Rock Island Argus., 1908-12-26

HAJ much less. No tragedy
can hJh the boards as long as that
where the bill must be renewed three
times a day to hold even the passing
attention of those who themselves are
eternal understudies in the continuous
metropolitan performance.
AS for Selwyn, few people noticed
his presence at the funeral. But even
that episode was forgotten before he
left the city six hours later under an
invitation from Washington which ad-
mitted of no delay on the score Of pri-
vate business or of personal perplex-
ity, for the summons was peremptory
and his obedience so Immediate that a
Telegram to Austin comprised and con-
Guided the entire ceremony of his leave
taking
Later he wrote great many letters
to Eileen Enroll. not one of which he
ever sent But the formality of his ST.
lence was no mystery to her. and her
response was silence as profound as
the stiffness in her soul. But deep into
her young heart something new had
been born.
In April the armored ships left the
southern drill ground and began to
move northward. a destroyer took
Selwyn across TO the great fortress in
side the Virginia capes and left him
there. During his stay there was al
most constant firing. Later he contin-
ued northward as far as Washington.
but it was not until June that he tele-
graphed Austin:
Government satisfied. Appropriat ton
certain next session. Am on my way to
| New York.
Austin, in his house, which was now
| dismuntled for the summer telephon-
| ed Nina at Silverside that he had been
| detained and might not be able to
| grace the festivities which were to
| consist of neighborhood dinner to
the younger set in honor Of Mrs. Ger
| aid. But he said nothing about Sell
| wyn, and Nina did not suspect that
her brothers arrival in New York had
| anything to dowith Austin's detention.
AS Selwyn came leisurely up the
front steps Austin. awaiting him fe-
verishly, FASTENED to smooth the florid
| jocose mask over his features and
walked into the room, big hand ex-
tended large, bantering voice undis-
turbed by the tremor of a welcome
which filled his heart and came near
filing his eyes:
$50 you've stuck the poor old gov
ernment at last, have you? Took 'em
all in--forts, fleet and the marine cav
alry?'
"Sure thing" said Selwyn, laughing
In the crushing grasp of the big fist
How are you, Austin: Everybody IS
in the country, l suppose" glancing
/. around at the linen shrouded furni-
ture. How is Nina? And the kids
t Good business? And EileenT'
"She's all right" said Austin. Cad
She's really superb specimen this
summer. Where's your luggage? Oh
is it all here? Enough, mean, for us
! to catch a train for Silverside this
afternoon?'
Selwyn.
1 Room. Certainly! I didn't tell hel
you were coming. because If yor
hadn't the kids would have been hor
ribly disappointed. She and EileeI
4 are giving a shindy for Gladys-that'.
Gerald's new acquisition, you know
0 So If you don't mind butting into ;
baby show We'll run down. It's onl,
!. the younger bunch from Hitherwoot
:. House and Brookminster. What d,
you say, Phil?"
S Selwyn said that he would so, hest
tating before consenting. A curiou
: feeling of age and grayness had sud
q denly come over him, hint of fatigue
g of consciousness that much of life la.
y behind him.
f So Austin went to the telephone an
d called up his house at Silverside, say
ing that he'd be down that evenin
IT with a guest.
: Nina got the message just as sh
i had arranged her tables, but woman
!. born to sorrow and heiress to all tn
=, unlocked for idiocies of man.
\ Dear" she said to Eileen, the tear
Il Of uxorial vexation drying unshed l
\ her pretty eyes, "Austin has though
fit to seize upon this moment to brin
/. man down to dinner So If you ar
dressed would you kindly see that th
tables are rearranged and then telt
: phone somebody to fill in-two girls
you know? The Oldest Craig girl Nigh
: do for one. Beg her mother to let he
come"
'ssl "Whom is Austin bringing" Eilee
. asked
- HE didn't say. Can't you think Of
second girl to get? Isn't it vexing