The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1908-12-02

sigh. and dropped into a chair beside
her brother
II should say" observed Selwyn,
that she's equipped for the slaughter
Of man"
Yes. but | am selecting the vic
tim," replied his sister demurely.
"Oh. Are you? AlreadyT
Tentatively"
"Who?"
Sudbury Gray. think, with Scott
lnnis Tor an uuderstudy, perhaps the
Draymore man as alternate-I don't
know: there's time"
Plenty he said vaguely. staring
into the FIRE. where log had collapsed
into incandescent ashes.
She continued to talk about Eileen
until she noticed that his mind was on
other matters. His preoccupied stare
enlightened her. She said nothing for
awhile.
But he woke up when Austin came In
and settled his big body in a chair.
"Drina. the little mink, called me
back on some flimsy pretext" he said,
relighting his cigar. II forgot that
time was going. and she was willy
enough to keep me talking until Miss
FALSELY caught me at It and showed
me out. | tell you," turning on Sel-
wyn. children are what make life
worth VIII he ceased abruptly at a
gentle tap from his wife's foot and
Selwyn looked up.
Whether or not he divined 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 divined 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 III invent something
and astonish you, Nina"
We'll fit you up corking labora-
tory" began Austin cordially. There
is
You're very good Perhaps you'll
all be civil enough to move out Of the
house if | need more room for bottles
and retorts."-
"Of course Phil 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. Phil?"
Yes, | do. want to be in the
drawing room OF 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; "he 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 ut the clock. "Goodnessl
Do you creatures think I'm going to
give Eileen half an hours start with
her maid and l carrying my twelve
years handicap too2 No, indeed! I'm
decrepit. but I'm going to die fighting.
Austin. get up! You're horribly slow
anyhow. Phil. Austin's man-such as
he is-will be at your disposal. and
your luggage is unpacked."
In the hallway Selwyn and Austin
encountered a radiant and bewilderiDg
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
ip." He meant well.
do you like it. Captain Selwyn?"
asked the girl. turning to confront
him where he had halted. Gerard
isn't coming, and-I 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 wistfulness
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 enchantlngly and. with
pretty, frank impulse, held out both
her hands to him.
you are a dear. Captain Selwyn! 1t
is my first real dinner gown. and I'm
quite mad about 1t, and somehow l
wanted the family to share my mad
ness with NE. Nina will. She gave It
to me, the darling Austin admires It,
too. Of course. but he doesn't notice
such things very closely, and Gerald
isn't here. Thank you for letting me
show 1t to you before go down."
She gave both his hands a friendly
little shake and, glancing down at her
skirt In blissful consciousness Of its
perfection, stepped backward into her
own room.
Later while he stood at his dresser
constructing an immaculate knot In his
white tie, Nina knocked.
Hurry, Phil! oh, may l come in?
You ought to be downstairs with us,
you know. And 1t was very sweet Of
you to be so nice to Eileen. The child
had tears In her eyes when | went in.