The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-21
CHAPTER SI

Victoria looked as dashing as usual when she came out of the house as Kenneth drove up.
 Hello, Ken!' she greeted him. You are peach to ask me on such perfect day"
 T fancy you disappointed another man by honoring me-" Kenneth re- marked as he drove the ear down the path leading to the huge iron gates.
 'I know 1 did,' she admitted gravely.
 He was silent until the gates were reached, then
 Do you care especially where we drive?" he asked.
 q would rather get off on quiet roads where .weecan tallz,' she told him. But first, go out to the coun- try-elub. please"
 "The country club?" he repeated, surprised. Do you really mean that? The place will be full of peo- pie today.
 'Yes-and Dad is there. toc,' she asserted. That's why I want to go."
 A Very Good Reason.
 Very we'll" turning the car in the direction of the western outskirts of Saxville. tYour word is my law"
 q am glad it is in this case" she smiled at him. For you see. Ken, dear-I have method in my seeming madness l am glad to be seen with you by those oodles of people who are always at the club on fine Sun days. But, most of all, I am anxious to have my father see us and be con vinced that I did not lie to him when I told him I had an engagement with you"
 Why should he think you would lie about that? Kenneth asked.
 Because he did not want me to go with Sam Travers," she said bluntly.
 And Sam wanted you to go with him instead of with mel" Lang ac- cused.
 "Yes."
 He told me just now that he owed me grudge, but that he would for give me-" Kenneth said.
 She turned her face, alight with interest, toward him.
 "Oh-have you seen him this aft afternoon" she asked eagerly
 He came out of the garage as l went in," Kenneth explained. He was looking very fit, by the way, and driving a stunning car" "Yes--he is stunning, too, isn't he, Ken? And his car is dream"
 A Gentle ReprOof. Kenneth smiled whimsically. "Un- der the circumstances I am more than ever shonored at your accepting my invitation," he remarked.
 Don't be sllyl" she reproved. Il am going to be frank with you, so 1 may as well begin now. Later, l will tell you more-I mean when we get out into the country where we can talk without having car whiz by us every three minutes. Until then, all l have to say IS that I have standing invitation from Sam to go driving any or every afternoon. Dad said it must stop. He hates Sam-but never mind about that now I am getting ahead of my story. So, when Dad asked me what l was going to do this after noon-as he was going to the club as usual-and I told him you were taking me driving, he did not be- lieve me. See?'
 "Yes, I see.
 Moreover, he has inquired sew eral times this last week where you were-whether I had snubbed you, or hurt your feelings-and all that. told him you were probably very busy"
 q was."
 "Thanks" Kenneth rejoined. "Then you found the remedy desperate, did you? For my part, rather liked 1t.
 50 did l." she affirmed with an- other giggle. If 1t had been any other man-(excepting Sam, or course)-do you suppose I could have done it, Kenneth?"
 He did not reply and look she did not understand came to his race. He was remembering Ruins words after she had clung to him in the storm.
 DO you suppose I could have done what I did just now,". she had asked "if I had not cared for you? Why Kenneth, just could not have done it if it had not been you!"
 To Be Continued.