTER LVI.


.tN n r. RODNEY was detained
..IN this evening longer than
~ he had expected. The man
;;with whom he had business ap-
,'pointment was late in meeting him.
!. He telephoned these facts to his
:.house. directing the maid to ex-
i.pIain them to Miss Courtney and
TASK that young lady II she could
await with the invalid until the
a;father's return--as the usual night
,.ly attendant was i'll and could not
sreport for duty until tomorrow.
Il. Hattie, the maid, delivered the
(. message, adding:
M "Mr. Rodney Is holding the wire,
ma am. What will I tell him,
\ iplease?"
.s II will speak to him myself, thank
.lyou." Ruth said, glancing at Hugh.
:. The expression of eager hope on
Ibis face decided her promptly as to
:,what her reply would be.
!E "Yes, ! will stay" she was saying
q moment later over the telephone.
:sHugh is very comfortable, SO do
;.not worry"
.t II am afraid this is an imposition
:,upon YOU my dear" Mr.. Rodney
But when 1 made this
engagement for this evening I'did
mot know that Laura was to be
:.out."
= THAT is all right" Ruth insisted.
y. Hattie will wait UP until my re-
turn andpwill attend to any OF your
wants. Let her make you a cup OF
:icoffee-or something" he added,
'lamely.
TX Ruth smiled as she left the in
.Strument and went back to the Ii
.brary. Daniel Rodney's respect for
1.-THE conventions had moved him to
remind her that Hattie would be in
lieu Of chaperone for her until
the return of the master Of the
house.
G Recently all such conventions had
Seemed of small importance to
Ruth. In the face of the greatness
of her self-imposed task she forgot
them.
t While it was a delight to her to
be with Hugh, she regretted that
he and she were to be left in soli-
tude a deux so long. Hugh's re-
pentance for his temporary mood of
discomfort had made him SO gentle
and considerate that it was hard
for the girl who loved him to main
tain practical matter-of-fact mood.
In the remaining hour and a half
intimate talk must be avoided.
r Hugh Delighted.
II Ruth repeated her conversation
with Mr.. Rodney upon her return
to the library.
Good" Hugh calculated. THAT
means at least an hour or more
with each other. sweetheart--the
longest time we have been alone
together since my return"
p. NYes-and I mean to make the
most Of 1t by amusing you," she re-
Joined DO you want any moro
muster
Just one song more, please!"
She spoke impetuously. II do
not want to sing that song you
asked for the last time. Hugh"
L NO he answered quickly, flush
ing hotly. II do not want to hear
1t again.
| She. did not ask for an explana-
zion. She must shun personal
topics
"You might sing sgain--oh. That
We Two Were Maying" he ven
tured.
she did his bidding, and after she
had finished, he sat silent so long
that at last she broke in briskly
and cheerfully to change the trend
of his thoughts.
Suppose l read aloud to you
now?"
\. Would you rather do that than
talk ?" he asked.
3! She ignored his wfstful tone.
: 'Yes-I fancy IL would be rather
pleasant to read instead-for a
while, at least
\. Let me see," going to the book
.tase and scanning the backs OF the
volumes of verse ranged there.
-Oh, here is something you will en-
Joy. II is stephen Phillips 'Paola
nvd