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

 Aunt. Lora informs me that you arc goirs to marry this man Winfield. Is it or is it not true?"
 "Of course it's true"
 Bailey drew in his breath.
 "Very good" he said stonily. 'T shall now call upon this MT. Winfield and thrash him." With that he walked out of the room.
 He directed his cab to the nearest hotel, looked up Kirk's address in the telephone book, and ten minutes later was ringing the studio bell
 A look of relief came into George Penni- cuts eyes as he opened the door. To George nowadays every ring at the bell meant possible visit from Lora Deiane Porter.
 "Is MT. Kirk Winfield at home?"
 "Yes, sir. Who shall I say, sir?"
 "Kindly tell MT. Winfield that MT. Ban mister wishes to speak to him."
 "Yes, sir. Will you step this way, sir?"
 While Bailey was driving to the studio in his taxicab, Kirk, in boxing trunks and a sleeveless vest, was engaged on his daily sparring exercise with Steve Dingle.
 This morning Steve seemed to be amused at something. As they rested, at the con- clusion of their fifth and final round, Kirk perceived that he was chuckling, and asked the reason.
 "Why, say" exclaimed Steve, 'sf was only thinking that it takes all kinds of ivory domes to make nuttery. I ran across a new brand of simp this morning. Just be- fore come to you Pm scheduled to show up at one of these Astofoilt homes t'other side of the park. First I mix it with the old man, then son and heir blows in and at tend to him.
 "Well, this morning son acts like he's all worked up. He's one of these half-portion Willie-boys with Chappendale legs, but he throws out line of talk that would make you wonder if it's safe to let him run around loose. Says his minds made up;. he's going to thrash a gink within an inch of his life; going to muss up his features so bad he'll have to have 'em replanted.
 "Why?" I says. Never you mind,' says he. Well, who is he?' l asks. What do you think happens then? He thinks hard for spell, rolls his eyes, and says: Search me. I've forgotten Know where he lives? I asks him. Nope he says.
 "Can you beat it! Seenis to me if I had a kink in my coco that big I'd phone to an alienist and have myself measured for a strait-jacket. Gee! You meet all kinds, going around the way I do."
 Kirk laughed and lit cigarette.
 "If you want to use the shower, SteVe," he said, "youd better get up there now. l shant be ready yet a while. Then, if this is one of your energetic mornings and you would care to give me a rub-down--"
 sure, said Steve ODllglngly. lie plckeO up his clothes and went upstairs to the bath room, which like the bedrooms, opened onto the gallery. Kirk threw himself on the couch, fixed his eyes on the ceiling, and be- gan to think of Ruth.
 "Mr. Bannister," announced George Pen nicut at the door.
 Kirk was on his feet in one bound. The difference, to man whose mind is far away, between "Mr. Bannister" and "Miss Bannister," is not great, and his first im- pression was that it was Ruth who had arrived.
 He was acutely conscious of his costume, and was greatly relieved when he saw, not Ruth, but a severe-looking young man, who advanced upon him in tight-lipped, popr eyed manner that suggested dislike and hostility.
 "Mr. Winfield?"
 ''Mr. Bapnister?"
 ''That is my name. It is familiar to you. My sister," said Bailey bitterly, "has made it SOD
 ''Won't you sit down?" said Kirk.
 ''No, thank you. I will not detain you long, MT. Winfield"
 My dear fellow! There's no hurry. Will you have a cigarette?"
 1'No, thank you"
 Kirk was puzzled by his visitors manner So, unseen in the shadows of the gallery, was Steve.
 q can say what I wish to say in two