The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-25
R THE 'A LOVE CAME s5R MN A CITY
 " ROMANCE laiEaaasiaftA EY tIpeIigA TTpEsr u.NhunrrA
CHATTER 12s
{ VIRsNIA TEpanE NaEn.Nara

llHu IL as easy as she had hoped to give away S5,000.
 For on consulting her checkbook. she discovered that she did not have that amount in the bank. She was sure she had lots of money, but did not know just how to get hold of it. She would not consult Donald. So she made call on MT. Dayton, her fathers lawyer.
 That gentleman explained to her that she had securities on which she 0ouId reaIze at any time. She also nad money in several seVings banks. She remembered now that Donald mad told her this. In her excitement she had forgotten it. But how was she to get the money she wanted out of the savings banks?
 MT. Dayton told her how. In- deed he offered to go with her to two banks for the money. But first he asked her if she was sure that sum.
 Tt is none of my business to i'm terfere," he added. But, dear child, must you have this money2 And have yon consulted Mir. Muir, your ex-guardian about it?"
 No, she explained frankly, she had Tn which she was interested She would prefer that nobody should Know just how much she was giving. Charles Dayton nodded.
 T see, I see," he muttered. You don't want your left hand to know what your right hand does That is Hke your father, my dear. I respect your confidence. But-I hope you are acting wisely"
 T know I am," she said confi- dently. T would not make an in- m a1N f !, ..ILf.- U. MT. Muir. But with a gift-I just cannot do it!"
 Very well, child," he said.
 He was rather proud of his pow CTS of discernment, and having seen certain look in Donald AIuirs eyes when he was with Harrison Scott s orphaned daughter Dayton had al- ready decided that the prosperous Teal estate man was going to marry ms ward. It was natural that Wini- ired should prefer to keep from her lover for while the knowledge of ner gifts to charity. It flattered the elderly lawyer that the child had come to him for advice.
 Thus it came about that, before the expiration of the 10 days of grace which Muir had allowed Rankin, Wunred Scott was able to draw a eheck fer $5,0o0 and hand 1t to the young reformer.
 He laid it on the table. and, taking notebook from his pocket, wrote in It an acknowledgment of the '1oan" with the promise to pay 1t back Ion demand.' Then he signed the prom ise and, tearing out the page, handed it to Winifred
 That will protect you," he said, as she read 1t slowly.
 This is not necessary" she pro- tested T trust you"
 T know you do. That fact is the greatest honor that has ever come into my life. With heavens help it will make me better man."
 eShe was seated in a great chair, and he dropped on one knee in front of her and raised her hand to his lips.
 Tt am at your feet in heart as well as in fact" he murmured T have no words with which to express my gratitude for what youyhave done for me. Even though the sum there,' glancing at the check on the table, lis only a loan that 1 will pay back as surely as my life is spared, it e thousands of dollars. would--for it is proof that you deem me worthy of your trust. There is no way in which I can thank you. My heart and I, myself, are at your service now and always"
 7 she reflected, letting the wonder of his homage sink deep into her com sciousness. He resembled Byron more than ever. His eyes were so large and dark, his forehead so fair beneath the mass of dark hair that he had pushed back with the gesture with which she had become familiar.
 Mrs. Bates was coming down the hall.
 Richard sprang to his feet. but not hastily nor awkwa1dly He was singularly graceful and unhurried in all his movements. He stood Tn silence e11 e until the steps that had hesitated moment at the door had passed on toward the rear of the apartment. Then he spoke softly, almost timidly; "Once before I nearly said what I almost told you now. l am not worthy to tell you that love you, Forgive me. Buff the time ever comes that you can forget my un- worthiness enough to let me say a little of what is in my heart-you will listen to me, won't your
 "Yes," she whispered, hypnotized by his voice and manner
 Good -nightm he murmured.
 A moment later she was alone. She feared he had forgotten to take the check. But glancing toward the table she saw that the slip of pink paper was gone.
 
 CHAPTER 129
 Copyright, 1923, by star Company) The next day Winifred Scott re- ceived a handsome hand-painted fan from Richard Rankin. On the cara accompanying it was written:
 "A Related Birthday Present.
 Even while she wrote her note of thanks for his gift, she found herself wondering how he got enough money 10 pay for such an expensive article. Surely he would not use any of her loan for such a purpose. She al most hated herself for allowing the doubt to enter her brain for even an instant,
 Later, when Donald Muir called on her and told her that Richard Ran kin had met the note when it fell due. she knew that Richard was as honorable as her better Judgment had told her he was.
 "So he did pay you, after all! she said rather bitterly.
 Her manner to Muir was polite, but not cordial. This was the first time he had called on her since the day on which she had accused him of being "cold and hard"
 "Yes, he did pay me, after all," Donald echoed.
 There was an awkward silence, broken at last by Winifred.
 What are you thinking?" she de- msnded.
 to what was in his mind. /She hoped he did not suspect where the money to meet his note had come from.
 T am ,thinking-since you ask that the magazine venture of young