The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
The Greater Love
A NEW ROMANCE
By VIRGINIA TERHuNE VAN DE
 WATER
CHATTER L

CHAPTER l.
 Beatrice Lang was no fool. She saw that she had struck wrong note in her argument. She must change it skilfully.
 You misunderstood me, dear son." she hastened to say. "I would mem tion none of the advantages that would accrue from your marriage to any girl knew unless I knew that you and she already loved each other"
 She flattered herself that this was clever touch on her part Kenneth was too much like his father to pro- test that he did not love a woman if that woman loved him. He had absurd notions of chivairy, she re- flected swiftly. But she was thank full for them at this juncture. Yet.--if she were to give him B chance to talk any more love to the little country girl downstairs, might not those very ideas of chivalry prove his undoing? The game must be played very cautiously, yet very cleverly. She felt herself equal to the occasion.
 Kenneth rose and began to walk up and down the little room. His mother watched him. She was pretty sure of what he was thinking, and she was prepared for him. At last he spoke.
 Mother, I dislike, as I have just intimated, to discuss as delicate matter as this even with you. But you have forced me to do it, so l must speak frankly"
 Certainly you must. Surely there can be no harm in your showing me what is in your heart"
 "No. But 1t is hardly gallant to discuss what is in . woman's heart, he suggested. Nevertheless, under the circumstances, am going to say what I believe to be the truth. Vic toria Walsh does not care for me. Wait!" as his companion started to speak. T know what I am talking about. You judge by what you saw some weeks or months ago. am judging by what has taken place re- gently.
 Making His Point
 q happen to know, Mother, that a man in whom Victoria was inter ested when she was a mere girl has returned to Saxyille, and that she is receiving marked attention from him He and she drive together, and are constantly in each others society.
 And why should they not be- when the man she cares for is away? Can you expect her to sit at homo mourning your absence-and make laughing stock of herself? You are morbid, Remand you fancy that just because you are far from her, and another man Is not-and she goes out with the man who happens to be there-that she prefers the man to you.
 T tell you Victoria is loyal to you. She is only amusing herself just as, I may remark, you were amusing yourself whom you went driving yesterday with that silly little girl downstairs. Yet-I would no more think of your marrying her than you would of my marrying that father. One idea is as absurd as the other"
 He wheeled upon her. his eyes flashing. Be careful what you say. mother" he exclaimed, "our sense Of delicacy may not prevent your jest ing about a man who happens to be your host and to whom am under obligations, but you shall not speak slightly of one of the loveliest-'
 Kenneth. Hush"
 The command was so loud that the man caught his breath.
 "Someone will hear. you" he warned.
 .,someone will hear you!" tho won-. an retorted, lowering her voice. am surprised that a son or mine should speak to me as insuitinsiy as you did just now!
 Her One Weapon
 Then she used the one weapon that she knew would check his indigna- ton. She burst into tears.
 She was not crying woman, ana she reckoned wisely when she re- torted to weakness to bring strong man to her feet.
 "Motherm he gasped. appalled, at seeing her weeping. her face buried in her hands. 'Mpther" bending over her and laying a heavy hand on her heaving shoulders, T did not mean to speak insultinsly to you! l was ansry--and, perhaps, said more than ought. But I could not let you imply that Miss Grant :.
 "Implied nothing" she interrupted, still tcarfulIy. "you ought to know me well enough to be sure that | would not speak unkindly of such well-meaning little creature as she seems to be- How could you think