The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-03-13
| &25n ROMANCE
GREATER
LOVE-
CHAPTER 1O5.

henneln ndu nlduc MS stunning dH-
nouncement of Victorias marriage.
Ii seemed to him like an hour.
Incrcdulity, rase-something al
most like despar-were the emo
tions that had followed one an
other in rapid succession as James
Walsh grasped the truth that his
child had outwitted him, had defied
him, had ruined her future.
Then. these primitive passions
were succeeded by less selfish one
pity for his wife.
My poor Emma. This will kill
her" the self-made man groaned.
I'VE had such hopes for Wick e =.
But, anger again groaned-"sh
shall pay for this. l Will have the
marriage annulled!-I shall cut her
off without a cent! Oh"'-ag gain that
swift transition of mood-"Poor
Emma-and poor me-
The thick voice broke oddly
Compassion made the younger man
lay his hand on the bowed shoulders
of the father.
MIR. Walsh he begged. 1T might
be much worse! Yonr daughter is
committing no sin in marrying the
man she loves"
But we wanted her to marry
vell" the father moaned. we
planned that she should have a high
place in society. She's handsome
enough to make good showing
anywhere And now folks will
smoker when they know she married
against our wishes. They will say
all kinds of things about us being
high flyers and getting fall, and
all that"
"They will If you encourage them
to do SO by showing that you are
disappointed" Lang remarked. But
if you accept Victoria's husband as a
friend, if you introduce him TO peo-
pie as your son-in-law-if you help
him get a good position-what can
people say? 1t all rests with you,
you see. Travers is good looking;
he appears WE'LL he makes a pleas
ing impression on the people he
meets. Lots of girls are only too
glad to receive attention from him.
But he cares for none of them. He
has been faithful to Victoria since
he was mere lad You know all
this"
He may be good-looking," Walsh
admitted, but he's dead loss. He
has had his fling with the money
his grandfather left him. And he's
gone through it all"
Now that he is married he will
probably settle down and become a
useful member of society," Ken
meth argued. Even as he did so, he
wondered If he were speaking what
he really believed.
But We had other plans for
Vickey" Walsh insisted. why. Ken
we thought you and She
He stopped. and Kenneth finished
the sentence for him.
You thought that Victoria and ]
would marry" he said gently. But
you see, that would have been sin
in itself-for we do not love each
other"
You 90 not love Vickey?" the
father asked, incredulously.
NO" Kenneth shook his head
Il am her devoted friend-that /.
all. Just as she Is my very gooo
friend. And friendship means stand
ing by the person one cares for
Just as fatherhood means forgive
ness-if there is real love there
and overlooking mistakes. and help
Ing one out in trouble. If you love
your daughter you Will forgive ev-
erythng, Mr.. Walsh. She needs you
especially just now
"A girl never needs her father
and mother more than when She
starts out in a new life. Victoria
loves you dearly. Only she loves
Travers in different way. You
loved your mother-although you
married Mrs. Walsh"
He had struck the right note.
The mans eyes softened little.
Yes" he averred, Il did love my
mother. And when I married my
wife, l cared for my wife, I cared
for my mother Just the same as
ever. She and Emma did not exactly
take to each other-but sstuck 10
them both all the same. And when
Mother died-a couple OF years
after our marriage was with her
to tho last. Yes-I was dutiful
son-if l do say It,"
Just as Victoria has been and
will be a dutlful daughter-if you
will let her." Kenneth reminded him.
And now there is another mat
ter-and one that pertains to Vic
toria. too-one that her happiness
depends on-that you can smooth
out for her. If you stand by her all
Will be we'll for her and she will
escape misery and disgrace. II you
fail her now. II you forget what you.
as her father. owe her In the way
of loyalty. you will not only bring
misery upon her, but you will drag
her husbands name and hers in the
mud"
The black eyes looking into his
widened In wondering dread. The
round face became livid.
"What"-the question was scarce