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

Gerald In the early days Of an affair
with Gladys and before even It had as
sumed the proportions Of an affair had
shyly come to Selwyn, not for confes-
sion, but with the crafty purpose Of
introducing her name into the conver-
sation so that he might have the lux
ury Of talking about her to somebody
who would neither quiz him nor sus-
pect him.
Selwyn, of course, ultimately sus-
pected him, but as he never quizzed
him Gerald continued his elaborate
system of subterfuges to make her
personality and doings topic for him
to expand upon and Selwyn to listen
to.
1t had amused Selwyn. He thought
of 1t nova gay memory like ray OF
light flung for a moment across the
somber background Of his own sad
ness. Fortunate or unfortunate, Ger
aid was still lucky in his freedom to
hazard it with chance and fate. Sell
wyn's dull eyes rested upon the ashes
Of the FIRE, and he saw his dead youth
among them and in the flames his
maturity burning to embers.
If he outlived Alike his life would lie
as the ashes lay at his feet II she out
lived him-and they had told him
there was every chance Of it-at least
he would have something to busy him
self with in life II he was to leave her
provided for when he was no longer
there to stand between her and cbari-
ty. As he lay there in his chair. the
unlighted pipe dropping in his hands,
the telephone ON the desk rang, and
he rose and unlocked the receiver.
Drina's voice sounded afar. and
Hello, sweetheart" he said gayly. "Is
there anything I can do for your
youthful highnessT
"I've been talking over the phone to
Boots" she said. "You know, when
ever I have nothing to do I call up
Boots at his office and talk to him."
"That must please him." suggested
Selwyn gravely.
"It does. Boots says you are not
going to business today. 30 I thought
I'd call you up"
''Thank you," said Selwyn.
"You are welcome. What are you
doing over there in Boots houseT
Looking at the fire, Drina, and lis
tening to the purring Of three fat tabby
cats"
"Oh, mother and Eileen have gone
somewhere. l haven't anything to do
for an hour. Can't you come aroundf"
"Why. yes. If you want me-"
Eyes. I do. OF course I can't have
Boots. and prefer you next"
The child was glad to see him and
expressed herself so, coming across to
the chair where he sat and leaning
against him, one arm on his shoulder.
do you know" she said, "that l
miss you ever so much? Do you know
also that am nearly fourteen and
that there is nobody in this house near
enough my age to be very companion.
able2 Uncle Philip. mother has for
hidden me, and I'll tell her and take
my punishment, but would you mind
telling me how you first met my Aunt
Alixe?"
Selwyn's arm around her relaxed
then tightened.
why do you ask. dear?" he said
very quietly.
81 heard mother say to Eileen that
you had never had a chance for hap.
piness. thought it was very sad.
had gone into the clothespress to play
with my dolls; you know l still do
play with them-that is, 60 into some
secret place and look at them at times
when the children are not around. Sc
I was in there, sitting on the cedar
chest, and couldn't help hearing what
they said. Mother said to Eileen
Dearest, can't you learn to care for
himT And Eileen
'Drina," he interrupted sharply, "you
must not repeat things you overhear.' u
"Oh, l didn't hear anything more, >
said the child, because l remembered
that 1 shouldn't listen, and 1 came out
of the closet. Isn't 1t possible for you
to marry anybody. Uncle Philip|
"No, Drina."
mot even if Eileen would marry
you?
mo"
"Why"
''You could not understand, dear
Even your mother cannot quite under.
stand. So we won't ever speak of II
again, Drina."
II know something that mother does
not" she said. And as he betrayed no
curiosity: "Eileen is in love. l heard
her say So"
He Strengthened up sharply. turning
to look at her.
II was sleeping with her / was still
awake, and heard her say, 4 do love
you; do love you She said it very
softly, and 1 cuddled up, supposing
she meant me. But she was asleep"
"She certainly meant you," said Sci
wyn. forcing his stiffened lips into a
smile.
'No; she did not mean me-"
"H-how do you know?"
because she said mans name"
A few moments later her music
teacher arrived, and Drina was oblig.
ed to leave him.
"If you don't wait until have finish
ed my music" she said, "you won't
see mother and Eileen. They are COM
In 30 kaIr d.