The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-08
CHAPTER LXIV

Kenneth felt he must know the truth. It was hideous for a man to suspect his mother of such deceit as he had imagined possible. It was still more hideous for him to hope she had been guilty of fa.se- hood
 What could be her motive?
 The answer was quick In coming. She wished to make sure of his marrying a rich girl-wished to ob- viate any chance of his marrying Ruth Grant.
 But event to bring about de- sired end his mother would not do him such a wrong as he had been so wicked as to suspect.
 He was ashamed of himself for having entertained such suspicion. Yet-he must make sure.
 Thus his thoughts rushed back and forth--now accusing him, then ac- cusing his mother.
 He felt that he could stand this uncertainty no longer. .He would see Ruth.
 Turing abruptly, he walked to- wards the town from which he had just come.
 As he neared home his breath was rapid and uneven. He had not ap- preciated until now how he had been hurrying. He remembered al trifle that he had only recently recovered from an illness and accident. That would account for his lack of strength. But he did not care if he was over tired. Nothing mattered unless Ruth loved him.
 Ruth Passes Him
 Three blocks from the Grant home a car passed him. In the light from the streetlamps he recognized pr. Smiths runabout.
 Ruth would be at home in two minutes. Kenneth could not get there under ten. The girl would then have time to bid her escort good night and retire to her room before the pedestrian could reach the house.
 Yet he could not walk any faster than he was now walking. Some thing told him that Ruth would ex- pect to see him. She would know that he would keep the engagement she had made with him early this evening.
 For once, he hoped that Nathaniel Smith would finger in making his adieux. That was his habit.
 It was habit that he adhered to tonight. For just as Lang passed through the front gate the young physician drove out the side one.
 Ruth was still standing on the ve- randa. She had seen Kenneth com ing up the walk. and had waited for him.
 You have been hurrying," she commented as she heard his rapid breathing That is not good for you."
 T was afraid I would miss you" he gasped. And I must see you for a few minutes"
 T told you I would arrange to talk with you" she reminded him gently. T had not forgotten"
 But l was afraid that you would think I had gone to my room," he explained.
 His Heart Sinks
 T see," she murmured, Mrs. Lang is upstairs?"
 "Yes-she went up some time ago. I went for walk. I was too rest less to sit down and wait for your return"
 We may as well sit down for a few minutes now" she suggested. "I don't think you ought to be stand ing after taking such strenuous ex- ercise."
 Her manner was SO calm and h. tone so subdued that the mans heart sank. Surely if this conversa- tion meant'to her what it did to him, she could not appear so unruffled.
 Let us go out on the south yer anda." he proposed. "It is on the other side of the house from my mothers room-and she will net over-hear me-"
 The speech did not sound as he had meant it to sound, but the girl did not comment on it. Instead she asked where her father was.
 He is on a case" Kenneth told her. following her to the porch where he had spent so many peace full hours.
 He stood by in silence until she was seated. then dropped down upon d bench near her. instead of taking