The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-20

/ tray on which stood a jug of iced
water and a tumbler.
| Without word she set the tray on
a small table at the head of the bed,
i then filled the glass.
supper is ready. dad" she said as
she did this. II will give Mr.. Lang
a little drink, then I'll be right down.
Twill DIR. Smith stay for SUPPER
mo, no--indeed, l can'tr' the young
physician assured her. But l would
| like to-"
AS he spoke, Kenneth Lang Won
dcred If this young sawbones was
in love with the pretty daughter of
his colleagues. The idea was
vaguely unpleasant.
"Will you try to drink a little of
this?" Ruth said gently, slipping her
hand under Lang's head and lifting
| it a few inches from the pillow.
He drank thirstily, then dropped
back with a sigh.
Thank you'll" he whispered, for he
felt too weak to speak aloud. This
| is the second time today that you
have appeared with jug of water in
your hand. 1 shall always keep in
my mind that picture Of you"
CHAPTER v.
Ruth Grant fingered for a moment
after her father and assistant had
left the sickroom. She drew down
a window shade mat the light might
not strike the patients eyes. Then
once more, she approached the bed.
IF there is anything you want.
please CALL she said in low, sooth-
ing voice. Il know you do not feel
like eating now"
"No--indeed" Kenneth Lang sup
pressed the shudder Of nausea
caused by the thought of food.
Thank you, just the same
Please" the soft voice went on,
don't trouble yourself to thank us
for anything we can do. Try to
rest. 1 will be back again soon.
Later. you are to nave something to
make you sleep. But, just now. per-
feet quiet is what you need"
He smiled wanly. and his eyes fol-
lowed the slight figures as she went
out of the door. She looked very
cool and fair in her thin white dress.
He was not cool. In spite of the
was intense. Away off somewhere
there was the low rumbling of
thunder. But 1t was so distant that
1t would be hours before 1t brought
any rain.
Below stairs, in the room beneath
the one in which he lay, was the
subdued murmur OF voices, and oc-
casionally the clink Of china or sill
yer. He was directly above the din
ing room.
How long must he stay here? That
was a question that he would ask
before his host and hostess left him
for the night. He could not sleep
until he knew the truth.
But did he sleep, in spite Of his
belief that he could not? He was so
exhausted that he sank into light
slumber from which he awoke with
a start half hour later. There
was a movement in the room below.
The evening meal was over. He
heard DR.. Grant go out upon the
veranda at the side of the house and,
a moment later, his daughter fol-
lowed him. In this frame cottage
every movement was audible.
Now that father and daughter
were alone together, they held a
low toned conversation. Not
word OF it could reach the injured
man In his room. but he suspected
that he was the subject of it.
Probably the pair had refrained from
discussing his case in the presence
of Martha. the maid-of-all work.
Nervous1y, he pondered in the re-
ret away from here soon. His pres
ence was an imposition.
He had not long to wait before his
host appeared in his room. Kenneth
looked past him at the door. He
rather hoped that the daughter would
come too.
well" Samuel Grant said cheer