Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-11-26

ment in the cOuntry-amid the icy tum-
BILE of the surf. on long, vigorous walks
over the greening hills where wild
moorland winds whipped like million
fairy switches till the young blood fair
ly sang, pouring through her veins.
Since that-some time within the
week-something evidently had hap
pened to him here in the city while
she had been away. What?
AS she bent above the fine linen gar
ment on her knee, needle flying. sud
lection Of her ride with Rosamund-
and instinctively her clear eyes few
open, and she raised her head, turning
directly toward him a disturbed gaze
he did not this time evade.
In silence their regard fingered; then,
satisfied, she smiled again, saying,
'Have / been away so long that we
must begin all over. Captain Selwyn?'
Begin what, EileenY
ITO remember that the silence of
selfish preoccupation is q privilege
have not accorded your
II didn't mean to be preoccupied."
"Oh, worse and worse!' She shook
her head and began to thread the nee.
die. Il see that my weeks absence
has not been very good for you.
knew it the moment you came in with
all that guilty, absentminded effrontery
which l have forbidden"
He colored up as he took her hand
In his. Then they both laughed at the
very vigorous shake.
what horribly unfriendly creature
you can be-" said Eileen. "Never 8
greeting, never even a formal expires
sion of pleasure at my return"
You have not returned" he said
smiling. You have been with me ev
1 cry moment. Eileen
"What pretty tributew she exclaim
ed. Il am beginning to recogniz,
traces of my training after ALL"
| When the children came In they lef
the nursery together and descended
the stairs to the library. Austin hat
his solitary cup of tea as they en-
tered.
"Hello, youngsters! What conspirac,
are you up to now? 1 suppose yol
shifted the tea and have come to de
prive me. By the way, Phil, hea
that you've sprung the trap ON thos
Siowitha people"
"Neergard has, I believe"
"Well, isn't it all oneT
mo, it is not" retorted Selwyn 9
bluntly that Eileen turned from tn
window at sound in his voice whicl
she had never before heard.
"Oh!' Austin stared over his sus
pended teacup, then drained it. "Trou
BILE with our friend JuliusT' he in
Quired.
mo trouble. I merely severed m.
connection with him."
"Ahi WhenT'
"This morning"
I'm that case," said Austin, laugh
ing, 1--WE job for you"
mo, old fellow, and thank you wit
all my heart. I've half made up m
mind to live on my income for awhil
and take up that chaosite matte
again."
"And blow yourself to smithereens
Why spatter nature thus!"
mo fear" said Selwyn. laughing
"And if it promises anything l ma.
come to you for advice on how to star
1t commercially"
eff it doesn't start you heavenwar
you shall have my advice from SAT
distance. I'll telegraph It," said Aus
tin. But, If it's not personal. why Of
earth have you shaken NeergardY'
| And Selwyn answered simply: e
don't like him. That Is the reason
| Austin"
! The children from the head of tn
stairs were now shouting demands 70
their father, and Austin rose, pretend
ing to grumble.
"Those COMPOUNDED kids! A man
never permitted a moment to himself
Is Nina up there, Eileen? oh, all right
Excuses, etc. I'll be back pretty soor
1 You'll stay to dine, PhilT
Il don't think So"
Yes, he will stay" said Eileen calm
j ~.