The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01

anu was IlnulnS some OlLllCully III
 explaining it away. "See," the girl
 said, "hGw the river is swollen by
 yesterdays rains?" '
 Yes. indeed, it is," the widow ac-
 quiesced, following her companions
 efforts to tusn the conversation into
 another direction than that in which
 it had started. What is the name
 of that river?"
 Ruth told her, and the pair chat
 ted casually of one thing and another
 until they were some miles from
 the small town of Southold. Then,
 Beatrice Lang spoke, impulsively, almost as if against her will.
 ~"Dear child, there is something I
 must say. simply will have no peace of mind until l do. You must let me explain my seemingly rude speech
 of an hour ago."
 Tt was not rude,"-Ruth began.
 But the widow checked her. "It was not meant to be rude,-but it contained a half-truth,-and one that sounded ungracious. spoke as if Kenneth wanted to leave you dear people. Tn one sense that is true. That Is, he does not want tG leave you and your father.-yet he does nat urally long to get back to Southold. Perhaps he has told you something of it, already?"
 His business, you mean7" Ruth asked, mystified.
 The light laugh showed how ab- surd her question was. NO, dear child, not his business though, to do him justice. I must ad- init that he is conscientious and efficient worker But his work is all towards one goal just now-and that goal Is his own home, where he and the girl he loves may be happy to- gether. She Is lovely girl, too. T would not have told you this, Ruth--for it is matter that he wants kept secret for a while yet. But had to explain to you why he urges me to let him travel tomorrow. He has been away from Southold- and her--for long time. At least, to young people, it seems long, And. after the talk he and I had this morning. I feel it would be unkind and unwise to Insist on his staying here just to gratify a whim of mine." CHAPTER Lv Her heart seemed to stop beating for minute, then, with sickening throb, started again.
 Her regard for appearances de- manded that she make some rejoinder to Mrs. Lang's confidence-yet she could think of nothing to say while her thoughts were in such a turmoil. Her companion glanced at her out Of the corners of her eyes. If the girl were dismayed by the information, Just fmparted to her, she was con cealing it nobly. But the woman of the world noted that the cheek turned towards her had lost some of its usually brilliant color, and that the eyes were staring straight ahead as if their owner were watching keenly for some obstruction in the smooth. aspha1ted road. At last the girl spoke.
 ~"Mothers are very unselfish," she murmured.
 The listener thought she detected a tremor in the soft voice. She was convinced that she, herself had acted just in time. If this girl and Kenneth had been together for even day more, the man might have committed himself by some over 1affectionate speech Perhaps he had already done so It was with this fear in mind that Beatrice Lang pur- sued the conversation begun by her. self.
 | I've mothers do not deserve praise If We are unselfish." she remarked. We love our children better than ourselves, you know. And we re- ceive our reward when our sons and daughters confide. in us, as my boy
 does in me. It would hurt me cruel l ly were he not to tell me of that which lies nearest his heart. He is,
 as I said while ago. all that I have in the world. But I shall not lose him if he marries the girl he and
 both love. It makes it easier for me than if he cared for someone whom I did not care for" Yes, indeed. it does," Ruth re- joined. firm look had come to her lips T hope you will always be happy with the girl your son has
 chosen.'
 A Suffering Girl
 T shall be happy in his happiness"
 the mother said, "He has chosen wisely-for Victoria is a lovely crea-
 ture-of our world, accustomed to the society to which my boy belongs, and satisfactory in every way. I ad- init all this, even though she is to be my daughter-in-law. You know" laughing lightly. "women are sup posed to be unpopular as soon as they
 become mothers-in-law like to
 think that I shall not be-"
 T am sure you will not" was the gentle response.
 If only Mrs. Lang would talk of
 something else. Ruth wanted time
 to think, but she must wait until
 she reached home to look matters squarely in the face. She had never suspected had never thought that Suddenly she remembered the let ter that Kenneth had asked her to mall on that Sunday when she had written to his mother for him. She recalled now something that had slipped her mind as none of her af- fair. He had spoken of the business letter that he must write, and when, later, she had taken this letter from his table to mail 1t for him, she had noticed the name, "Victoria" on 1t, k and had supposed that it was to his stenographer or some othef person connected with the bank. What fool she had been! She was thank full that she had never told him in so may words that she loved him. And yet she had let him kiss her-had clung to him
 She must think of something else or she might betray what she was suffering. She must listen to her companions chatter and answer it sanely.
 Putting Her off "I, have known Mothers-inlaw whose daughters-in-law actually
 loved them" Mrs. Lang was saying.
 T am wondering, my dear, how you,
 for instance. would get on with your
 mother-in-law."
 "I?" Ruth tried to laugh. T never expect to have one"
 "No?' the query was arch, almost playful. You cannot expect me to
 ha1feve that cxUaat 1fttJo craat t,1ra