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

"If you are going to Bill, I am coming with you"
 It was nearly seven o'clock when Mrs. Porter reached the house. She was a little tired from the journey, but in high good humor.
 "Is Mrs. Winfield in 2" she asked Kaggs as
 "No, madam." said Keggs. Mrs. Win field has not yet returned"
 Where has she gone?"
 "Tc Tuxedo, madam"
 '"Tuxedo?"
 Mrs. Winfield has just yung us up from there upon the telephone to request thai necessaries for an indefinite stay be dis patched to her. She is visiting Mrs. Baile, Bannster.
 ''If I may be allowed to say so, madam I think that there must have been trouble at Mrs. Bannister's. A telephone call came from her very early this morning for Mrs Winfield which caused Mrs. Winfield to rise and leave in taximeter-cab in an extrems it is probably a case of serious illness. Mrs Winfield was looking very disturbed"
 "H-n1p said Mrs. Porter. She went up stairs. Her intention was to look in at the nursery and satisfy herself that all was well with William Bannister. Perhaps her keer eye might be able to detect some deviation from the rules she had laid down.
 It detected one at once. The nursery wa, empty. Il have been making inquiries, madam and l regret to inform you that nobody ap pears to have seen Master Williara all day.
 "Whatv'
 "It not being fny place to follow his move ments, was unaware of this until quite re gently, but from conversation with the other doniestics find that he seems tt have disappeared"
 Perhaps Mrs. Winfield took him with he, to Tuxedo"
 'tNo, madam. Mrs. Winfield was alone l was present when she drove away"
 "Send Mamie to lae at once" madam''
 Not in the house? What business has she to be out? Where is she?"
 q could not tell you, madam" Keess paused, reluctant to deal the final blow, as child fingers lovingly over the last lick of ice cream in a cone. '1 saw her at about five o'clock, driving off with MT. Winfield in an automobile"
 Ruth had not seen Bailey since the after noon when he had called to warn her against Basil Milbank. WheAher it was of- tended dignity that kept him away, or mere ly pressure of business, she did net know.
 She did not hear all that was said in so- ciety about Bailey's financial operations which, as Bailey had the control of her
  nipulation of money bored her, and she had left the investing of her legacy entirely to Bailey. Her father, she knew, had always had high opinion of Bailey's business in. stincts, and that was good enough for her
 1t was common report now that Bailey was taking big chances. Some went so fal as to say that he was asking for it, "sit" in his case, being presumably the Nemesis which waits on those who take big chances in- an uncertain market. It was in the air that be was, going up against the Pinkey DoiEd group and the Norman~Graham com. binatiOn, and everybody knew that the eeni. eteries of Wall Street were full of the un. honored graves of others who in years past had attempted to do the same.
 If Steve had but known. she had had the "jolt'' by which he set such store. She knew now that she had thrown away the sub stance for the shadow.
 And then, this morning, had come a voice from the world she had lost--little Mrs Bailey's voice, small and fearful.
 Gould she possibly come out by the nef, train? Bailey was very i'll. Bailey was dy ing. Bailey had come home last night look ing ghastly. He had not slept. In the earl! piorning he had begun to babbie
 This was the had news which had brough about the pallor which had impressed kegss as he helped Ruth into her cab.
 Little Mrs. Bailey was waiting for hel on the platform when. she got out of th' train: Her face was drawn and miserable