The Coming of Bill

s the tremendous events that had been taking place in hisabsence, he was first

the other hand, it was a relief to him tofind that his father appeared to consider trivial a cri

ened the nut-cracker mouth that always had theappearance o

she?" h

ud at this point, Bailey rightly conjecturedthat the audience was at an en

atriarchal mind, and he welcomed opportunities of exercising hisauthority over his children. It had always been his policy to rule themma

over Bailey, but it needed a definite crisis like thepresent one to enable him to je

air brought him into imm

ocial life had brought him into conflict, shealone had fought him squarely and retired with

s. Porter who openlyexpressed her contempt f

his immediate sphere over w

ld, bluntand self-sufficing, and he hated her as he hated no one else. Thethought that she had now come to grips with him and that

hom he classed together inone group as men who did not count, save in so far as they gave mildentertainment to th

s. It had never occurred to him towonder if they were fond of him. They formed a necessary part of hishousehold, and beyond that he was not interested in them. If he hadever

of her present insubordination, was surprising, but thething was too trivial to be a

She stood inthe doorway looking at him for a moment. Her f

ich his eyes contributed nothing. He hadmade up his mind to be perfectly calm and pleasant with Ruth. He hadread in novels and seen on the stage situat

ailey tell you, father?""That you fancied yourself in love with some actor or artist or o

over quietly. There's no need to make atragedy of it.""I'm gl

all about i

me struggle. Herfather's unexpected gentleness weakened her, exactly as he hadforeseen. The plan of action which he had

it begin?

she who set the whole thing going. She is afriend of this fellow-what is his name?""Kirk Winf

id. "I just fell in love wit

it was.""You just took one look at him and saw he was the affinity, eh?""I suppose so.""

en forBailey, he might be doing it still. Apparently, Bailey went to him andsaid I had said I was going to marry him, and Kirk c

miled, but his eyes were cold andhard. She realized suddenly that she had been played with, that all hiskindliness and amiability had

er!" sh

ntinued to puff se

ll," said Ruth. "But, after what you have just said, what isthere to talk over?""You might be interes

argue. You just lis

an't recall seeing his signature to any of the illustrations. Howdoes he live, anyway, without going into the question of how he intendsto support a wife?""Aunt Lora told me he had private means.""How much?""Five thousand dollars a year.""Exactly the amount necessary to let him live without w

omes out of this business? Does he show toadvantage? Isn't there just a suspicion of underhand

I was and who my fathermight be. He has been perfectly straight. If you like to say I havebeen underhanded, I admit it. I have. More so than you imagine. I justwanted him, and I didn't

anniste

estler yielding instead of resisting. Ruth's hard composure meltedinstan

d for me."Mr. Bannister chuckled inwardly. It seemed to him th

ord. It jarred upon her. She felt that they wereleagues ap

er," sh

ays thought it was customary on these occasions for the young man topresent himself in person, and not let

turally, he wanted to.""Of course!"There was a sneer in his voice which he did not try t

is the telephone. You can havehim here in ten minutes if you want to see him.""A very good idea. But, as it happens, I do not want to see him. Thereis

ill she has seenyou. She's downstairs now.""Not now," said Lora Delane Porter, moving him to one side and enteringthe room. "

hings quietly.""She is responsible for

anniste

played a large part in thisaffair, I may as well tell you that it is settled. Ruth will not marryMr. Winfield."

y thoughts in his presence."Quelled by her eye, Bailey removed himself. His fath

round the room w

he is a fit husband forRuth?""I know all about him.""What do you know?""What Ruth has told me. That he is a loafer who pretends to be anartist.""He is a poor artist. I grant you that. His drawing is weak. But areyou aware that he is forty-three inches round the chest, six feet tall

er tra

rs. Porter, buther gaze was moving easily about the room,

harp cry like that of ananimal in pain. She spran

on."Mrs. Porter went quickly to her and put her arm round her. Ruth wassobbing helplessly. The strain had

the door and pushed her out. Th

r years he hadcultivated it as a commercial asset. Often a fortune had depended onhis mastery of his emotions. Now, in an instant, h

asked Mr

of here. Let her go tohim. I have done with her.""