The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1907-08-09
Alive or Dead?'
The Strange Disappearance of
Gerald RathbOne.
sy GUY rhoRNE.

long time. But, believe me-" he con-
cluded, with . singular simplicity and
boyishness, . really couldn't help it"
Charliewood laughed q little and
then sighed to himself.
Il quite understand" he said, these
things do and will happen, and that it
wasn't your fault at all. But l do think
it's very wrong il a girl who finds that
she has made a mistake doesn't put it
right before 1t becomes unavoidable"
do you really" Rathbone cried.
We'll, do you know, that's just my
point of view, and It relieves me to
hear you say So"
"And do you know" Charliewood
replied, that I'm probably the most
intimate friend William Gouldesbrough
has in the world?"
Rathbone started. Good Lord!" he
said. Then what-then why-and
you really mean that you can be
friends with me?"
That's just what l do mean" Char
liewood answered, and now we've got
to the point; I will tell you frankly
that, though u meeting was a pure
accident in the first place, I am awful
~ glad that we did meet and that you
are here tonight. I have talked the
whole matter over with poor. dear Sir
William a good deal lately. He has
done me the honor to make me his
conldant In the matter. Two or three
days ago I mentioned that knew
you"
What did he say :" Rathbone asked
quickly.
II can't tell you his words" Charlie
wood answered., "but I can tell you
their purport. And it was a wonder
full revelation to me Of the strength
and beauty Of my old friends charac-
ter. He's q fine fellow. Rathbone, and
when you know him you'll say so,
too"
Know him?" Rathbone said. my
dear C~harliewood, surely you see
that it's impossible that should meet
q man to whom I have unconsciously
done such a great injury?"
"Ah," Charliewood answered, you
don't know William. 1t is just the
possibility which makes his character
SO fine. Practically what he said to
me was this: You know this young
fellow, Eustace. Is he a decent sort
of man? A gentleman in ideas as we'll
as in position, clean living, and all
THAR AS far as l know l answer
ed, he's lust so" in every way"
Once more Rathbone colored up to
the eyes.
Charliewood went on.
Then William unburdened himself
to me fully. I only want Marjorie
Poole to be happy he said, and when
the proper time arrives l shall Just
write and tell her so. was fond OF
her, deeply fond OF her; what mar
would not be? I thought, If she cared
for me, that she would be a worthy
mistress of my house, and an ideal
partner to share my fortune and the
position I have won. But I am much
older than she is. I am immersed, as
o know, In grave scientific pursuits.
and I quite realize that I could not
give her what, az q young girl. she
has the right to expect. I don't say
that l ~relinquish my claim upon her
without a pang. but I have other in
IN my life. and love could in
any case only be q part Of It. Do you
know what I should like to do more
than anything else. Eustace? what?'
/ said. Why he continued. to meet
this young Mr.. Rathbone. To tell him
all that I am telling you, perfectly
frankly, to shake him by the hand,
and. by Jove! to be the best man at
his wedding, IL he'd let me. Then I
shall get back to my inventions with
q quiet mind, knowing that the only
girl who has ever touched me In the
least degree is safe and happy"
Rathbone pushed back his chair and
up.
why, heavens!" he cried, what a
noble fellow! There's a man, II you
like. l can quite see 1t all, Charlie
wood, and you've relieved my mind Of
a tremendous weight. l can e it all
quite distinctly. One of the most dis
oAO CAdl uAA06 AAOA Va Az
day sect a beautiful and intellectual
girl, and thinks the time has come
when he must marry. OF course, he
can't really know what love is. like a
younger man. or a man who has not
made his mark In the world. He
can't feel what l feel, for instance.
And 80 he bows to the inevitable, and
in the kindest and most chivalrous
way wants to make every n happy.
Charliewood, it's just like q story.
book!"
Il don't read 'em myself much: the
papers do for me. But, pom my soul,
since you put it in that way, 30 It it,"
Mr.. Charliewood quite forgot to add
what sort Of story-book. Even the
most popular novels OF today don't
always have the traditional happy
ending.
sit down, old fellow" Charliewood
said. with great Kindness. you
mustn't miss this chicken; It Il Z
rather special dish. and I'm going to
ring for William"