Ah! my friend, it must have been a strong motive to influence you like that." He overlooks the peculiar patronizing air, such as a young woman sometimes assumes toward a boy her junior.
"Lady Ruth, the person you refer to, the thought of whom sent me to save that child, bears what is to me the holiest name on earth--mother." She draws a quick breath.
"Forgive me.

I was rude." "Not at all.

My words admitted of just such a meaning as you placed upon them." "You left her in Chicago, of course." John looks at her steadily.
"Lady Ruth, it may sound strange to you after what I have said, but my memories of my mother are all confined to the far past, to a period when I was a mere child; but they are none the less previous on that account." She looks puzzled, as well she may.
"Do you mean she is--dead ?" "Heaven forbid, but I have not seen her in all these years.

That is one reason I am abroad, Lady Ruth.

I have a sacred mission to perform--to find my mother--to seek the solution of a mystery which has embittered my life.