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


first phrase Of u tale that is told. And
II she were at times listless, absent
eyed, subdued, trif1e graver or un-
usually silent, seeking the still paths
of the garden as though in need of
youthful meditation and the quiet of
the sunset hour, she never doubted that
that tale would be retold for her again.
Only, alas, the fair days were passing,
and the russet rustic Of October sound
ed already among the curling leaves in
the garden, and he had been away a
long time, very long time, and she
could not understand.
On one of Austins week end visits,
the hour for conjugal confab having
arrived between husband and wife, he
said, with trace Of irritation in his
voice:
II don't know where Phil is or what
he's about. I'm wondering-he's got
the Selwyn conscience, you know
what he's up to and IL it's any kind of
damfoolishness. Haven't you heard a
word from him, Nina?"
Nina, in her pretty night attire, had
emerged from her dressing room, lock-
ed out Kit-Ki and her maid and had
curled up in big, soft armchair, era
ding her bare ankles In her hand.
II haven't heard from him." she
said. "Rosamund saw him in Wash
ington-passed him on the street He
was looking horribly thin and worn.
she wrote. He did not see her."
Now, what In the name of common
sense is he doing in Washington" ex-
claimed Austin wrathfully. Probably
breaking his heart because nobody
way, Nina, Gerald has done rather an
unexpected thing. saw him last
night He came to the house and told
me that he had just severed his con-
nection with Julius Neergard's COM
pany."
I'm glad of it.' exclaimed Nina.
I'm glad he showed the good sense
to do itv'
"Well, yes. AS matter of fact,
Neergard is going to be very rich
man some day, and Gerald might
have But am not displeased What
appeals to me is the spectacle Of the
boy acting with conviction ON his own
initiative. OF course he can, II he
chooses. begin everything again and
that he has any ability. hc can set up
some sort of real estate office on his
own hook"
Nina hesitated, another idea intrud-
ing.
"Austin, the Orchil boy, the one in
tie idiot! She told me. Thank good
ness, she still does tell me things!
Also the younger and chubbier Dray-
more youth has offered himself after a
killingly proper interview with me. 1
thought it might amuse you to hear
of it,"
at might amuse me more If Eileen
would get busy and bring Philip into
camp" observed her husband.
"Do you know" said Nina, "that |.
believe he is in love with her?"
"Then why Doesn't
81 don't know. l was sure-I am
sure now-that the girl cares more for
him than for anybody. And yet-and
vet I don't believe she is actually in
love with him."
After a moment Nina's face grew
grave, and she bent forward.
"AliXe is i'll. Nobody seems to know
what the matter is Nobody has seen
her.. But she's at Clifton, with cou-
pie of nurses, and Rosamund heard
rumors that she is very Ill indeed.
People go to Clifton for shattered
nerves, you know. There is mental
trouble in her family. You have heard
Of 1t as well as I. You know her IA
ther died of it,
"The usual defense in criminal cases."
observed Austin, flicking his cigarette
end into the CRATE. "I'm sorry, dear,
that Alike has the jumps. Hope she'll
get over 'em. But, as for pretending
I've any use for her, can't and don't
and won't. She spoiled life for the
best man l know. She kicked his repu-
tation into a cooked hat, and he, with
his chivalrous Selwyn conscience, let
her do it, l did like her once. l don't
like her now, and that's natural, and it
winds up the matter"
Ruthven was at that very moment
seated in a private card room at the
Stuyvesant club with Sanxon Orchil,
George Fame and Bradley Harmon,
and the game had been bridge, as
usual, and had gone very heavily
against him.
Several things had gone against Mr..
Ruthven recently. For one thing, he
was beginning to realize that he had
made vast mistake In mixing himself
up In any transactions with Neergard.
When he, at Neergard's cynical sug-
gestion, had consented to exploit his
own club-the Siowitha-and had con-
sented to resign from 1t to do SO, he
had every reason to believe that Neer-
gard meant either to mulct them heavily
or buy them out. In either case, hav-
ing been useful to Neergard, his profits
from the transaction would have been
considerable.
But even while he was absorbed in
figuring them up-and he needed the
money, as usual-Neergard coolly in
formed him OF his election to the club,