The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-01-07


Luncheon had not been served when
they returned without lingering on
the landing, as usual. they exchanged
formal word or two. Then Eileen
mounted to her own quarters and Sell
wyn walked nervoIly through the Ii
brary, where be saw Nina evidently
prepared for some midday festivity
for she wore hat and furs and the
brougham was outside.
"Oh. Phil" she said. Eileen prob
ably forgot that was going out. It's
directors luncheon at the exchange
Please tell Eileen that can't wait for
her. Where is shcT'
Dressing ! suppose. Nina. r.
"One moment. dear. | promised the
children that you would lunch with
them in the nursery DO you mind
did It to keep tom quiet. was
weak enough to compromise between
fox hunt or fudge. so said you'd
lunch with them win your?
Certainly And, %ina. what sort Of
man Is this George Fane?''
"Fane?"
"Yes-the chinleSs gentleman. with
gentle brown and protruding eyes and
the expression OF II tame brontosaurus."
"Why-how do you mean Phil?
What sort Of man? He's a banker.
He isn't very pretty. but he's popular"
"Oh. POPULAR he nodded. as close to
a sneer as he could ever get.
'He has very popular wife too
Haven't you met Rosamund? People
like him. He's about everywhere; very
useful. very devoted to pretty women.
But I'm really in hurry, Phil" Her
voice dwindled and died away through
the hall; the front door changed.
He went to his quarters. drove out
Austin's man, arranged his own fresh
linen, took a sulky plunge and, an un-
lighted cigarette between his teeth.
completed his dressing In sullen in
trospection.
When he had tied his scarf and bit
ten his cigarette to pieces he paced
the room once or twice. squared his
shoulders, breathed deeply and. un-
bending his eyebrows, walked off to
the nursery.
Hello. you kldsr' he said, with an
effort. T've come to luncheon. Very
nice OF you to want me, Drina."
81 wanted you, too" said Billy.
I'm to sit beside you"
$50 am l." observed Drina. pushing
Winthrop out of the chair and sliding
In close to Selwyn. She had the cat.
Kit-Ki, In her arms. Kit-Ki. divininR
nourlshment. was purring loudly.
Josephine and Clemence In plnafores
and stick-out skirts sat wriggling, with
Winthrop between them the FIVE dogs
sat In row behind. Katie and Bridget
assumed the functions OF Hibernian
Hebes, and luncheon began with
clatter of spoons.
1t being also the children's dinner.
supper and bed occurring from to @,
meat figured on the card. and Klt-Kis
purring increased to an ecstatic and
wheezy squeal, and her rigid tail as
she stood up on Drlna's lap was con
stantly brushing Selwyn's features.
"The cat Is shedding, too" he re-
marked as he lodged her caudal ap-
pendage for the twentieth time. at
will go In with the next spoonful Of
cranberry sauce, Drina, II you're not
careful about opening your mouth"
After luncheon Selwyn and Miss
Enroll met In the living room, a big,
square, sunny place, in golden greens
and browns, where a bay window
overlooked the park.
Kneeling on the cushions Of the deep
window seat, she hattened her dell
cate nose against the glass, peering
out through the lace hangings.
Everybody and his family are driv-
ing" she said over her shoulder. "The
rich and great are cornering the fresh
air supply"
For awhile she kneeled there. silent
ly intent on the passing pageant with
all the unconscious curiosity OF a
child. Presently, without turning:
'srhey speak of the younger set-but
what is Its limitf So many, 80 many
people! The hunting crowd-the silly
crowd-the wealthy set-the dreadful
yellow set-then all those others made
out OF metals-copper and coal and
iron and She shrugged her youth
ful shoulders, still intent on the pass
ing show.
"Then there are the intellectuals-
the artistic, the Illuminated, the mu-
sical sorts. IL wish | knew more of
them. They were my fathers friends
some of them" She looked over her
shoulder to see where Selwyn was
and whether he was listening. smiled
at him and turned, resting one hand
on the window seat. $50 many kinds
of people," she said. with a shrug.
"You asked me-" he said, whether
l know Sudbury Gray. do slightly
What about himp And he waited
remembering Nina'S suggestion as tc
that wealthy young -Nan's eligibility.
Hes one of the incest men Pknow,
she replied frankly.
"Yes, but you don't know Boots Ian
sing"
"The gentleman who was bucked