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

II never dreamed" she began-''the
child has never spoken of-of her
from that time to this! L never dream
ed she could remember
/ II don't understand what you are
talking about, MOTHER said Drina.
but her pretty mother caught her by
the shoulders. striving to speak light
~. Where in the world is Bridget,
/ child? Where is Katie? And what is
all this l hear from Dawson? 1t can't
| be possible that you have been fox
hunting all over the house again!
Your nurses know perfectly well that
you are not to hunt anywhere except
| in your own nursery. Such house
hold. Phil! Everybody incompetent.
| including me: everything topsy turvy.
and all FIVE dogs perfectly possessed to
lie on that pink rug in the music room.
| Have they been there today. Drina.
while you were ,practicing:"
| Yes. and there are some new spots.
mother I'm very sorry
| "Take the children away" said Mrs.
| Gerard to the nurses. She bent over,
kissing each culprit as the file passed
| out. What do you think Of them?
You never before saw the three young
| est. You saw Drina when you went
east. and Billy was a few months old.
| What do you. thing of them? Honestly.
Phil"
| "All to the good. Ninette: very orna-
mental. Drina and that Josephine
kid are real beauties I-er-take to
| Billy tremendously. He told me that
he'd locked up his nurses. | ought TO
! have interfered. 1t was really my
fault. you see'
And you didn't make him let them
out? You are not going to be very
| good morally for my young. Tell me.
| Phil. have you seen Austin?'
| 81 went TO the trust company. but
| he was attending directors confab
| How is he? He's prosperous anyhow.
| / observe" with humorous glance
around the elaborate hallway which
| they were traversinG.
Don't dare laugh at u.s." smiled his
| sister. Il wish we were back in Tenth
street. But so many children came
Billy. Josephine. Winthrop and Tina
! and the Tenth street house wasn't half
| big enough. and Il dreadful snecula-
tive builder built this house and per-
| suaded Austin to buy it. You're going
| to STAY here"
NO: I'm at the Holland"
"Of course you're to live with us.
| You've resigned from the service,
haven't you?"
He looked at her sharply. but did not
reply
curious flash of teepathy passed
between them. She hesitated: then:
| You once promised Austin and me
that you would stay with u.s.
| But. Nina
"No. no, no. Wait" pressing an eiec-
| trio button. Watson. Captain Seiwyn's
luggage is to be brought here immedi.
atey from the Holland! Immediate
| ly"' And to Selwyn: Austin will not
be at home before half past 6. Come
up with me now and see your quar-
tiers, perfectly charming place for
you. with your own smoking room and
dressing closet and bath. Wait, we'll
take the elevator-as long as we have
one"
SmiIingly protesting, yet touched by
the und;sguised sincerity Of his well
come, he suffered himself to be led
into the elevator-a dainty white and
rose rocco affair. His sister adjusted
a tiny lever; the car moved smoothly
upward and presently stopped, and
they emerged upon wide landing.
} Here" said Nina, throwing open a
door. Isn't this comfortable? Is there
anything you don't fancy about it? If
there is, tell me frankly"
I Little sister," he said, imprisoning
|; both her hands. lit is a paradise, but
L don't intend to come here and squat
on my relatives, and 1 won't.'
= Philip, You are common
'Oh, l know you and Austin think
you want me-"
!, "Phil,''
'.Au right, dear. Ill-it's awfully
generous of you-so I'll pay you visit
tor little while. You are very kind,
Ninette." He sat partly turned from
her, staring at the sunny window.
Presently he slid his hand back along
the bed covers until 1t touched and
frightened over hers. And in silence
/. she raised it to- her lips.
They remained so for awhile, he still
partly turned from her, his perplexed
and narrowing gaze fixed on the win.
dow, she pressing his clinched hand
to her lips, thoughtful and silent
! Before Austin comes,' he said al
length, lets get the thing over and
buried as long as it will stay buried"
l. L. - 4