Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-03-05

''Yes, do. Don't 60 i'hlip' u'i'
90 near her.
II must"
az you do-If you eo-h-how car
you c-care for me as you say you DO
when | ask you not to-when cannon
endure to-
She turned swiftly and stared across
at Alike, and Alike, unsteady In the
flushed briIliancy Of her youthful beau
Nv. half rose In her seat and stared
back.
Instinctively the young girPs hand
frightened on Selwyn's arm. She
she il beautiful, she faltered. but be
turned and led her from the table,
following Austin, his sister and Ian
sing, and she chung to him almost con-
vulsiyely when he halted on the edge
of the lawn.
81 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, locking up at him: IF you
go-if you go--whatever time you re-
turn-no matter what hour-knock at
my door. Do you promise? ] shall be
awake. Do you prOmlseT
Eyes" he said, with trace of i'm
patience, the only hint of his anger at
the prospect Of the duty before him.
So she went away with Nina and
Austin and Boots, and Selwyn turned
back, saunterlng 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 O
chair, seated himself beside Gerald.
Boots has driven home with the
Others" he said in u low voice. I'm
going back in the motor boat with you.
Don't worry about Austin. Arc you
ready?'
The boy had evidently let the wine
alone or else fright had sobered him,
for he looked terribly white and tired.
Yes" he said, an go when you wish.
suppose they'll never forgive me for
this. Come on"
Zone moment, them" nodded Selwyn.
81 want to speak 10 Mrs. Euthven."
And. quietly turning TO Alixe and drop
ping his voice TO tone too low for
Neergard to hear, for hEsyas plainly
attempting to listen:
"You are making a mistake. Do you
understand? Whoever is your hostess,
wherever You are staying, find her and
90 there before 1t Is too late"
She inclined her pretty head thought.
fully, eyes on the wineglass which she
gas turning round and round between
her slender fingers. What do you
mean by too later" 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 i say. have not seen Jack
Ruthven for two months. Do you know
what that means? | 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 1t will be through his
attorneys"
He turned slightly paler. "Why?"
Divorce" she said, with a reckless
little laugh, "and the end of things for
me-"
"On what grounds?" he demanded
doggedly. "Does he threaten your
She made no movement or reply, re-
clining 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-neyer mind who. 1t is
not true, but he cares nothing about
that either You see" and she bent
nearer confidentially, with a 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 stoppingT'
aboard the Niobrara."
as Mrs. Fame guest there too?"
He spoke loud enough for Rosamund
to hear, and she answered for herself,
with q smile at him brimful of malice:
Delighted to have you come aboard.
Captain Selwyn. Is that what you are
asking permission to dO2'
Thanks" he returned dryly. and to
Alike, IF you are ready, Gerald and
will take you over 10 the Niobrara
in the motor boat"
ooh, no, you won'tr' broke in Neer-
gard, with a sneer. you'll mind your
own business, my intrusive friend, and
I'll take care of my guests without
your assistance"
Selwyn appeared not to hear him
"Come on, Gerald" he said pleasantly:
"Mrs. Ruthven is going over to the
For Gods sake" whispered Gerald.
white as a sheet, don't force me into
trouble with Neergard."
Selwyn turned on him an astonished
gaze. "Are you afraid Of that whelp?"
"Yes," muttered the boy. I'LL cx-
plain later. but don't force things now.