"Afterward the family suffered reverses and came to America, bringing Ruth with them. When the elder White died, this son was taken by an uncle and aunt to Europe to finish his education there. But Ruth was old enough when they separated for them to have felt some attachment. "They corresponded. For two years now his letters have been loverlike. He had studied to be an artist and had gained some celebrity in Italy. The less the girl encouraged him the more eager he was to come to America and prove to her that she still loved him--as he claimed to love her. It was born of the man's romantic nature, I presume; yet he, poor fellow, has lost everything in this affair. Ruth agreed finally to marry him if, upon his appearance, she should be assured he was a man she could learn to love. "Yes, you may well blush, Mr. Ryder," pursued Mrs. Brack, smiling. "She discovered instantly--in the flash of an eye--that she could love you. She did love you. She does love you. She declares vehemently if White had met her she would have run away from him. "After their terrible scene the other day--did you know about that?" Ryder nodded. "She came to you for an explanation--for help. You are still a young man, John Ryder. You do not understand women. You left her alone--when she needed you--and without a word to comfort her. "White might have been foolish enough to linger about and cause more trouble, but Miss Solomons, who overheard his talk with your wife, tells me she 'chased him.' That girl is dreadfully slangy and appears to be hard and unfeminine; but she has a soft heart under it all, Mr. Ryder." "I can well believe it," agreed Ryder, thinking of "Little Laurel's Lovers." "I met your wife in the corridor ready dressed to leave the hotel," pursued Mrs. Brack. "She had packed her trunks and would have been foolish enough to run away. "It was by chance--no, it was providential--that I spoke to her. And because I am an old woman and have lived my life and have both suffered and been happy, she told me all. I saw that Mrs. Judson would succeed in making her scandalous story (that I had already heard and then understood) sound true if we were not careful. She has even been saying that you ran away from your bride----" "Confound her!" ejaculated John Ryder. "And after all Ruth's kindness to her!" "She is confounded--and by her own evil tongue. All gossips are in the end," said Mrs. Brack. "My husband and I have been in this hotel fourteen years. If _I_ approve of a person the guests at large are not very likely to believe the scandalous stories of such flutterbudgets as Mrs. Judson. "I have made Ruth appear with us in the dining-room. That put a stop to all the gossip. And so--she is waiting for you in her rooms now, Mr. Ryder. She is a girl that any man--I do not care how high he may be--should be proud to secure for a wife, and----" "I am going to her!" cried John Ryder, and darted away.