Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-10

back, sauntering quietly toward the
table where already the occupants had
apparently forgotten him and the cpl
sode in the riotous gayety increasing
with the accession of half dozen
more men.
When Selwyn approached, Neergard
saw him first, stared at him and snick-
cred, but he greeted everybody with
smiling composure, nodding to those
he knew, a trife more formally to
Mrs. Ruthven, and. coolly pulling up a
chair, seated himself beside Gerald.
Boots has driven home with the
Others" he said in low voice. 'Im
going back in the motor boat with you.
Don't worry about Austin. Are you
ready?"
The boy had evidently let the wine
alone or else fright had sobered him,
for he looked terribly white and tired.
EYES," he said, "I'll go when you wish.
I suppose they'll never forgive me for
this Come on
zone moment, then" nodded Selwyn.
ct want to speak to Mrs. Ruthven."
And, quietly turning to Alike and drop
ping his voice to u tone too low for
Neergard to hear. for he was plainly
attempting to listen:
you are making mistake. Do you
understand? Whoever is your hostess,
wherever you are staying, find her and
go there before it is too late"
She inclined her pretty head thought
fully, eyes on the wineglass which she
was turning round and round between
her slender fingers. what do you
mean by too late?'" she asked Don't
you know that everything is too late
for me now?"
What do you mean. Alixe?" he re
turned, watching her intently.
what say. l have not seen Jack
Ruthven for two months. Do you know
what that means? I have not heard
| from him for two months. Do you
| know what that means? No? Well, I'll
! tell You, Philip. 1t means that when
| do hear from him it will be through his
attorneys"
He turned Slightly paler. "Whyw
| divorce" she said, with n reckless
little laugh, land the end of things for
me-"
'On what grounds?" he demanded
/ doggedly. Docs he threaten your"
She made no movement or reply, re-
Ginning there, one hand on her Wine
! glass, the smile still curving her lips.
And he repeated his question in low,
distinct voice, too low for Neergard to
hear, and he was still listening
Grounds? oh, he thinks I've mis-.
behaved with-ncver mind who. 1t is
not true, but he cares nothing about
that either. You see" and she bent
nearer confidentially, with n mysteri
Gus little nod of her pretty head-"you
see, Jack Ruthven is little insane
You are surprised? Pooh! I've sus
pected it for months"
He stared at her. Then, Where
are you stOpping"
aboard the Niobrara"
ais Mrs Fame guest there too?"
He spoke loud enough for Rosamunt
to hear, and she answered for herself
with a smile at him brimful of malice
'.Delighted to have you come aboard
Captain Seiwyn. Is that what you ar,
asking permission to do?'
Thanks" he returned dryly, and Il
Alike, IF you are ready, Gerald anC
will take you ovef 10 the Niobrar:
in the motor boat"
ooh, no. you won'tv' broke in Neer
gard, with sneer- you'll mind you
, own business, my intrusive friend, ant
I'll take care of my guests withou
your assistance"
IL l.,
"Come on, Gerald" he said pleasantly
!. "Mrs Ruthven is going over to tn
Niobrara"-
I "For Gods sake" whispered Gerald
A: white as a sheet, don't force me int
1 trouble with Neergard"
Selwyn turned on him an astonishe'
!, gaze "Are you afraid of that whelp?
YES" muttered the boy. It'll eS
t plain later but don't force things now
1 beg you"
Mrs. Ruthven coolly leaned over an
n spoke to Gerald in a low voice; the
to Selwyn she said, with a smile: eros
L amund and l are going to Brookmir
ster anyway, so you and Gerald nee
s not wait. And thank you for comm
e over. 1t was rather nice of you"-sh
J. glanced insolently at Neergard-"cor
sidering the crowd we're with. Goo
night, Captain SeIwyn. Good nigh
Gerald. So very jolly to have seen 20
= again" And under her breath to Sc
e wyn: You need not worry. / am 6,
e. ing in a moment. Goodby, and-than
i you. Phil. 1t is good to see somebod
J. Of ones own caste again"
'e A few moments later Selwyn an
Gerald In their oilskins were dashin
j. eastward along the coast in the swift
est motor boat south of the Narrows.
The boy seemed deathly tired c
t they crossed the dim lawn at Silve
o. side. Once on the veranda steps
5. stumbled, and Selwyn's arm sustaine
ol him, but the older man forbore
question him, and Gerald, tight lippe
~ and haggard, offered no confidence III
E. til at the door Of his bedroom he tur1
at ed and laid an unsteady hand on Sc
De wyn's shoulder and said: 81 am in
very bad fix. I want to talk with ye
n tomorrow. May IF'
at ''You know you may, Gerald. a
Fl ALWAYS ready to stand YOUR friend"