Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-12-11

back on some himsy pretext," he said,
relighting bis cigar. II forgot that
time was going. and she was willy
enough to keep me talking until Miss
FALSELY caught me at 1t and showed
me out. tell you." turning on Sci.
wyn, children are what make life
worth VIII He ceased abruptly at q
Gentle tap from his wife's foot, and
Selwyn looked up.
Whether or not he OWNED the inter
ference. he said very quietly: I'D rath
er have had children than anything In
the world. They're about the best
there is In life, ! agree with you
| Austin"
His sister, watching him askance,
was relieved to see his troubled face
become serene, though she OWNED the
effort
kids are the best" he repeated,
smiling at her. Failing them. for
second choice I've taken to the labora.
tory. Some day Ill invent something
and astonish you. Nina"
wen fit you up a corking labora-
tory" began Austin cordially. There
| ISL
you're very good Perhaps youli
all be civil enough to move out OF the
house II need more room for bottles
and retorts
"Of course PHI must have his labora'
tory" insisted Nina. There's loads
of unused room In this big barn. only
you don't mind being at the top of the
house. do you. Philip
"Yes. do | want to be In the
drawing room or somewhere SO that
you all may enjoy the odors and get
the benefit OF premature explosions.
Oh. come now, Austin. If you think
I'm going to plant myself here on
YOU
Don't notice him, Austin" said
Nina; abe only wishes to be implored
And By the same token you'd both
better let me implore you to dress!'
She rose and bent forward In the fire.
light to peer at the clock. "Goodnessl
Do you creatures think I'm going to
give Eileen half an hours start with
her maid and carrying my twelve
years handicap too? No. indeed! I'm
decrepit, but I'm going to die lighting.
Austin, get up! You're horribly slow.
anyhow. Phil. Austin's man-such as
be is--will be at your disposal. and
your luggage Is unpacked."
In the hallway SeIwyn and Austin
encountered radiant and bewDdering
vision awaiting them Eileen In all her
glory.
WONDERFUL" said Gerard. patting
the visions rounded bare arm as he
hurried past. Fine gown. fine girl!
But I've got to dress. and so has Phil.
tp." He meant well.
"Dc you like It. Captain selwyn?"
asked the girl. turning to confront
him where be had halted. Gerard
isn't coming, and-l thought perhaps
you'd be interested"
The formal, half patronizing compli
ment on his tongues tip remained
there unsaid. He stood silent. touched
by the faint underringing usefulness
In the laughing voice that challenged
his opinion. and something within him
responded In time:
"Your gown is beauty; such won. |
derful lace. OF course anybody would
know It came straight from Paris or
from some other celestial region"
She colored enchantingly and. with |
pretty, frank impulse. held out both
Ter hands to him.
"You are dear, Captain Selwyn! 1t
Is my first real dinner gown. and I'm
quite mad about 1t, and somehow !
wanted the family to share my mad.
NESS with me. Nina will. She gave 1t
o me, the darling. Austin admires It,
90, Of course, but he doesn't notice
uch things very closely, and Gerald
sn't here. Thank you for letting me
how it to you before go down."
She gave both his hands q friendly
little shake and, glancing down at her
kirt in blissful consciousness Of its
perfection, stepped backward into her
,wn room.
Later while he stood at his dresser
an immaculate knot in his
white tie, Nina knocked
Hurry. Phil! Oh, may I come in?
lou ought to be downstairs with us,
'ou know. And it was very sweet of
'ou to be so nice to Eileen. The child
lad tears in her eyes when I went in.
)h, just single diamond drop in each.
FOUR sympathy and interest did II.
hink the child misses her father on an
ccasion such as this-the beginning Of
lie, the first step out into the world.
len do not understand what 1t means
0 US. Gerald doesn't, I'm sure. I've
cen watching her, and | know the
hadow Of that dreadful tragedy falls
n her more often than Austin and
re aware of. You are among your
wn people. anyhow"
His own people! The impatient ten.
erness of his sisters words had been
In bis ears all through the
vening. They rang out clear and In.
stent amid the tumult Of the dinner.
e heard them in the laughing confu-
on of youthful voices. They stole
ito the delicate undertones Of the mu-
c to mock him. The rustling of silk
nd lace repeated them. The high
cells of satin slippers echoed them in
ony.
His own people!
The scent of overheated flowers, the
ldden warm breeze eddying from
pricious fan, the mourning thrill or
~ x,ioIi,,s or,nha Tod tho onnnhaSia of