The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-01-27

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know he has been-perhaps-i indiscreet.
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, Eileenp"
"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 greaterT'
Selwyn's eyes suddenly narrowed.
"Did you help him out this timer"
"T-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. 81
did aid him. What of 1t? Could 1 re-
fuse?"
II know. Don't aid him again-that
way"
She stared. "You mean'-
''Send him to me, child. 1 under
stand such matters. THAT is"- And
in sudden evaporation inexplicable,
for the moment, to them both: "Don't
touch such matters again! They soil,
tell you. 1 will not have Gerald 60
to you about such thingsw
"My own brother! What do you
mean?"
81 mean that, brother or not, he
shall not bring such matters near
your
cam I to count for nothing, then,
when Gerald is in trouble?' she de-
manded, flushing up.
"COunt! Countw 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 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.
L am-overwhelmed. l did not con-
slider that l counted-so vitally-in the
scheme of things. But 1 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 your
'Teach you, Eileen. What winning
mockery! 1 teach you? Well, then,
teach you this-that mans blunder Is
best healed by mans sympathy. 1
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.
1 promise you that. Are you con-
tented?"
Yes"
She slowly raised one hand, laying it
fearlessly in both of his.
"He is all l have left" she said
You know that"
Il know. child"
Then, thank you, Captain Selwyn."
''No; thank you for giving me this
charge. 1t means that man must
raise his own standard of living before
he can accept such responsibility. You
endow me with all that q man ought to
be, and my task is doubled, for it is
not only Gerald, but myself, who re-
Quire surveillance"
He looked up, smilingly serious.
Such women as you alone can fit your
brother and me for an endless guard
duty over the white standard you have
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 it was almost
but am glad you did. You see"-drop-
ping into great velvet chair-"having
been of no serious consequence to any
body for so many years-to be told
suddenly that THAT count so vitally
with men-a man like 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 foretinger and thumb.
"I've not had you to talk to for a
whole week." she said, "and you'll let
me, won't you? 1 can't help 1t any
way, because as soon as l see you
crack-a million thoughts wake up in
me and clipper-clapper goes my tongue.
You are very good for me. You are so
thoroughly satisfactory except when
your eyes narrow in that dreadful, far
away gaze which I've forbidden, you
understand. What have you done to
your mustache?'
Clipped it."
"Oh, don't like it too short! Can
you get hold Of it to pull It? It's the
only thing that helps you in perplexity
to solve problems You'd be utterly
helpless mentally without your mus
tache. Shall we take up our Etruscau
symbols again when you come down to
stay with US at Snverside?"