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

One of the arguments wnlcn SyDn nad advanced in the brief discussion which fol- lowed the ptting down of Bailey's foot had been that Ruth had been invited and ac- cepted, so why should not she? Bailey had not replied to this--it was at this point of the proceedings that the Tiffany move had been introduced, but he had not forgotten it. He thought it over, and decided to call upon Ruth. v 'it .,aiAs
 He struck this unfortunate note from the very beginning. Na
 "Ruth," he said. Il wish to speak seri- Ously to you.n
 Ruth looked at him with hostile eyes, but did not speak. He did not know it.. poor man. but he had selected an exceedingly bad moment for his lecture. It so happened that, only half an hour before, she and Klrk had come nearer to open warfare than they had ever come.
 On the following day, just before Bailey's call, he accordingly sought Ruth out, and rather nervously, for Ruth made him. feel nervous nowadays--suggested that he and she and William Bannlster take the air in each others company and go and feed the squirrels in the park.
 Ruth declined. She did not reveal her thoughts to Kirk because she was more than a little ashamed of them. A year ago, she knew, she would not have objected to the idea. A year ago such an expedition. would have been daily occurrence with her. Now she felt if William Bannister wished to feed the squirrels, Mamie was his pTOpef companion.
 She could not put all this boldly to Kirk, so she placed the burden of her refusal on the adequate shoulders of Lora Delane Por- ter. Aunt Lora, she said, would never hear of William Bannister wandering at large in such an unhygienIc fashion. Upon which Kirk, whose patience was not so robust as It had been, and who, like Ruth, found the day oppressive and making for irritabiIity, had cursed Aunt Lora heartily, given it as his opinion that between them, she and Dy,AA IL i belng into a sort of spineless, effeminate exhibit Tn museum and had taken himself off to the studio muttering disiointed things.
 Bailey saw the hostility in her eyes and winced little before it. He was not feel ing altogether at his ease. He had had ex- perience of Ruth in this mood, and she had taught him to respect it.
 But he was not going to shirk his duty He resumed: "I am only speaking for your own good, he said. q know that it is rioth- l am naturally anNious-''
 Bailey" interrupted Ruth, "get to the point" ,>
 "'Well, then," he said, baked of his pre-. amble, and rushing on his fate; II think you see too much. of Basil Milbank''
 Ruth raised her eyebrows. "Oh?"
 Il do not like to speak of these things" he went on more happily; "but I feel I must. It is my duty. Basil Milbank has not good reputation. He is not the sort VA 'hAclA -dLf-WiIU-tII IdCLs n0 nus not good reputation"
 "Oh?'
 'I understand that he has invited you to form one of his yacht party"
 How did you know?"
 "Sybil told me. He invited her.. re- fused to allow her to accept the invitation
 And what did Sybil say?"
 ''She was naturally little disappointed of course. but she did as I requested"
 Il wonder she didn't pack her, things and go straight off"
 You don't know what you are saying"
 "Oh? Do you think l should let Kirk dictate to me Nike that?'
 'He is certain to disapprove of your going when he hears of the invitation. What will you do?"
 Ruth's eyes opened. What shall do? Why. go, of course"
 Kirk was busy and not anxious for con versation, least of all with Bailey. He had not forgotten their last tete-a-tete. N-
 Bailey, however, was regarding him with feeling almost of friendliness.
 II came here, Winfield,'' he said, "be- cause l understand that this man Milbank has invited Ruth to join his yacht party''
 Surely you have met him? Yes, he was at my house one night when you and Ruth dined there shortly after your return.''
 Il don't remember him. However, if this man Milbank-I still can't place him---is