Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-11-05

she naG fallen into something of his
manner of especially since
she realized how much amusement he
found in her own smiling confusion
when unexpectedly assailed. Also, to
her surprise, she found that he could
be plagued very easily. though she did
not quite dare it at first, in view of
his impressive years and experience.
But, once goaded to it. she was aston
ished to find how suddenly it seemed
to readjust their personal relations
years and experience falling from his
shoulders like cloak which had con-
cealed man very nearly her own age,
years and experience adding them
selves TO her, and at least an inch to
her stature 10 redress the balance be-
tween them.
1t had amused him immensely as he
realized the subtle change. and it pleas
ed him, too, because no man of thirty
five cares to be treated like grand
father by girl of nineteen, even if
she has not yet Worn the polish from
her first pair of high heeled shoes.
Its astonishing" he said, chow lit
tie respect infirmity and age command
| in these days.
Il do respect you." she insisted, "es-
pecially your infirmity Of purpose. You
| said you were going to ride by your
self. But, do you know, don't believe
| you are of a particularly solitary dis
| position. Are you?"
He laughed at first, then suddenly his
face fell.
+ Not from choice" he said under his
breath. Her quick ear heard, and she
turned, semi-serious, questioning him
with raised eyebrows.
Nothing. I was just muttering.
I've a villainous habit of muttering
mushy nothings"-
You did say something's
mo; only ghoulish gable. the mere
mprky mouthings of meager MIND"
You did. It's rude not to repeat it
when l ask you.'
II didn't mean to be rude"
"Then repeat what you said to your.
SELF
do you wish me tor he asked, rails
ing his eyes so gravely that the smile
faded from lip and voice when she
answered: Il beg your pardon, Cap
tain Selwyn. 1 did not know you Were
serious"
"Oh, I'm not" he returned lightly.
I'm never serious. No man who solil.
oquizes can be taken seriously. Don't
you know, Miss Enroll. that the crown.
ing absurdity of all tragedy is the so.
liloquy?"
Her smile became delightfully."- uncer.
tain. She did not quite understand
him, though her instinct warned her
that for a second something had men.
aced their understanding.
Riding forward with him through
the crisp sunshine of mid-December
the word tragedy" still sounding in
her ears, her thoughts reverted natural
Iy to the only tragedy besides her OWL
which had ever come very near to her
his own.
i Could he have meant that? Did peo
pie mention such things after they had
happened? Did they not rather con
ceal them, hide them deeper and deep
er with the aid Of time and the kindly
years for burial past all recollec
|, ton?
Troubled, uncomfortably intent or
evading every thought or train OF
ideas evoked, she put her mount to q
galIop. But thought kept pace witt
her.
She was, Of course, aware Of the
situation regarding Selwyn's domestic
affairs. She could not very we'll have
, been kept long in ignorance Of tbs
facts. so Nina had told her carefully
leaving In the young girls mind only
a bewildered sympathy for man and
wife whom dreadful and incompre
i hensible catastronhe bad oYertaken