The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-03-18


"A man like me. Eileen? Well II !
were worth listening to no doubt he'd
listen. But the fact remains that
have not been able TO hold his inter
| est"
Don't give him up" she said, still
looking straight into his eyes. IF you
| care for me, don't '-!vc him up
Care for you. Eileen! You know
| do"
"Yes, know It, So you will not
give mp Gerald. will you? He isis
only boy You know that. You
know he has bcen-perhaps-indi
But Gerald Is only boy. Stand by
him, Captain Selwyn, because Austin
does not know how to manage him
really he doesn't. There has been an
other unpleasant scene between them
Gerald told me-"
did he tell you why. Eileen"
"Yes. He told me that he had play
ed cards for money and he was in
debt. I know that sounds almost dis
graceful. but is not his need Of help
all the greater?"
Selwyn's eyes suddenly narrowed
Ibid you help him out this time?'
"I-I-how do you mean, Captain
Selwyn?" But the splendid color in
her face confirmed his certainty that
she had used her own resources to
help her brother pay the gambling
debt, and he turned away his eyes
angry and silent
YES" she said under her breath. ~
did aid him. What Of It.? Could | re-
! fuse?'
81 know. Don't aid him again-that
way"
She stared. "You mean
"Send him to me. child. I under
stand such matters THAT is And
| in sudden evaporation ineXplicablc.
for the moment. to them both: Don't
touch such matters again! They soil,
l tell you. l will not have Gerald go
J to you about such things"
"My own brother! What do you
mean?"
II mean that. brother or not, he
shall not bring such matters near
you"
"Am I to count for nothing. then,
when Gerald is in trouble?" she de-
manded, flushing up.
"Count! Countr he repeated impa-
tiently. "of course you count! Good
heavens It's women like you who
count, and no others-not one single
other sort is OF the slightest conse-
Quence in the world or TO It,"
She had turned a little pale under
his vehemence, watching him out OF
wide and beautiful eyes.
What she understood, how much OF
his incoherence she was able TO trans
late, is a question, but in his eyes and
voice there was something simpler to
divine, and she stood very still while
his reused emotions swept her till her
heart leaped up and every vein in her
ran fiery pride.
Il am-overwhelmed. | did not con
slider that l counted-so vitally-in the
scheme Of things. But | must try to
If you believe all this OF me, only you
must teach me how TO count for some
thing In the world. Will you?"
Teach you. Eileen. What winning
mockery! teach you? Well, then,
teach you thls-that n mans bunder is
best healed by mans sympathy.
will stand by Gerald as long as he
will let me do so, not alone for your
sake nor only for his, but for my own.
promise you that Are you con-
tentedI'
Yes"
She slowly raised one hand, laying 1t
| fearlessly In both Of his.
"de is all l have left" she said.
"You know that"
81 know. child"
''Then, thank you, Captain Selwyn."
''No; l thank you for giving me this
charge. 1t means that a man must
raise his own standard Of living before
he can accept such responsibility. You
endow me with all that a man ought to
be, and NY task Is doubled for it Is
not only Gerald. but | myself who re-
quire surveillance"
He looked up, smilingly serious.
'Such women us you alone can tit your
brother and me for an endless guard
| uulA bNtI Tue Nnllt SldnudIu you nave
planted on the outer walls of the
world
"You say things to me-sometimes"-
she faltered, that almost hurt with
the pleasure they give
"Did that give you pleasure"
"Y-yes; the surprise Of il was almost
too-too keen. | wish you would not
but l am glad you did. You see"-drop-
ping into great velvet chalr--"having
been Of no serious consequence to any
body for so many years-to be told
suddenly that that | count so vltally
with men-a man Ike you
She sank back, drew one small hand
across her eyes and rested a moment;
then, leaning forward, she set her ell
bow on one knee and bracketed her
chin between forehnger and thumb.
"Ive not had you to talk to for a
whole week" she said, "and youll let
me, won't youY ! can't help 1t any
way, because ms soon as | see you
crack--a million thoughts wake up In
me and elipper-clapper goes my tongue.