The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-26

son this place seems like home to me-"
 Breathlessly, the mother waited. Ruth did not reply
 Ruth" the man repeated, You be- lieve that, don't you, dear?"
 "Oh, Kenneth" the girl began tremulously.
 But she got no farther, for an ex- clamatien from inside made the young people start apart and loosen the hands they had just joined.
 Kenneth" the mother calculated sharply, Do bring a light here! l nearly fell. And I struck my knee against a chair" she explained as her son and his companion hurried into the house. Tt is awfully dark here.'
 "Oh, I am sorry" Rth apologized. Martha must have closed those portieres. Usually they are open so that one can see to cross the room."
 CHAPTER XLV
 T hpoe you have not hurt your knee badly" Ruth said as she and Kenneth conducted Beatrice Lang out upon the side porch to the chair she had vacated such a short time ago.
 "Oh, mo- the matron said, seat ing herself with a little moan. Tt will pass in moment. Perhaps in entering the room I dropped the DOT tieres behind me accidentally. Com ing in out of the lighted hall I was bit blinded by the darkness, any way. It's all right now, or will be soon. l would hate." with her airy laugh, ito add to Dr. Grants bur den another patient from our fam fly. He has been So good to my boy!"
 He has, indeed" Kenneth mur- mured.
 How much nicer his mother was than he had feared she would be- He did not understand this change of manner and speech.
 There was a silence while Mrs Lang thought fast. If Kenneth were to go away tomorrow morning mat teTs between him and this country girl might continue as they now were. If his mother were to remain here with him, she night
 Impulsively she spoke. T followed your father into the house, Miss Grant, to ask him apout Kenneth. Al though he thinks he Is doing so well. I decided to take his wise advice and stay here until day after tomorrow. I think it will be safer.''
 We will be glad to have you" Ruth said gently.
 T am well enough to travel to- morrow, mother the son began. But the mother hecked him, batting his hand playfully.
 Dear boy Twenty-four hours more cannot make such a differ mind." as he started to protest. There is not need of saying any thing" Young people are always im- patient, but surely you can wait un- til day after tomorrowl"
 What Was Her Camel.
 Surely l can" he said curtly.
 What was her game? Was she trying to make Ruth think he was eager to leave Southold? But Ruth understood that he loved her. And he was sure that she loved him. Had she not she would not have let him hold her hand just now-would not have spoken in that tone to him would not have called him Kenneth. And this afternoon she had chung to him
 His mothers voice broke in upon his musings. You are not vexed with me, are you dear, for teasing you about your desire to get back to Saxville?'
 Certainly not." he retorted. "I did not even know that you were teasing me"
 Teasing is often perilously near the serious truth. I must adr,It," his mother said.
 Again she laughed in the superfi- cial way that maddened him. He would talk no more until she changed the subject.
 Ruth sat by silent. At last she ! rose.
 T am sure' she ventured timidly, l "that you and your son want to have l a little talk, Mrs. Lang. So, if you | will excuse me, 1 will go on into the ! house. If there is anything you | want. please call me-
 No, indeed," Mrs. Lang caughs l the girls hand and detained her. | "Kenneth and l will have plenty of | time to talk later. Tomorrow we can | be together. and we shall be together |, in Saxville until he is entirely well.