The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-22
The
Greater
Love
A NEW ROMANCE
By VIRGINIA TERHUNE VAN DE
WATER
CHAPTER XxxvH

Ruth Grant spoke of her CONVEX.
sation as egotistical, but her COM
panion enjoyed it to such an extent
that he encoura ged it. He also in
dulged in talk of himself, his aims
in life, his ideals.
When young people are falling in
love, or are already in, the first
and second persons singular are of
more interest to them than all the
wonders of the universe.
So 1t was that the hours of this
hot afternoon slipped away quickly,
and mile after mile was covered by
the little Ford. Ruth drove we'll
and knew every foot of ground over
which she took her guest At last,
after a long, upward pull through
woods that shut out the intense rays
of the sun. they reached the summit
of high hill.
Look" she commanded.
Lang uttered an exclamation of
delight. From where they sat could
be seen three valleys stretching away
into the distance. One of these was
intersected by a cleaning river.
Il had no idea there was such a
view in this eighborhoodr' he de-
clared. 1T is wonderful
Il like it." Ruth said quietly. ut
is one of my favorite spots-away
from the rest of the world. 1 often
drive out here just to see it,"
"Aionef" he asked.
She did not reply Immediately.
When she did it was only by one
word.
Sometimes
A Tense Moment
The man at her side sat very still.
He wished that he dare ask IL she
had ever come here with any other
man than her father. If any other
man had sat here at her side as
he now sat, her shoulder almost
touching his, feeling her light breath
come and go.
He glanced at the face so near
his own. 1t was delicately flushed.
The girls eyes were gazing straight
ahead over the valley lying to the
parted as If she were listening to
hear.
Ruth" Lang said softly.
'tHarkl" she whispered "A thrush
Do you hear him?"
From the wood behind came the
clear, bell-like note of the hidden
bird. From farther away came the
answering call Of another thrush.
Il did not know they sang as
early as this" the man said softly. Il
had an idea one could hear them
only at sunset or in the very early
morning.
NO. They often sing in the day
time in the very thick woods" she
explained "Or, when a cloud makes
them think that evening is coming on.
See, over there at the west, cloud
is rising now. We are going to have
a storm"
But the sun Is shining brightly"
her companion argued
Yes, right here But look in the
valley behind YOU! It is already in
shadow
A storm Coming
She spoke truly. In the west
thunderheads were gathering and
climbing threateningly upward. The
little houses on the slope of the west
ern hills were already in shadow.
THE sun is getting very yellow,
too the girl said. THAT means a
storm. We would best get down the
maintain as soon as we can"
She put her foot on the self
starter and the engine began to
throbs
Il am glad l had the top of the
car put up" she murmured. las 1T
is, ! am afraid you will get wet II
the wind rises when the rain comes"
1T won't hurt met the man said
quickly. II will not have you worry
about me. You have been to enough
Inconvenience already on my ac-
count"
She did not speak until she had
turned the car and was driving down
the steep road.
wish you would not talk like
that" she said then. very gravely.
II have been put to no inconvenience
and ! hoped you knew it,
Her tone made him fear he had
hurt her. He could not bear that.
You do not understand what
mean" he explained. You think
THAT I do not know that you are
giving up your room for my mother.
that you have removed your belong
ings to the hot third floor of your
found that out yesterday. but I had
no chance to speak to you about it.
But / do thank you now"
Il don't want you to thank me-"
she said. 1T will be pleasure to
meet your mother. and I can under
stand perfectly her anxiety to see
for herself just how you are. AS to
the third floor ROOM" with laugh.
Il will have you understand, Mr..
Lang, that 1t is truly remarkable
room.
I'm it, when was child. I had
all sorts of good times, all sorts of
Imaginary companions When I was
lonely, or naughty, 1 used to go up
there and play that lots of people
were welcoming me there, and all of
them loving me. 1t was quite won
derful.''
II do not see.' her companion said
slowly, why there was anything
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