The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-02-24

wyn's eyes, flashing to him a message
Of purest loyalty, and his silent gaze in
response sent the color flying to her
cheeks.
II was all very well for awhile, a
brave, sweet effort, but ears could not
remain deaf to the increasing noise and
laughter, to familiar voices, half caught
phrases, indiscreet even In the frag.
ments understood. Besides, Gerald had
seen them, and the boys face had be-
come almost ghastly.
Alike, unusually flushed, was con.
Quoting herself without restraint. Neer-
CARDS snickering laugh grew more sig
nificant and persistent. Even Rosa
mund spoke too loudly at moments,
and once she looked around at Nina
and Selwyn while her pretty, accent
less laughter, ripping with Its under
tone Of malice, became more frequent
In the increasing tumult.
There was no use in making a pre-
tense Of further gayety. Austin had
begun to scowl again. Nina, with one
shocked glance at Alike, leaned over
toward her brother:
'It is incredibler' she murmured.
"she must be perfectly mad to make
such an exhibition of herself. Cant
anybody stop her? Can't anybody send
her homer
Austin said sullenly, but distinctly:
''The thing for us to do is to get out.
Nina, IL you are ready
"But-but what about Geraldi" fal-
tered Eileen, turning piteously to Sell
wyn. I'VE can't leave hlm-therew
The man Strengthened up and turned
his drawn face toward her:
"Do you wish me to get himT
"Y-you can't do that, can your
Eyes, I can. II you wish It Do you
think there 10 anything In the world !
can't do, II you wish 1T"
As he rose she laid her hand on his
arm.
IL don't ask IT, she began.
You do not have to ask It," ho said,
with a smile almost genuine. "Austln,
I'm going to get Gerald, and Nina will
explain to you that he's to be left to
me II any sermon 10 required. I'll go
back with him In the motor boat
Boots, you'll drive home In my place"
AS he turned, still smiling and self
possessed, Eileen whispered rapidly:
Don't 60. I care for you too much
to ask it"
He said under his breath, Dearest,
you cannot understand"
"Yes. do! Don't 60. Philip, don't
go near her."
II must"
"If you do-if you go-h-how can
you c-care for me as you say you do,
when I ask you not to-when cannot
endure to-
She turned swiftly and stared across
at Alike, and Alike, unsteady in the
flushed brilliancy of her youthful beau.
ty, half rose In her seat and stared
back.
Instinctively the young girls hand
tightened on Selwyn's arm. "She-
she is beautiful" she faltered, but he
turned and led her from the table
following Austin, his sister and Ian
sing, and she chung to him almost con
vulsively when he halted on the edge
of the lawn.
II must go back" he whispered
dearest, dearest, must"
''T-to Gerald or herr"
But he only muttered: "They don't
know what they're doing. Let me go
Eileen"-gently detaching her fingers
which left her hands lying in both OF
his.
She said, looking up at him: "If you
go-if you go-whatever time you re-
turn-no matter what hour-knock al
my door. Do you promise? shall be
awake. Do you promise7'
"Yes," he said, with trace of i'm
patience, the only hint of his anger al
the prospect of the duty before him.
So she went away with Nina and
Austin and Boots, and Selwyn turned
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 a 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 trifie 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. "I'm
going back in the motor boat with you
Don't worry about Austin. Are you
readyT
The boy had evidently let the wine
alone or else fright had sobered him
for he looked terribly white and tired
''Yes," he said, "T'll go when you wish
suppose they'll never forgive me for
this. Come on.'
"One moment, then," nodded Selwyn.
II want to speak to Mrs. Ruthven."
And, quietly turning to Alike and drop
ping his voice to a 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