Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-11-03

''No,v must 60"
best" she concluded. with a satisfied
sigh, and dropped into a chair beside
her brother
Il should say" observed Selwyn,
that she's equipped for the slaughter
Of man."
Yes, but l am selecting the vic
tim, replied his sister demurely.
"Oh. Are you? klready?"
Tentatively
"Who:"
Sudbury Gray, / think, with Scott
Innis for an understudy, perhaps the
Draymore man as alternate done
know; there's time"
Plenty" he said vaguely. staring
into the fire, where a 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 chair.
'Drina, the little mink. called me
back on some fiimsy pretext,' he said,
relighting his cigar Il 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. l tell you," turning ON Sell
wyn, children are what make life
worth VIII He ceased abruptly at Il
gentle tap from his wife's foot. and
Selwyn looked up.
Whether OF not he OWNED the inter-
ference, he said very quietly: I'D rath
err 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 I'll invent something
| and astonish you, Nina"
"We'li fit you up a 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 il l 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, l do l want to be in the
drawing room or somewhere SO that
you all may enjoy the odors and get
the benefit of premature explosions.
f, Oh, come now, Austin, il 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 at the clock. Goodness!
Do you creatures think I'm going to
, give Eileen half an hours start with
her maid and l carrying my twelve
years handicap too? 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 Seiwyn and Austin
encountered a radiant and bewildering
vision awaiting them-Eileen in all hel
glory.
/ "Wonderful.' said Gerard. pattine
the visions rounded bare arm as he
\ hurried past. Fine gown, fine girl
But I've got to dress. and 80 has Phil
ip." He meant well.
do you like it, Captain SelwynT
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 wistfuiness
In the laughing voice that challenged
{ his opinion. and something within hin
responded in time:
your gown is beauty; such won
e ueTlul IdCc. vi COulSc any uOuy WOoae
know it came straight from Paris OF
from some other celestial region"
She colored enchantingly and, with
pretty, frank impulse, held out botf
her hands to him.
"You are dear. Captain Selwyn! i
Is my first real dinner gown, and Tn
Il quite mad about 1t, and somehow
wanted the family to share my mad
ness with me- Nina WILL She gave I
to me, the darling Austin admires Il
too, Of course. but he doesn't motto
such things very closely, and Geral'
!. isn't here. Thank you for letting n,
show 1t to you before go down."
, She gave both his hands a friendl.
little shake and, glancing down at he
. skirt IN blissful consciousness of it