The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-10
The Greater Love
CHAPTER xLvIII
A NEW ROMANCE
By VIRGINIA TERHUNE VAN DE
 WATER

After breakfast Ruth accompanied the guests to the side veranda, then, leaving Beatrice Lang with her son, went on about her household duties. 1 Kenneth glanced over the morning paper, reading aloud sundry items to | his mother. She made an occasional comment on the news. But her com panion saw that her thoughts were busy on other matters. | At last she asked a question. "I wonder where you and l can have an occasional chat? Would it be safe out here?"
 If you mean-would any one de- i liberately listen to our conversation, II can assure you that nobody would," he replied with some as- perty.
 DO not be so quick to suspect a sinister meaning in all l say, Ken neth," his mother reproved. "I do not think that I have ever seen you quite so touchy as you are now" q am sorry" the son said. q was not aware that I was supersen- sitive."
 q do not know that you are on all points," the widow rejoined. But lyou evidently cannot stand any sug- gestion of criticism with regard to anything that goes on under this roof"
 The son felt his temper rising
 May it not be because I consider lit bad form to criticize those in whose house one happens to be a guest?" he asked.
 His mothers shapely brows were drawn together, but only for an in stant. Even when irritated, she would not let herself frown.
 At Cross Purposes
 'It is hardly good form to repri- mand ones mother" she reminded him.
 q did not intend to reprimand you" he rejoined.
 Then he lapsed into silence, his eyes fixed upon his paper. But he saw nothing of the paragraphs he was pretending to read. The old wonder was seething in his mind the wonder why he and this woman who had given him birth must all ways be at cross purposes. His father had suffered from the lack of understanding between himself and his wife. The fault then could not all be his-Kenneth's
 Yet this handsome woman was his mother-and she had come all the way from Maine to see him because she was anxious about him.
 Was anxiety as to his health her only reason for coming? Or had she been uneasy lest his allegiance to Victoria Walsh was less strong than was quite safe?
 He moved impatiently. It was worse than foolish to let such sus- picions lodge in his mind. In jus tice. he must admit that his mothers bearing toward her hosts had been more agreeable than he had dared hope. He had feared that she would show her ennui of her surroundings by her manner. But she was evil dently exerting herself to be polite and gracious. Again. he was per- plexed.
 We might go up to your room for our chat, when Miss Grant fin ishes her work there" Mrs. Lang said at last.
 T do not think that she does any work there" Kenneth remarked. At least Martha is the one I have seen making my bed always" Laying Her Plans "I am glad of that" his mother ob- served. "The idea of young girl performing such tasks for a man is 1 hardly pleasing"
 Kenneth held his tongue. Shall we go up to your room now?" Mrs. Lang asked. ! Certainly, if you wish" he re- piled.
 "Ah, here comes Miss Grant. We | can ask her where she would prefer that We have our talk" the widow | observed
 "Is there anything I can do for you?" Ruth queried as she came on | the veranda from the garden, where, as usual in the mornings, she had been gathering flowers for her vases.
 No, my dear-unless you will tell my son and me where we would be least in the way for the next hour" ] her guest explained. Il must have .