The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-28
THE LOVE. ( CAME
 A CITY ROMANCE ny ,upelNIh TTDWNF, VaNDtWETfp
CHAPTER 131


 (COpyright, 1923, by Star COmpnny)
 For a moment after Muir's con- temptuous exclamation with regard to Rankins acceptance of her money, Winifred was at a loss as to what to reply,
 Rankin had taken her loan. There was no denying that. To one who did not understand him, it might look strange. To her it seemed all right. Could she make her companiQn com prehend? She would try once more.
 "Of course, he took it!' she said defiantly. And why should he not? He is so much my friend and under stands ce so well that he knew l would be wounded if he refused to accept a trifling favor from me-"
 T would hardly call $5,OoO tri- fling favor," was the dry comment. T hate to say all this, Winifred- for you like Rankin. But as a rule' men do not accept money from or phaned girls or widows. It is one Of the things that is not done"
 Not even loans?" she demanded. With the promise of interest,""
 That Is different matter" Muir explained, forcing himself to speak calmly. If a man knows he can re- pay a certain sum with interest within stated time, he may borrow that amount from a rich woman or the world. But one would not care to borrow from an tneXperlenced young girl-no, not to save oneseIL from starvation! There, my qear, am sorry to be harsh. But l must be frank and tell you how the matter appears to me"
 But Richard did not want the money for himself| she urged. It was to pay debt to you."
 would he rather owe 1t to you than to me?'
 The question was spoken quietly but the girl flinched.
 T offered it to himi He never suggested that I let him have it.. Ana he refused at first" she declareo passionately. "BW I insisted. what could he have <done7 anyway-slnco you were so hard with him|
 He could have done the obvious thing-given me the facts, and prom ised to pay me a certain sum-no matter how small-each week. That would have shown the intention to make good. l would have accepteu his terms had he shown the lnten- tion to make good. 1 would nave ac- cented his terms had he shown any such intention. But he did not EVeR S5 week would have been prooI that he was going to do the righe thing"
 III would have been ashamed ts make such a suggestion to ma man Il like you," the girl argued. he knows YOU are rich, and hard, ana exacting and I fancy he would have been actually afraid to offer to pay won EElittle at a time-ln the way YOU say. You would probably nave sneered at him and despised him. A look of great pity came into ms eys He tried to take her hand, put she snatched 1t from him.
 You know that what I say Is true! Oh, I wish that Richard could nave money for a while! He would snow you what generosity means"
 She expected an angry retort. In stead of which the face into which she was looking changed suddenly
 DO you really believe that?" Don- aid asked wonderingly.
 'I know it"
 You are mistaken" was the grave rejoinder. "Winifred listen to what l am saying and remember It..
 q am listening" sullenly.
 My conviction is," the quiet voice went on, that if Richard Rankin were to find himself possessed of a fortune tomorrow he would forget about the poor man of whom he talks so much,s would spend his money as other rich men spend theirs, would be as seemingly SelIlSn as are AlOSe men. I am sure of 1t my dear"
 And I am sure he would not!" she insisted If he had lots of money he would think about the poor peO- pie first of all. hope that he would dress decently and eat proper food and live in a good room. But except for such things as these he would never spend a penny on himself His one thought would be to uplift down. trodden unfortunates."
 Muir was silent
 "YouNdo not believe that, do you? she challenged.
 Donald shook his head.
 NO, my dear, do not. l know the world and men better than you do."
 And I know Richard better than you dol" she said. And the more l know him the more I care for him."
 T am sorry" Donald said slowly that, since this is the case. have had to say certain things about him today. I can only promise not to repeat the mistake"
 T hope you will not" she de- clared. For, you see, as Richard is my dearest friend, you cannot say unkind things about him without hurting me-"
 (COntinued Tomorrow 666 ou;ckIv relieves Consti-