His business finished, Ryder turned to look for his bride. He saw men standing or sitting about, talking, smoking, and reading. He saw women, knitting or crocheting for the most part, in the foyer and in the parlors, into which he hastily looked. But where was Ruth? Where could she have gone--and why? The bellboy waited at the elevator, while Ryder stood helplessly, not knowing what to do. In a moment Ruth came from around a corner in the hall, eyes shining and a smile on her face. When she caught sight of Ryder, she went directly to him, unheedful of all others, and a deeper expression sprang into her happy eyes. The man felt moved to the depth. Could this look be for him? "I have been exploring a little," she said, as she came up to him, "and this is a lovely place to stay. I am glad we came here." Then, dropping her voice so that no chance passerby might hear, she added: "Oh, I am happy--so happy--too happy, almost!" Ryder had the whimsical thought as he crossed the foyer with his wife that he would like to shout aloud his own happiness and exultation. He hung back just a moment before entering the elevator with Ruth, to give a bellboy some money and certain instructions. Then the couple were shown to their rooms. "Oh, they are fine! Lovely!" cried Ruth delightedly, as soon as they were alone. "You dear boy! I believe you engaged the best suite in the house!" "The best I could get," admitted Ryder modestly. "But you mustn't be extravagant," and she came close to him, smiling directly into his eyes with a look in her own that almost dazzled him. "Folks can afford to be extravagant at this time if at no other," he declared stoutly, wondering if she knew the Pinewood Inn people were charging him thirty dollars a day for the suite. "You--you are a dear!" she said, and, putting her hands suddenly on his shoulders, she pressed closer, offering him her lips. The gracefulness of this little gesture was delightful. Ryder felt the flush rise in his cheeks as though he really were a youth. In that instant, when he first kissed his wife, he felt keen satisfaction that he had lived a clean, decent life and could meet her innocent caress without shame. "I believe you are going to be a disgracefully indulgent husband," she said, laughing and gliding quickly out of his arms. "I must stop that. You will make a wreck of your ship of fortune on the rock of an expensive wife." "Oh, there are a few shots left in the locker yet," said Ryder grimly. They could not dress for dinner as Ruth's trunks had not yet arrived and his own luggage would not be along until the next day. Ruth had toilet articles and brushes in her bag and she brought out of this, too, a wonderful little dressing sack, all ruffles and ribbons and lace, to wear while she dressed her hair. "May I smoke?" Ryder asked, sitting down to wait for her.