The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-01-06

most absently: Good night. I'm 90
very glad you are well again"
Good night" she said, looking up at
him The faintest sense Of disappoint-
ment came over her-at what she did
not know. Was it because in his conn.,
pletely altered face she realized the
instant and easy detachment from her
self and what concerned her? Was II
because other people. like Mr.. Lansing
other interests, like those which SO
plainly in his face betrayed his preoc-
cupation-had 30 easily replaced an in
timacy which had seemed to grow new
er and more delightful with every
meeting?
What was it, then, that he found
more Interesting, more important. than
their friendship, their companionship ?
Was she never to grow old enough or
wise enough or experienced enough TO
exact - without exacting his para
mount consideration and interest?
Was there no common level Of mental
equality where they could meet-where
termination Of interviews might be mu-
tual, might be fairer to her?
Now ne went away, utterly detached
from her and what concerned her, to
seek other interests OF which she knew
nothing; absorbed in them to her ut
ter exclusion. leaving her here with
the long evening before her and moth
Ing to do, because her eyes were not
yet strong enough to use for reading.
Lansing was saying, TN drive as far
as the club with you. and then you can
drop me and come back later"
Right. my son I'll finish a letter
and then come back"
Cant you write it at the club?"
mot that letter." he replied in a low
voice and, turning to Eileen, smiled
his absent, detached smile. Offering his
hand.
But she lay back. looking straight up
at him.
Are you going?'
Yes. ! have several
Stay with me-" she said in a low
voice
For moment the words meant moth
ing; then blank surprise silenced him,
followed by curiosity.
''Is there something you wished to
tell me?" he asked
''N-no"
His perplexity and surprise grew.
wait a second. Boots" he said. And
Mr.. Lansing. being fairly intelligent
young man, went out and down the
stairway.
Now" he said too kindly. too sooth-
ingly. what is it, Eileen?
Nothing. I thought-but 1 don't
care. Please go, Captain Selwyn."
mo, ! shall not until you tell me
what troubles you"
81 can't"
'Try, Eileen"
why, it is nothing, truly it is moth
ing. Only l vast is so early-only q
quarter past s.
He stood there looking down at her,
striving to understand.
THAT is ALL" she said, flushing a
trif1e. II can't read, and / can't sew.
and there's nobody here. ! don't mean
to bother you
Child" he exclaimed, do you want
me to stay?"
Yes" she said. will you?'
He walked swiftly to the landing
outside and looked down.
Boots" he called in a low voice.
I'm not going home yet Don't wait
for me at the Lenox."
"All right" returned Mr.. Lansing
cheerfully. A moment later the front
door closed below. Then Selwyn came
back into the library.
For an hour he sat there telling her
the gayest stories and talking the most
delightful nonsense, alternating with
interesting incisions into serious sub
jects which it enchanted her to dis
sect under his confident guidance.
Alert, intelligent, all aquiver between
laughter and absorption, she had sat
up among her silken pillows. resting
her weight on one rounded arm, her
splendid young eyes fixed on him to
detect and follow and interpret every
change in his expression personal to
the subject and to her share in it.
His old self again! What could be
more welcome? Not one shadow in his
pleasant eyes, not a trace of pallor, Of
care, Of that gray aloofness. How jol-
ty, how young. he was after all!
They discussed or laughed at or men,
TONED and dismissed with gesture a
thousand matters OF common interest
in that swift hour-incredibly swift
unless the hall clocks deadened
chimes were mocking time itself with
mischievous effrontery.
She heard them, the enchantment
still in her eyes. He nodded. listening,
meeting her gaze with his smile undis-
turbed. When the last chime hnd
sounded she lay back among her cush-
ions.
Thank you for staying" she said
quite happily. do you think me In
teresting to real men, like You ana
Boots?" she asked.
YES" be said deliberately, 'T do.
don't know how interesting, because !
never quite realized how-how you
had matured. That was my stupid
ity."
Captain Selwyn," in confused tri.
umDh lynn navar s,ava ma N rhauoa