The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-30
CHAPTER H
A T ABOUT the time when Lora Delan "A Porter was cross-examining Kirk Wir

gentleman. who had been unburdening his soul to Bailey, was seeking further consola- ton in an amber drink with cherry at the bottom of it. His name was Grayhng, his height five feet three, his SOCKS plnk ana his income enormous.
 Let us now examine Bailey. He is a iaultlessly. dressed young man of about twenty-seven who takes it as a compliment when people think him older. His mouth, at present gaping with agitation and the unwonted exercise, is, as a rule, primly closed. His eyes, peering through gold trimmed glasses, protrude slightly, giving something of the dumb pathos of codfish.
 His hair is pale and scanty, his nose sharp and narrow. He is ju partner in the firm of Bannfster & Son, and it is his un- alterable conviction that, if his father would only give him a chance, he could show Wall Street some high finance that would aston ish it.
 Bailey Bannister was a young man who considered the minding of other peoples business duty not to be shirked. He looked on himself as a sort of guardian to Ruth. Their mother had died when they were chil- dren, and old Mir. Bannister was indiffel- ently equipped with the paternal instinct. He was absorbed, body and soul. in the business of the firm. He lived prat ticaily hermit life in the great house on 5th Ave nue; and, if it had not been for Bailey, so Bailey considered, Ruth would have been allowed to do just whatever she pleased. It is a hard world for a conscientious young man of twenty-seven.
 Bailey paid the cab and went into the house. It was delciously cool in the hall, and for a moment peace descended on him. But the distant sound of a piano i'll the upper regions ejected it again by reminding him of his mission. He bounded up the stairs and knocked at the door of his sisters private den.
 '"Wen. Bailey" she said, you look warm."
 ''I am warm," said Bailey in an aggrieved tone.
 Il want to speak to you, Ruth."
 "Well?" she said,
 Ruth Bannister was an extraordinarily beautiful girl, "a daughter of the gods, di- vinely tall, and most divinely fair" From her mother she had inherited the dark eyes and ivory complexion which went so we'll with her mass of black hair; from her father a chin of peculiar determination and per feet teeth. Her body was strong and supple. She radiated health.
 q have a shock,'' said Bailey. "I have been very greatly disturbed. have just been speaking to Clarence GTayling."
 And what had Clarence to say?"
 "A great many things.'
 'I gather he told you had refused him"
 If it were only thaty'
 Ruth rapped the piano sharply. Bailey" she said. wake up. Either get to the point or go or read book or do some tat ting or talk about something else. You know perfectly we'll that I absolutely re- fuse to endure your impressive manner. Whats troubling you? should have thought Clarence would have kept quiet about insulting me-"
 Bailey gasped. Insulting you! What do you mean? Clarence is a gentleman. He is incapable of insulting a woman"
 "Is he? He told me was suitable wife for wretched dwarf with the miserably in- adequate intelligence which nature gave him reduced to practically minus quantity by alcohol! At least, he implied it. He asked me to marry him."
 q have just left him at the club. He is very upset"
 "I should imagine so. I explained things to him. lit up Clarence's little mind like a search-light."
 "Is it nothing" demanded her brother, that my sister should have spoken to man as you spoke to Clarence Grayhng?" With an impassioned gesture he sent a flower vase crashing to the floor.
 'I told you s0," said Ruth Pick up the bits, and don't let the water spoil the carpet. Use your handkerchief. l should say that that would cost you about six dol