Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-11-14
Younger Set
81
By ROBERT w. CHAMBERS
Author Of THE Fighting Chance" Etc
Copyright. 1907. by Robert W. Chambers
q e q q q g 1.

world should really deem her so love-
ly.
"A red headed girl" she said teas
ipgly. 81 thought you had better taste
than-than"-
''Than to think you a raving beau
tyr
"Oh," she said. "you don't think
THAR
AS matter of fact he himself had
become aware of it so suddenly that
he had no time to think very much
about It, 1t was rather strange, too,
that he had not always been aware
of 1t, or was it partly the mellow
light from the lamp tinting her till
she glowed and shimmered like a
young sorceress, sitting so straight
there in her turquoise silk and misty
lace?
When Drina had gone to bed Boots
also took his leave, and Selwyn rose,
too. troubled, careworn expression
replacing the careless gayety which
had made him seem so young in Miss
Erroll's youthful eyes.
WAIT. Boots" he said. I'm going
home with you" And to Eileen, al
most absently: Good night. I'm SO
very glad you are well again"
Good night" she said. looking I'D at
him. The faintest sense of disappoint-
ment came over her-at what she did
not know. Was it because in his COM
pletely altered face she realized the
instant and easy detachment from her
self and what concerned her? Was II
because other people. like Mr.. Lansing
other interests, like those which sc
plainly In his face betrayed his preoc-
cupation-had so easily replaced an in.
timacy which had seemed to grow new.
er and more delightful with every
meeting?
What was it. then, that he found
more interesting. more important, than
their friendship, their companionship.
Was she never to grow old enough OF
wise enough or experienced enough tc
exact - without exacting = his para
mount consideration and interest
Was there no common level of menta
equality where they could meet-where
terminate of interviews might be mu
tual, might be fairer to her?
Now he-went away, utterly detached
from her and what concerned her, tt
seek other interests of which she knew
nothing: absorbed in them to her ut
ter exclusion. leaving her here will
the long evening before her and moth
Ing to do, because her eyes were no
yet strong enough to use for reading.
Lansing was saying. ''Ill drive as IA
as the club with you, and then you car
drop me and come back later"
Right. my son. I'll finish a lettel
and then come back"
Cant you write 1t at the club?"
mot that letter." he replied in low
voice and. turning to Eileen, smiled
his absent, detached smile, Offering hi
hand.
But she lay back, looking straight VI
at him.
Are you going?'
Eyes l have severai'-
"Stay with me-" she said In q Low
voice
For moment the words meant moth
ing; then blank surprise silenced him
followed by curiosity
.'Is there something you wished t
tell me?' he asked.
| \ "N-no."
His perplexity and surprise grew
"Wait a second. Boots" he said. An
Mr.. Lansing. being fairly intelligen
young man, went out and down til
stairway.
"Now." he said too kindly. too soott
1ngly. what is it. Eileen?"
| Nothing. / thought-but / don
care. Please go. Captain Selwyn"
mo, shall not until you tell m
what troubles you"
II can't"
TRY. Eileen"
"Why. it Is nothing. truly it is moth
ing. Only l vast Is SO early-only
| quarter past g."
He stood there looking down at hel
striving to understand.
THAT is ALL" she said, flushing
trifle. 81 can't read. and can't sew
and there's nobody here. don't mea
to bother you
"Child," he exclaimed, do you war
me to stay?"
Yes" she said. "Will your
He walked swiftly to the landin
outside and looked down.
Boots" he called ip low voic,
I'm not going home yet. Don't wa
for me at the Lenox."
! "All right" returned Mr.. Lansin
cheerfully. A moment later the fror
door closed below. Then Selwyn cam
back into the library.
For an hour he sat there telling he
the gayest stories and talking the mos
delightful nonsense, alternating wit