The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-03-17

his winter schedule, and when Nina
opened her house, returning from Len.
OK with Eileen to do so, she found that
Selwyn had made his own arrange
ments for the winter and that, accord
ing to the programme, neither she nor
anybody else was likely to see him
oftener than one evening in a week.
To Boots she complained bitterly,
having had visions Of Selwyn and Ger
aid as permanent fixtures of family
support during the season now immi-
nent.
~ cannot understand" she said
"why Philip is acting this way. He
need not work like that There is no
necessity, because he has a comforta-
BILE income. If he is determined to
maintain a stuffy apartment some
where, Of course won't insist on his
coming to us, as he ought to, but to
abandon US in this manner makes me
almost Indignant Besides, it's having
anything but salutary effect on FL
leen."
"What effect is 1t having on Eileen?'
inquired Boots curiously.
ooh, 1 don't know" said Nina, com
ing perilously close to a pout, "but l
see symptoms-indeed, do, Boots
symptoms of shirking the winters rou-
tine. It's to be gay season, too, and
it's only her second. The idea of a
child Of that age informing me that
she's had enough of the purely social
phases Of this planet! Boots, I've given
up all hopes of that brother of mine for
her, but she could marry anybody If
she chose-anybody-and she could
twist the entire social circus into a
court Of her own and dominate every
thing. 1 don't know what to do with
once a week for an hour or two, which
is nothing-and the child misses him.
There, the murder is out! Eileen misses
him. What to do about 1t don't know
Boots, don't know"
Lansing had ceased laughing. He had
been indulging in tea-a shy vice of
his which led him to haunt houses
where that out Of fashion beverage
might still be had. And now he sat.
cup suspended, saucer held meekly
against his chest, gazing out at the
pelting snowfakes.
"Boots, DEAR" said Nina. who adored
him, "tell me what to do. Tell me
what has gone amiss between my
brother and Eileen. Something has
And whatever 1t Is 1t began last an.
tumn-that day when-you remember
the incident?"
Boots nodded.
"Well, it seemed to upset everybody
somehow. Philip left the next day.
Do you remember? And Eileen has
never been quite the same. OF course
l don't ascribe it to that unpleasant
episode-even young girl gets over a
shock in day. But the-the change
or whatever it is-dated from that
night. They, Philip and Eileen, had
been inseparable. 1t was good for
them-for her too. And as for Phil
why, he looked about twenty-one!
Boots, II had hoped-expected-a
was right! They were on the verge
of it,"
Il think so too," he said. Hello!
Somebody's coming, and Pm off,
"I'm not at home; don't go!' said
Nina, laying one hand ON his arm to
detain him as card was brought up
"Oh, it's only Rosamund Fame! l did
promise to go to the Craigs' with her.
Do you mind if she comes up?"
mot if you don't" said Boots bland
ly. He could not endure Rosamund
and she detested him, and Nina, who
was perfectly aware of this, had just
enough of perversity in her to enjoy
their meeting.
Rosamund came in breezily, sables
powdered with tiny fiecks of snow,
cheeks like damask roses, eyes of tur-
quoise.
"HOw dye dow she nodded, greeting
Boots askance as she closed with Nina
Il came, you see, but do you want to
be jammed and mauled and trodden on
at the Craigs'? No? That's perfect!
Neither do l. Where is the adorable
Eileen? Nobody sees her any more"
"She was at the Delmour- Carnes' yes
terday"
"Was she? Curious didn't see her
They say" she said, smiling, "that
some very heavy
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yours, Mr.. Ian SNS>F