The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-03-25

think you'd care.
Mrs. Fame. as u
long as II makes "Hhcrs Is the adorable
good story" EiicenT
Rosamund flushed. then. always ally'
TO hnmor. laughed frankly.
What nasty thing to say 10 a .wo
manr' she observed. 1T fairly reek'
impertlnence Mr., Lansing. you dom
like me very well. do your
Il dare not" he said, because yor
are married. II you were only free, q
vinculo matrimonii"
Rosamund laughed again and sal
stroking her muff and smiling. Curl
Gus. isn't It." she said TO Nina, ''the In
born antipathy OF two agreeable hu.
man bIpeds for one anotherr And
again to Nina; Dear, have you heard
anything about Alike Ruthveny think
II Is the strangest thing that nobody
seems to know where she is. And all
anybody can get out of Jack is that
she's In nerve factory or some such
retreat and perfect wreck. She might
as well be dead, you know"
'In that case" observed Lansing, ut
might be best to shift the center OF
gossip De mortus nil nlsi bonum,
which is simple enough for any body
TO comprehend"
"That is rude, Mr.. lansing" flashed
out Rosamund. and 10 his astonishment
he saw the tears start to her eyes.
u beg your pardon" he said sulkily.
"You do well to. care more for
Alike Ruthven than--than you give me
credit for caring about anybody. Peo-
pie are never wholly worthless, Mr..
Lansing-only the very young think
that"
Boots said respectfully: II am sorry
for what | said, Mrs. Fame. hope
that your friend Mrs. Ruthyen will
soon recover"
Rosamund looked at Ninn, the teurs
still trimming her lids. Il miss her
frightfully," she said. IF somebody
would only tell me where she is-I-I
know 1t could do no harm for me to
see her | can be as gentle and loyal
as anybody l really care for a
person. Do you know where she might
be, Ninaf"
II? No. / do not. I'd tell you II ]
did, ,Rosamund."
Don't you know?" 4
"why, no." said Nina. surprised at
her persistence.
Because" continued Rosamund,
"your brother does"
Nina Strengthened up. flushed and
astonished.
"Why do you say that?" she asked.
because he does know. He sent her
to Clifton. The maid who accompanied
her Is In my service now. It's low
way Of finding out things, but we all
do It."
"He-sent Alike toto Clifton" re.
peated Nina incredulously. "Your maid
told you thati"
Rosamund finished the contents Of
her slim glass and rose. ayes, and II
was brave and generous and loyal
thing for him to do. ! care for Alike,
and l honor your brother for what be
did"
She stood with pretty golden head
bent absently arranging the sables
around her neck and shoulders.
II have been very horrid to Captain
6elwyn," she said quietly. "rell him
! am sorry, that be has my respect.
And-if be cares to tell me where
Alike is l shall be grateful and do no
harm"
Good night" said Boots to Nina.
Then be took Rosamund down to her
brougham with silent formality that
touched her present sentimental mood.
She leaned from her carriage win.
dow, looking at him where he stood.
hat In hand. in the thickly falling
snow.
Please without ceremony, Mr.. Ian.
sing" and AZ be covered himself,
May I MT drop you at your destina.
toni"
Thank YOU" In refusal.
Il thank you for being nice to me-
Please believe there Is often less malice
than perversity In me. IL have
heart, Mr.. Lansing such ms II is. And
often those torment most care for
most. It was 80 with Alike. Good
py."
Boots salute was admirably formal.
Then he went on through the thicken-
ing snow. swung vigorously across the
avenue to the park wall and. turning
,outb, continued on parallel 10 II under
he naked trees.
Now be began 10 understand some
hing OF the strange effacemen OF his
friend selwyn- He began TO cornpre-
he continued absence from club and
,otefie. the choice Of the sordid lodg
ng whittier Boots. one night. seeing
him on the street By chance. had
tracked him. with no en-
use for the intrusion save bis affec-
ion for this man and his secret doubts
II the mans ability TO take care of
himself and bis occult affairs
into the doorway Of seiwyn's iodg
ngs Lansing turned. When the town
vas young n Lansing had lived
here IN pomp and circumstance bis
'wn greatgrsndfather aud be smiled
,rimly. amused NJ the irony Of things
er~sttlaL
A slstiern At the door halted him
Nobody amt let ~ them stairs
Without my KNOWN why" she mum |,
led
u vsn, 10 see Captain seiwyn." he
xuIsintsi