The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-04-01

]
ready for them until they can nnd .
place ~ their own of course they n
both come here. In faci, their nggag,
Is upstairs now, Boots takes the blue
RON aud Phil his old quarters Hut
don't you think II Is perfectly sweet Of
Bootsi And Isn't u good TO have PhilIr
back againy'
Yes" said Mlcen family.
Nina laid cool, smooth hand across
her forehead. pushing back the hair, a
light carss sensitive as an unasked
question.
But there was no response. and pres
entity the elder woman rose and wen,
out along the landing. aud Eileen
heard her laughingiy greeting Boots.
who had arrived pos,haste on learning
that Drina was indisposcd,
Don't he frightened. The little
wretch carried tons OF indigcstible
stu- TO her room and sat up half the
night eating II. Where's Philipf"
Il don't know. Here's special dc.
livery for him. signed for II aud
brought II from the house, He'll BE-
here from the Hook soon. fancy"
Half an hour later Drina was asleep.
holding fast to Boots sleeve, and that
young gentleman sat In a chair beside
her discussing with her pretty mother
the plans made for Gladys and Gerald
on their expected arrival.
Eileen. pale and heavy lidded, looked
In on her way TO some afternoon nf.
fair noddlng unsmiling at Boots.
"Haye you been riiiing the pantry,
toor be whispered, you lack your
usual chromatic symphony"
mo. I'm just very tired. II |
wasn't physically afraid Of Drina I'd
get You TO run or with me-anywhere.
What is that letter. Nlnaf For me7'
TITS for Phil. Boots brought II
around. Leave II on the library table,
dear, when you so down"
Eileen took the letter and turned
away. A few moments later as she
laid II on the library table her eyes
involuntarily noted the superscription
written In the long, angular. fashiona-
BILE writing OF woman.
And slowly the inevitable question
took shape within her.
How long she stood there she did
not know, but the points Of her gloved
fingers were still resting on the table
and her gaze was still concentrated on
the envelope when she felt Selwyn's
presence In the room, near, close, and
looked up into his steady eyes-and
knew he loved her.
And suddenly she broke down, for
with bis deep gaze In hers the over
wrought specter had fed.
what IL itf' he made out TO say,
managing also to keep his hands of
her where she sat, bowed and culver.
ing by the table.
"N-nothing-a little crisis-over
over. II was that letter
other women writing you-and I--out.
lawed-tongue tied. Don't look at me;
don't wait. II am going out"
He went TO the window, stood mo
ment came back to the table, took his
letter and walked slowly again to the
window.
After awhile he heard the rustic OF
her gown as she left the room, and
little later he Strengthened up, passed
bis hand across his tired eyes and,
looking down at the letter In bis hand,
broke the seal.
II was from one OF the nurses, Miss
Casson, and shorter than usual;
Mrs. Ruthven IL physically In per
'ect health, but yesterday we noted n
'ather startling change In her mental
condition. There were during the day
intervals that seemed perfectly lucid.
Once she spoke OF Miss Bond as the
,ther nurse as though she realized
Of the conditions surround
ng her. Once, too, she seemed aston
shed when brought her doll and
lsked me. Is there child here, or is
I for charity bazaarr
Later ] found her writing a letter
t my desk. She left 1t unfinished
when she went to drive, a mere scrap
thought 1t best to inclose It, which !
10 herewith"
The incloscd he opened:
"Phil, dear, though have been very
II, know you are my own husband.
All the rest was only child's dream
II terror"
And that was all, only this scrap,
irmly written In the easy flowing hand
be knew 30 well. He studied 1t for o
or two, then resumed Miss
casson's letter:
"A man stopped our sleigh yester.
lay, asking II he wns not speaking to
Mrs. Ruthven. was trif1e worried
ind replied that any communication
or Mrs. Ruthven could be sent to me.
THAT evening two men-g gentlemen
to the house and
lsked for me. went down TO receive
hem. One was q DR.. Madison; the
,thcr said his name was Thomas B.
Iallam, but gave no business address.
when found that they had come
Without your knowledge and authority
refused to discuss Mrs. Ruthyen's
ondition. and the one who said his
lame was Hallam spoke rather per.
and In way that made me
hink he might be lawyer.
"Tbey got nothing out Of me, and
hoy loft Whan I ruada n piuin that I