Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-01-22

intensely annoyed. although Rosamund
had not told her all that she had sc
kindly and gratuitOusly denied con-
corning her relations with Selwyn. 1T
was sheer effrontery Of you, Rosa
mund, to put such notions into Inc
head of child and stir her up into
taking fictitious interest In Phiiip
Selwyn which | know which Is per-
fectly plain to me. to anybody-never
existed"
"Of course it existed" retorted Rosa
mund, delighted now to worry Alike.
"She didn't know 1t; that Is all. 1t
really was simple charity to wake her
up. IT'S a good match, too, and so OBJ
yiously and naturally inevitable that
there's no harm in playing prophecies.
There is the youthful brother OF our
red haired novice now. He sees u.s.
and he's coming to indict himself with
another moon faced creature. Shall we
bolt?"
Alike turned and stared ct Gerald,
who came up boyishly red and mi
petlous.
"How dye do. Mrs. Ruthven? Did
you get my note? How dye do MIS-
Fame? AwSlly jolly to collide this
way. Would you mind if"-
"You." interrupted Rosamund' "ougnt
TO be downtown unless you've con-
cluded to retire and let Wall street 60
to smash. What are you pretending
to do in Sherry's at this hour, you
very dreadful infaDt?"
give been lunching with Mr.. Ncer'
gard, and would you mind
"Yes, would" began Rosamund
promptly. But Alike interrupted
Bring him over. Gerald" And as
the bow thanked her and turned back
ave q word to administer to that
boy, Rosamund, so attack the Neer'
gard creature with moderation. please
You owe me that at least Here he Is
now, and don't be impossible ano
brighten him. Rosamund."
The presentation of Neergard was
accomplished without disaster to any
body. On his thin nose the dew glis
tened, and his thick. fat hands we're
hot But Rosamund was. too bored &c
be rude to him. and Alike turned I'M
mediately to Gerald:
"Yes, did get your note. but am
not at home on Tuesday. Can't you
come Wait moment. What are yor
doing this afternoons?
"Why, I'm going back to the Office
with Mr.. Neergard."
Nonsense. On, Mr. Neergard. would
you mind"-very sweetly-"if MIR. Err
roll did not 60 to the Office this after
noon?"
Neergard looked at her-almost-a
fixed and uncomfortable smirk on his
round. red face, "Not at all. Mrs
Ruthven, If you have anything better
for him
81 have-an allopathic dose of 1t
Thank you, Mr.. Neergard. Rosamund
we ought to start, you know. Gerald.
with quiet significance. "Goodby MIR
Neergard. Please do not buy up the
rest of Long Island. because we neec
a new kitchen garden very badly.
Mrs. Ruthven's motor moved uI
from it's waiting station. Rosamunt
was quite ready to enter when Alike
said cordially: where can we droT
you. dear? Do let us take you to the
exchange if you are going there
Now, Rosamund had meant to 70
wherever they were going merely be
cause they evidently wished to bt
alone. The abruptness of the check
both irritated and amused her.
eff knew anybody in the Bronx I'd
make you take me there" she said
sindictively, "but as | don't you may
drop me at the Orchils', you uncivil
creatures. Gerald, | know you want
me anyway. because you've promised
to adore, honor and obey me. Ii you'll
come with me now I'll play double
dummy with you. No? Well. OF all
ingratitude!"
And she smiled dazzlingly upon Ger
aid, then turned up her pretty nose at
him, but permitted him to attend her
to the Orchils' door.
When he returned to Alike and the
car was speeding parkward he began
again eagerly:
70
course, let you know, as ! promised !
would. But it's all right, Mrs. Ruth
ven, because Jack said the stakes VIII
not be high this time"
"You accepted" demanded Alike in
quick displeasure.
"Why. yes. as the stakes are not to
amount to anything"
"Gerald!'
"What?" he said uneasily.
"You promised me that you would
not play again in my house"
81 said for more than I could af-
ford"
mo; you said you would not play.
That is what you promised, Gerald"
"Well, | meant for high stakes. l.
well. you don't want to drive me out
altogether, even from the perfectly
harmless pleasure of playing for nomi-
nal stakes"
Eyes, | d."
"W-why?" asked the boy in hurt sur
prise.
Because it is dangerous sport Ger
AID"
"What! TO play for a few cents a
point"
"Yes, to play for anything. And as
far as that goes there will be no such
play as you imagine"
"Yes, there will beg your pardon
but Jack Ruthven said So"
l.