The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-16
The Greater Love
A NEW ROMANCE

Don't you remember" Ruth re- peated, that last evening I said something about your mothers com ing here? I thought that father had told you of her letter. When you spoke as you did I saw that you did not know what referred to-"
 T do remember your mentioning the possibility of my mothers com ing here," Kenneth said slowly. And told you I had advised her not to come"
 "Yes," Ruth nodded. "So said no more. I supposed father was keep ing the news as a surprise for you"
 T was" pr. Grant admitted.
 Would you mind"-Lang managed to speak casually enough to conceal the perturbation that had seized him telling me how it happens that my mother suggested coming?"
 Sure. I'll tell you" the physician answered. T am partly responsible for It. Ruth" to his daughter, sup pose you sit down so that MT. Lang can do the same. He is standing all this time"
 Excuse mew Ruth sank into chair by the table and. taking up her mending basket, began to sort the contents. The young man noted with surprise that her hands were perfectly steady. He felt his own nerves dangling, his breath coming fast from an odd sense of apprehen- sion. He knew he was fool, but he could not help it.
 .Cio on, please" he said to his host. What started my mother then?"
 Well, it happened this way" (How internally deliberate he was! Ken meth unused. If he would only say what there was to say! But he must not show his impatience.)
 You recollect-don't you?-the day you ask ed me to send a telegram to your mother for you. because she wrote you that she was anxious about you. Well. I got to thinking how I'd feel if my girl was sick and, away off with strangers, and not one of them sent me word saying how she was. So just wrote your mother a short letter. I did not tell you about 1t, for I knew you would ob- feet on the ground that 1t wasn't necessary, or something like that Children never know how parents worry.
 ."I told just how you were: that you had been pretty i'll. and had nasty break and dislocation, but were doing we'll now. said we were glad to have you hero and liked yCu-my
 
 do our best to make you feel al home with us. Then. of course. I as- sured her that if she was anxious about you she must feel free to come here and stay as long as she wished that Ruth and I would welcome her gladly. That was about all. Yes terday I got this answer"
 Kenneth did not speak as his host took out of his pocket letter which he unfolded and spread upon his knee before putting on his glasses.
 This is what your mother writes" the physician continued:
 My Dear Dr. Grant, appre- ciate your kind letter with regard to my sen. As you have intimated, am anxious about him. While I do not doubt that he Is receiving excel lent care, still would like to see for myself just how he Is. Therefore. I am tempted to take advantage of the kind invitation you extend and to come to Southold for . brief visit and to accompany my boy home-if you still find 1t convenient to have me, Will you, when you receive this, send me . telegram at my expense7 I will then wire you when to expect me. My love to my son. Sincerely i yours, "BEATRICH LANG.'"
 An Awkward silence
 rhsrs was an awkward silspcs as