The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-30
THEIR MUTUAL CtILD,'' By P. c. Woelel,ouse

in friendly spirit to warn you; but must say that for a man who married girl, as you married Ruth, in direct opposition to the wishes of her family, you take curious view of your obligations. If you are indif- ferent to her welfare, then all 1 can say IS that you should not have married her. You appear to think otherwiser Good afternoon"
 Kirk walked slowly hofne. As he reached the door an idea came to him, sU simple that he wondered that it had not occurred to him before. It was, perhaps, an echo cf his conversation with Steve.
 He would get Ruth to come away with him to the shack in the Connecticut woods. As he dweit on the idea the heat of the day seemed to become less oppressive and his heart Ieaped. How cool and pleasant 1t would be out there! They would take Bill with them and live the simple life again, in the country this time instead of in town.
 In the drawing-room Ruth was playing the piano softly, as she had done so often at the studlO. Kirk went to her and kissed her. marked cooiness in her reception of the kiss increased the feeling of nervousness which he had felt at the sIght of her. 1t came back to hIn that they had parted that afternoon, for the first t,me, on definitely hostile terms.
 Ruth, old girl. I've bully good idea It's getting too warm for anything in New York. Dnd you ever feel anything hke it is today? Why shouldn't you and
  there for week or sof And we would take Bill with us. Just we three. with somebody to do the cooking. It would be great. What do you say?"
 ''It's impossible as far as am concerned. l have hundred things to do before l can leave New York"
 ''Well, cou.d do with day or two to clear up few bits of work have on hand. Why couldn't we start this day week?"
 ''It is out of the question for me. About then shall be on MT. Mltbank's yacht. He has invited me to joln his party. The actual day IS not settled, but it Will be ins-about a weeks time"
 "oh" sad Kirk; Have you accepted the invitation?" = tt
 "l have not actually answered his letter. was just gong, to when you came in;'
 "But you mean to accept it2"
 SCertalniy. Several of my friends will be there. Sybil for one" "Oh, I.know Bailey has made some ridie- .ulcus objection to. her going. but mean to
 "So Bailey did call on you this afternoon? He told me he was gong to, but ! hoped he would think better of It.
 "Yes, Bailey came to the studio. He seemed troubled about this. yacht party"
 "Dld'he advlse you to forbid me to go?"
 Well, yes; he dld." X
 "And now you have come to do it?''
 Not at all. I told Baiiey that you were not the sort of woman one forbade to do things"
 nm not.''
 "All the same, wish you wouldn't go. It would be very jolly out at the shack
 Would it? It's rather a question of taste. Personally, | can't imagine anything more depressing and uncomfortable than being cooped up in a dratty frame house miles away from anywhere. There's no reason why you should not go, though. if you like that sort of thing. Of course, you must not take Bill"
 "Why not?"
 "I couldn't let him rough it like that. Aunt Lora would have a fit."
 For a few seconds Kirk's fury so mas tered him that he could not speak. Then, suddendiy, the storm passed and he found himself cool and venomeus. "We had bet ter get this settled" he said in hard, quiet voice.
 Ruth started.
 "Get wha. settled!" she asked, and was ft G0us with herself because her voice shook
 "1s Mrs. Porter the mother of the child, or are you? What has Mrs. Porter to do with it? Why should ask her permission? How does it happeN to be any business of Mrs. Porter's at all?"
 Ruth felt baffled. Aunt Lora has been wonderful with him. No child could have been better looked after.''
 'fI know she has uSad him aS a yahicIo