The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
The
Greater
Love
A NEW ROMANCE
By VIRGINIA TERHUNE VAN DE
WATER
CHAPTER xxxIV

Late IN the ate noon, ruin GfaHI
came home long enough to change
her dress, then hurried away again.
The pastor of the church drove
her t. and from her home. AS Rev.
Mr. Hamilton stopped his car at the
steps of the porch on which Ken
meth Lang was sitting, the invalid
arose. Something moved him to put
himself in the way of meeting this
Clergyman who was a friend of the
girl he loved.
Ruth introduced the two men.
Mr.. Hamilton" she said with the
unaffected manner natural to her,
this is Mr.. Lang of whom 1 have told
you. Mr.. Lang, this is Mr.. Hamilton
our pastor"
The two men shook hands. II am
happy to meet you" the minister
said. Il heard of your accident, and
would have called, but feared my at
tentions might be an intrusion. I
am glad to learn that you are pro-
crossing. SO we'll"
Il am getting we'll fast" Kenneth
said.
He liked this man with the grave
face and the kind voice. He had
thought of him as sentimental
country preacher, in love with pretty
Ruth Grant. Now ne saw that he
had misjudged the character of his
new acquaintance.
II hope to meet you again, MI.
Lang" the clergyman was saying.
Just now I have a call to make up
the road. l shall be returning in
about half hour, Miss Rutland il
You can be ready then 1 shall be
happy to drive you back to the
church. You may as well be spared
that hot walk"
Il shall be ready" she said.
When the mipister had driven
away she paused to say to Lang:
Have you been all right today?
Has Martha taken good care OF your"
Excellent care" he replied. 80
has your father-when he WIS here.
He and 1 dined together. BY the
way, he received a telegram from my
mother" She comes tomorrow aft
ernoon."
He was watching his companions
face, but saw only well bred inter-
est there
THAT will be nice. At what hour
does she get here"
"At o'clock. That" he added
eagerly, need not interfere with our
drive-yours and mine-if you still
care to go"
"Of course I care to CO., she said.
81 am looking forward to it,"
Then she hurried into the house
and Lang heard her run upstairs.
lie tried to concentrate on the book
he was reading, but found difficulty
in doing so. He wished he could re-
monstrate with his hostess regarding
her idea of putting his mother into
the room that she, the daughter of
the house. usually occupied. Yet, if
L.. i e
mothers occupancy, it would be
superflous for him to. suggest that
she nhange her plans But he must
express to her his gratitude for her
unselfish hospitality towards his
parent. Perhaps he would have a
chance to do so before her return
to the church.
He had no such opportunity. Just
as Mr.. Hamilton drove his car into
the side gate, Ruth came out of the
house.
IT am ready" she called blithely.
Don't bother to get out of your car.
Good-by Mr.. Lang" to the invalid
who had risen as she appeared. will
you tell father that DIR. Smith has
offered to drive me home? I anen-
ton this so that father will not plan
to come or send for me-"
Instinctively Lang glanced at the
minister. He wondered If he would
surprise a shadow of regret or dis
approval of his calm countenance.
Mr.. Hamilton smiled kindly.
There is always someone ready
and willing to act as escort to Miss
Ruth" he remarked. Or. Grant need
kever- worry about that. One of US Is
sure to be at her disposal"
Then he helped his young parisher
into his car, seated himself beside
her. lifted his hat to Lang and
drove off. IS
"A nice mani" Kenneth reflected.
"A great sight nicer than that young
sawbones. 1 hope Smith brings her
home early enough for me to have a
talk with her this evening"
Which hope was doomed to dis
appointment. For when, at $3.50, Ma
thaniel Smith, NJ. D., stopped his car
at the Grant house it was only long
mission to take Ruth for a little
drive in the moonlight.
'She has been working and stow
ing down In that hot place all the
evening"" the young physician ex-
planned. III you do not mind her 60
ing with me. a drive might refresh
and rest her
Probably it would" DIR. Grant
agreed. but. Ruth, my dear, be back
before very late"
AS the pair drove off. he spoke to
his silent companion.
Lang, you look tired. Suppose
you turn in. have a call to make
and there's no need of your sitting
up all alone
To BE Continued