The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
The
Greater
Love
A NEW ROMANCE
By VIRGINIA TERHUNE VAN DE
WATER
A NEW ROMANCE
CHAPTER xiv

Samuel Grant, like most physicians
was used to women of all types. Sc
he was not as much moved by Bea-
, triee Lang's maternal anxiety as a
less sophisticated man might have
Leen. Still he spoke kindly in answer
to her query.
/ Il do not see that the lad Is a bill
! the worse for his wetting," he as
sured her. 4 wish he could stay for
| twenty-four hours more, SO that !
might be certain that he has taker
! no cold. Yet l watched him at sup
per and noticed that his color was
good Had he gotten chilled his lips
and cheeks would not have been red
as they were"
You would advise his remaining
here longer than he suggested
doing?" the mother asked now. In
her fertile brain scheme had beer
| forming, and her withdrawal from
| the side veranda had been part OF
| it. Il mean-you think he would
best stay here Until day after to-
morrow"
II had expected that he-and you
| would stay longer than that the
man said quietly. However, l do no,
want to interfere with his-or your
| plans or wishes. Yeti do think
| that every day the lad stays here
gives him more strength for his
| journey and for the work awaiting
| him at home"
I And the pleasure there, too, per-
haps," she supplemented. Cher arch
smile puzzled her companion What
under the sun was she driving at?)
| Il agree with you that he should not
be too rash in his movements. So, IL
perfectly convenient to you and Miss
Grant-and if Kenneth feels he can
spare that much more time here
we may take advantage of your hos
pitality for another twenty-foul
| hours"
| She was rather handsome, Samuel
Grant reflected as he looked down
| into the dark eyes raised so appeal
| ingly to him. One would hardly be-
| lieve her the mother of grown
son. She must have remarkable
health to keep her complexion like
that-and she had probably taken ex-
cellent care of herself.
That's a good idea," he declared
in answer to her suggestion. See
/ what the boy thinks about 1t
Excuse mel" as the office doorbe1l
rang. Il may see you later"
With a nod he went on into his
office.
| As he put up powders for rheu-
| matte patient his thoughts were busy
with the woman he had left standing
| in the passage.
| IF God gave her that complexion
| she ought to thank Him for perfec
/ health. If, on the other hand, thai
| coloring is the work of art. it is 6
darned good job; l wonder what KIND
of a wife she made to Kenneth Lang
| ST.? Somehow, do not quite fancy
| her as a mother. 1t is too bad, but
He checked his nominations alone
these lines to count the powders HI
was preparing.
The object of Samuel Grants spec.
ulations remained in the little pas
sage after he had closed his offic
door. Then, very softly, she wen
| into the room opening out upon tn
| side veranda- There was no light II
this room, and, as she entered 1T, sh,
drew together the portieres benin
| her. This made the room she ha'
just entered very dark.
A Sudden Interruption
Noiselessly she crept forward, thel
she stood still.
The pair seated on the verand
were not speaking at this instant
She wondered if they had been silen
ever since she and the physician hal
left them. If so, it was not a goot
| sign. For two people to sit togthe
! without speaking indicates that the,
have nothing in common or are oil
| such good terms that speech Is un
necessary She strained her eyes t.
! peer at the dim exterior. A light spo
10 O. in
where he had been ever since supper
1t was evident that the couple hal
not changed their positions.
But even as the mother reache'
Nthis conviction, her son rose to hi
| feet and moved towards the girl.
you heard what mother said" HI
| began softly. THAT is homo wher'
the heart ISIS Rnth-that is the rea
4 son this place seems like home t
me-
Breathlessly, the mother waited
Ruth did not reply.
Ruth" the man repeated, You be
leve that, don't you, dear?"
"Oh. Kenneth the girl begal
TREMENDOUSLY.
But she got no farther, for an ex
clamation from inside made tn
Young people start apart and loosel
\ the nanQS Incy Hdu JQot JoihSo.
KENNETH" the mother calculated
sharply, do bring a light here.
nearly fell! And 1 struck my kne'
against e chair" she explained a
her son and his companion hurried
! into the house. 1T is awfully darl
| here!s
"Oh, am sorry" Ruth apologized
Martha must have closed thos'
portieres. Usually they are open s.
that one can see to cross the room.
CHAPTER XIV
1T hope you have not hurt you
knee badly" Ruth said as she ant
Kenneth conducted Beatrice Lang GU
upon the side porch to the chair sh'
had vacated such short time ago
| "Oh, no." the matron said, seat
\ ing herself with a little moan. Il
will pass in a moment. Perhaps il
entering the room l dropped the por
there's behind me accidentally. Com
ing in out Ct the lighted hall l wa
bit blinded by the darkness, any
way. It's all right now, or will b
soon. / would hate" with her air
laugh, ito add to DR.. Grants bur
den another patient from our fan,