The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-30
FOUR

FOOh Ruth appeared. She stood in the doorway looking at him for moment. "Are you busy, father? I-1 want to tell you something" > "I think have heard it alreadyS' he said. 'I have just been seeing Bailey"
 "What did Bailey tell you, father?" "That you fancied yourself in love with some actor or artist or other whose name l have forgotten"
 "It is not fancy. l do love him."
 "Yes?"
 "Are you very angry, father?"
 "Why should I be? Let's talk it over, quietly. There's no need to make tragedy of it."
 ' "I'm glad you feel like that, father"
 "Tell me all about it," he said.
 Ruth found herself surprisingly near tears. She had come into the room with every nerve in her body braced for su- preme struggle. Her fathers unexpected gentleness weakened her, exactly as he had foreseen.
 "How did it begin?" he asked. .-.s "Well," said Ruth, "it began when Aunt Lora took me to his studio"
 "Yes, heard that it was she who set the thing going. She is a friend of this fellow what is his name?" Kirk Winfield. Yes, she seemed to know
  And then?" t1 "Well, that's all,' she said. q just fell in love with him."
 "You just fell in love with him." he re- peated Pretty quick work, wasn't it?''
 'I suppose it was"
 "And what did he do? Was he equally sudden?",
 "He would have liked to be, poor dear, but he felt he had to be cautious and pre- pare the way before telling me. If it hadn't been for Bailey, he might be doing it still. Apparently, Bailey went to him and sald I had said I was going to marry him, and Kirk came flying round, and-weli, then 1t was all right" MT. Bannister drew thoughtfully at his cigar. "Well, my dear," he said at last "I think you had better consider the en- gagement broken off"
 "Fatherv' she cried.
 "We needn't get worked up about it,' he said. Let's keep right on talking it over "Very we'll" said Ruth "But, after what you have just said, what is there to talk Over?'
 There was hurried knock at the door, Bailey burst in, ruffled and wild as to the eyes.
 Father" he cried, II don't want to in terrnpt you, but that internal woman, Aunt Lora, has arrived, and says she won't go  now"
 "Not now," said Lora Delane Porter, nov ing him to one side and entering the room "I thought it would be comfort to you, Ruth, to have me with you to help explain exactly how matters stand. Good evening, John Go away, Bailey. Now, let us dis cuss things quietly"
 Mr. Bannister rose. "There is nothing to discuss" he said shortly. ''I have no wish to speak to you at all. As you appear to have played a large part in this affair, may as we'll tell you that it is settled; Ruth will not marry MT. Winfield"
 There was a pause. John Bannister glared furiously at Mrs. Porter, but her gaze was moving easily about the room, taking in each picture in turn in leisurely inspection.
 An exclamation from Ruth broke the s- lence. She sprang up, her face working, her eyes filled with tears. q can't stand it!' she cried. 'I can't stand it any longer! Father, Kirk and 1 we're married this after noon."
 Mrs. Porter went quickly to her and put her arm round her. Ruth was sobbing helplessly. The strain had broken her. John Bannister's face was leaden. His mouth twisted dumbly. ..
 Mrs. Porter led Ruth gently to the door and pushed her out. Then she closed it and turned to him.
 "So now you know, John," she said: