The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-05-06

L
ster anyway, so you and Gerald need
not wait. And thank you for coming
over. II was rather nice Of you"-she
glanced insolently at Neergard-"con-
sidering the crowd we're with Good
night. Captain Selwyn Good night.
Gerald So very Jolly to have seen you
again. And under her breath to Sci
wyn: you need not worry. am GO
Ing In moment. Goodby. and-thank
you. Phil II Is good to see somebody
Of ones own caste again"
A few moments later Selwyn and
Gerald In their ollskins were dashing
eastward along the coast in the swift
est motor boat south Of the Narrows.
The boy seemed deathly tired as
they crossed the dim lawn at Silver
side. Once on the veranda steps he
stumbled, and Selwyn's arm sustained
him, but the older man forbore to
question him. and Gerald, tight Tipped
and haggard. offered no confidence un.
til at the door of his bedroom he turn.
ed and laid an unsteady hand on Sci
wyn's shoulder and said: 81 am in a
tomorrow. May II"
you know you may, Gerald. am
always ready TO stand your friend"
At the end Of the corridor Selwyn
halted before Eileen's room. A light
came through the transom. He wait.
cd a moment. then knocked very soft.
ly.
rs It your" she asked in low
voice
Yes. didn't wake you, did ~
"No. Is Gerald here?"
Yes; In his own room. Did you wish
to speak to me about anythlng?"
yes"
lie heard her coming to the door. II
opened very little. Good night"
she whispered, stretching toward him
her hand. THAT was all wanted
toto touch you before | closed my
eyes tonight"
He bent and looked Mt the hand ly-
ing within his own-the little hand
with Its fresh. fragrant palm upturned
and the white fingers relaxed, dropping
inward above it-at the delicate blush
vein in the smooth wrist.
Then he released the hand, untouch.
ell by his lips and she withdrew II
and closed the door. and he heard her
laugh softly and lean against It, whls.
perlng
Now that ! am safely locked In
merely wish to say that In the old days
a lady's hand was sometimes kissed
Oh, but you are too late. my poor
friend! can't come out, and !
wouldn't II I could-not after what
dared to say to you"
And, too low for him to hear even
the faintest breathing whisper OF her
voice: Good night. love you with all
my heart, with all my heart, in my
own fashion"
He had been asleep an hour perhaps
more, when something awakened him
and he found himself sitting bolt up
right in bed, dawn already whitening
his windows.
Somebody was knocking. He swung
out Of bed, stepped into his bath slip
pers and. passing swiftly to the door.
opened IT, Gerald stood there, fully
dressed.
'I'm going to town on the early
train" began the boy. II thought I'd
tell you"
The dawn was no paler than the
boys face, no more desolate. Trouble
was his, the same old trouble that has
dogged the trail OF folly since time be-
gan, and Selwyn knew II and waited.
At last the boy broke out: This is a
cowardly trick, this sinking In to you
with all my troubles after what you've
done for me. after the rotten way I've
treated you. Philip. can't tell you;
simply cannot. It's so contemplate,
and you warned me, and I owe you al
ready 30 much!"
"You owe me a little money" ohserv-
ed selwyn, with careless smile, "and
you've lifetime TO pay II in. What is
the trouble now? Do you need more?
haven't an awful lot, old fellow, worse
luck. but what have is at your call.
as you know perfectly we'll Is that all
that is worrying your
'sNo, not all. I-Neergard has lent me
money-done things-placed me under
obligations. liked him, you know.
trusted him. People he desired to know
I made him known to. He was IA
trihe peremptory at times, as though
my obligations TO him left me no choice
but to take him to such people as he
desired to meet. We've had trouble
recently"
"What sortT'
Personal. felt-began to feel-the
pressure uon me. There was at mo-
ments something almost of menace In
his requests and suggestions, an impor-
tunity ! did not exactly understand.
And then he said something to me-"
GO on. WhatT'
He'd been limiting at it before. and
even when | found him jolliest and
most amusing and companionable
never thought of him as IA social
possibility mean among those who
really count-like nv oVVn neonIa