The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-30
THEIR MUTUAL CHILD,' By P. C. Wodehouse

over with an absurd pride for which It was not easy to find an outlet =,
 Steve, excellent fellow, was always glad to listen to him on his favorite subject. He had many long talks with Steve on the ques- tion of Williams future. Steve, as the in- fant's godfather, which post he had claimed and secured at an early date, had definite views on the matter.
 Here, held Steve, was the chance of lifetime. With proper training, baby of such obvious muscular promise might be made the greatest fighter that ever stepped into the ring. He was the real White Hope.
 Mrs. Lora Delane Porter, eying Williams brow, of which there was plenty, he being at this time extremely short of hair, pre- dicted less robust and more intellectual future for him. Something more on the lines of president of some great university or ambassador at some important court struck her as his logical sphere.
 Kirks view was that he should combine both careers and be an ambassador who took few weeks off every now and then in order to defend his champions belt. ln his spare time he might paint picture or two.
 Ruth hesitated between the army, the navy, the bar, and business But every one was agreed that William was to be some thing special, "-
 Any idea Kirk may have had of resum- ing his work was abandoned during these months. It astonished Kirk to find how strong the paternal instinct was in him.
 The White Hope, as Steve called his god son-possibly with the idea of influencing him, by ggestion-grew.AaTh The ailments which attacked lesser babies passed him by.
 Such was the remarkableness of this child that it annoyed Kirk more and more that he should be obliged to give the exhibition of his extraordinary qualities to so small an audience. Ruth felt the same; and it
 kI.AA AI.o krrrnc were made to the silent camp which con- tained her father and her brother Bailey.
 Since that evening in the library there had come no sign from the house on Fifth avenue that it's inmates were aware of her existence. Life had been too full till now to make this a cause of trouble to her; but with William Bannister becoming every day more amazing the desire came to her to try and heal the breach Her father had so ordered his life ih his relation to his children that Ruth's affection was not so deep as 1t might have been; but, after all. he was Will liam Bannister's grandfather, and, as such entitled to consideration.
 It was these reflections that led to Steve's state visit to John Bannister-probably the greatest fiasco on record.
 Steve had. been selected for the feat on the strength of his having the right of entry to the Fifth avenue house, for John Ban mister was still obeying his doctors orders and taking his daily spell of exercise with the pugilist-and Steve bungled 1t hope iessly.
 His task was not simple one. He was instructed to employ tact, to hint rather than to speak, to say nothing to convey the impression that Ruth in any way regretted the step she had taken, to give the idea that it was a matter of complete indifference to her whether she ever saw her father again or not, yet at the same time to make it quite clear that she was very anxious to see him as soon possible. -r.-
 William Bannister was to accompany Steve and be produced dramatically to sup port verbal arguments. It seemed to Ruth that for her. father to. resist William when he saw him was an impossibility. Williams position was that of the ace of trumps in the cards which Steve was to play.
 Perhaps the real mistake of the expedi- ton was the nature of its baggage. William Bannister had stood out for being allowed to take with him his wheelbarrow, his box of bricks, and his particular favorite, the dying pig which you blew out and then al , lowed to collapse with pleasing noise. .. Steve had no difficulty in smuggling William into his grandfather's house. He was a great favorite below stairs there. His great ally was the English butler, Keggs. Today he greeted. Steve with enthusiasm and suggested cigar in the pantry before the latter should proceed to his work.