The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-18

light Is 8OIL6r ana moIo AatbSAAAS
than any other. The arrangement of
candles In the illustration is effec-
tive at any time OF the year, and pro-
ask his host. He would inquire of
Martha later.
81 am wondering" he said now,
"if you would not like me to move
from my present quarters = your
guest room-and give my mother
that room. l can sleep anywhere,
you know"
His host shook his head. stop
planning" he Commanded. Ruth
and Martha have arranged all that,
1 tell you. Hank! there's the tele-
phoneg
few minutes later bearing in his
hand a slip of paper on which he
had scrubbed message just re-
ceived from the telegraph office.
"Listenr he said. Expect me
tomorrow evening by 6 o'clock train.
Beatrice Lang"
There, young man, now you
know that In little over "a hours
your mother will be with you Good
news, isn't it,"
CHAPTER xXxIH
Good news" Samuel Grant had
called 1t. And Kenneth Lang must
pretend that 1t was.
He managed to play the part as
signed him as long as his host was
with him.
1T am glad mother is not coming
in the morning" he remarked. ut
is easier for you and for her to
have her arrive at such civilized
hour as s in the evening"
yes she will get here in plenty
of time for supper" DR.. Grant said
complacently. 81 am sure Martha Will
fix up something especially nice for
her. won't you. Martha?'
Martha Crawford, removing the
dishes from the table, nodded cheer
FUZZY.
sure wiiIm she agreed. "And
IL [ do say it myself bet she'll find
my cookin' a long sight better'n any
thing she's been gettin' at summer
hotels. The fare at them places is
fierce"
Some Of them have very fine fare.
Martha" he employer remarked good
naturally.
81 know it costs an awful lot the
woman admitted, but 1t amt home
cookin', and It's all frills and fuss
and no substance to It. 1t don't stick
to a body's ribs"
Kenneth smiled. But he did not
feel like smiling. AS several times
before. he had a swift vision of his
fashionable mother at this table,
hearing Martha's comments, eating
the plain and we1l-served food He
knew only too well that Mrs. Lang.
Sr.. would prefer a hotel dining
room, with a blazing orchestra, rich
viands and all the latest fads of
fashion. He could not stand her
staying here! He could not!
Not Nice Outlook
Yet he must stand it--but he would
make 1t for an Incredibly short
time. Would It be possible, he pom
beloved place on the morning after
his lady-mother's arrival?
We'll. I must be goingw DR.. Grant
arose from the table. I've got a case
out towards Lincoln-and it's a
devilish hot drive. The thermometer
climbing up right along You might
know /, would II they have sup
per down at the church. It's always
hottern Gehenna when the church
tries to make folks have a good time
eating food that would taste better
at home.
"Perhaps,"-wlth chuckle-
that's the DEVILS way of trying to
break up the good peoples parties.
But he can't do it. They're game
those girls and women. And even IL
do laugh at them I admire their
spunk. And I'm glad my girl is ono
of them"
81 should think you would be-
Kenneth said sincerely. Then, be-
cause he must know he asked.
81 suppose 1t will be all right for
US to take our drive tomorrow, even
II my mother is to get here at 6,
won't it?"
Sure 1t will" his companion re-
piled. You'll get home before that
time and Ruth will have everything
ready before you and she start out.
Don't worry about that" he advised
| good naturedly as he put his broad
brimmed straw hat on his head and
took up his grip preparatory to start
Ing on his round of afternoon calls.
When he reached the front door he
paused to say, This hot spell Is
bound to end in thundershowers. but
don't see a sign of any today"
A hit Awkward
After he had gone, Kenneth Lang
waited in the hall until he heard
Martha return to the dining room.
Then he addressed himself to her.
Martha" he said awkwardly,
you know that my mother Is ex-
pected here-and l am afraid that
her coming is going TO upset the
household good bit. I don't like
to ask the doctor, or Miss Grant.
about it-but why don't they let me
| move out Of the guest room and give
1t to my mother? / am sure that you
all are going to lots of trouble for
us--my mother and me-"
Martha shook her head. There's
no use talkin' about your movin',"
che declared. "Ruthie won't have you
put out of the spare room. She says
you. as an invalid. ought to be com
Portable. So in spite of my advice
she's moved her things up into a
small room near mine-a room she
used to play In when she was little.
And she's fixed her own room up for
your ma"
Her own room!" Kenneth gasped.
She has given that up for my
mother"
Martha nodded. yes. She didn't
care to have you know 1t. She's got
.,