The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-31
The Greater Love A NEW ROMANCE By VIRGINIA TERHUNE VAN DE
 WATER
CHAPTER LII.
A NEW ROMANCE

CHAPTER LII.
 Kenneth Lang wandered down. stairs after his conversation with his mother In his depression, he longed for the girl he loved. He had had no talk with her since their drive yesterday. During the few minutes that he and she had been alone last night on the Veranda. he was afraid to speak. His mother might return at any instant-as she did, in fact, when at last he crossed to Ruth's. side. He wondered what the girl had started to say-what the sen- tenee beginning Kenneth" would have been had she completed it. But his parents exclamation from the adjoining room had checked her speech.
 He looked out upon both verandas now. They were empty. As he stood, hestating, Martha emerged from the office, where she had been sweeping and dusting.
 T take advantage of the doctors bein' away this time of day to get his place to rights" she explained. "Ruthie takes care of his instru- ments-polishes them and all that. But she did her work in the office before she went out"
 So she went out, Kenneth won- dered if she had absented herself so that he and his mother could have an uninterrupted morning together. She need not have troubled herself, he reflected bitterly. Yet it was as well that she was not here at the present moment. His heart was so hot with indignation that he might betray his resentment toward hls mother. This would not be fair to Ruth. It would put her in the un- comfortable position of having to criticize a woman whom she scarcely knew-and that woman the mother of the man who loved her.
 Living It All Over.
 That was the way he phrased 1t to himself. But his heart added-"and whom she 1oved-perhaps.
 For he was sure she was not in- different to him. Throwing himself into the lounging chair on the side porch, he closed his eyes and relived in fancy certain scenes between him self and Ruth.
 He remembered the look in her eyes yesterday when, as they were driving down the mountain side, she had. for brief instant, met his gaze. He recalled with quickened heart beats how she had clung to him in the storm. Of course, fear might have moved her to do this yet it had not been fear that had quivcred in her voice when she had called him Kenneth
 He would learn the truth from her before he went away from this place. His talk with his mother had de- cided this. In some way he must make an opportunity to be alone with Ruth, even if he had to ask her openly for an interview.
 Surely Ruth loved him. And how dearly he loved her!
 He was leaning back, his eyes closed, lost in day dream of what might be. His mothers voice in the doorway made him start from his musings
 You look very happy. son." she remarked. "I thought you were asleep until l saw you smile."
 His Mother Appears.
 Then she had been standing here watching him! He remembered with swift sense of gratitude that he had not uttered even whisper, word of what had been passing in his mind.
 This is a very comfortable spot in which to loaf" he rejoined, gee-ing up and motioning her tos take his loungng csIir. "Try it for your self"
 DO not hurry away" she protest ed, sinking into the chair he had va cated. Yes, this is some comfort able, isn't it? 1 suppose you have spent many hours out here."
 "Yes,n he said briefly, q have"
 Well, these people have done their best to make you comfortable" Mrs. Lang admitted She could af- ford to be gracious now, having, as she hoped, carried her point with her son. By the way, where is Ruth? 1 supposed I would find her here with you" she added, with quick glance at him.
 He met the glance coldly. T have no idea where she is, nor have I seen her since you and I parted from her two hours ago. l did exchange few words just now with Martha but l fancy that you would. find that quite safe"
 His mother did not vince under his sarcasm. Instead she shrugged her shoulders and laughed.
 ,sCress, aren't you, Ken?' she said. "Such being the case, can dispense with your society for while, if, as you iustahinted. you wish to go off upstairs by yourself"
 As he reached the door she sent a parting shot after. him.
 "Tf you will review some of the things you have said to me this morning, I think you will compre- bend why l assert that your environ- ment has not sweetened your tenn per nor improved your manners. I fancy. too, that, underneath it all, you may perceive-as do-that pos sibly your little hostess has been using you as q blind while carrying on her own love affair. But we will 
 Children Crv