"This is my first experience west of the Mississippi. I was born and educated in Indiana." Golter, at King's invitation, took a seat on the bench. For some time they talked of the opportunities of the West compared to the East. Ruth was asked what she thought of the West as compared to the East. "I like the West," she said, "however, I do not know much of the East--except Virginia. I have been back there often to visit. It is a great place to be entertained;" and she discussed the hospitality of the people of the state of her ancestors at some length. She spoke in an interesting way of some of her visits to the old plantations. She was a pretty girl and had a dash and at the same time an air of refinement that made her very attractive. Several times while she was speaking King noticed Golter bestow admiring glances upon her in a way that told him that in Golter he had a rival; but that was no more than he had expected when Ruth spoke of having taken a ride with him a few evenings previous. "There is lots of excitement in town over the Ku Klux Klan," remarked Golter. "Yes. Were you out to hear the lecture?" "No, I wouldn't go to hear any of their lectures. I know too much about them." "You are acquainted with the activities of the Klan?" "Yes, the members in my home town were the lowest class." "Were you a member there?" There was a trace of sarcasm in King's voice. "Certainly not, sir," replied Golter with feeling. "How did you know then who were members?" "Well, I knew whom they said were members." "A matter of hearsay, then?" "Well, you might call it hearsay, but there are some things one is confident of though he is without positive proof. I know that the organization is lawless." "Now, that is what I would like to have proof of. How do you know?" "I read the exposure in Judson's International." "Aren't the Judson's publications Catholic?" "I believe they are." "Don't you think Judson's International might be a bit prejudiced?" "I don't think so. It's a great magazine. Well, I must be going. I will see you at the bank tomorrow," he said to Ruth. When Harold separated from Ruth at her home, she asked, "What do you think of Mr. Golter?" "To be frank," Harold replied, "I don't think much of him, that is, I am not favorably impressed.' "I think he's nice," she said, teasingly, and added, "don't you think he is good-looking?" "I think it's going to rain," Harold remarked and then told her good-night. Chapter V