The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-03-25

stood there. eyes swollen hair in dis
evening tie unLnotted and dangling
over his soilcd short front
Hello" said selwyn simply. May
l come inT
The boy passed his hand across
his eyes as though confused by the
light. Then he turned and walked
back toward the bed. still rubbing his
eyes, and sat down on the edge.
Selwyn closed the. door and seated
himself. apparently not noticing Ger.
AIDS diShevelmcnt.
Though I'd drop in for good night
pipe" he aad quietly. "By the way.
Gerald. I'm going down to Silverside
next week. Nina has asked Boots too.
Couldn't you fix ii TO come along with
usY"
II don't know" said the boy In o
low voice. I'D like to-"
Good business! That will be fine!
What you and | need is good sti1
tramp across the muors or gallop ii
you like. It's great for mental cob
webs, and my brain Is disgracefully
unswept. BY he way, somebody said
that you'd joined the Siowitha club"
Yes" said the boy listlessly.
"Well, you'll get some lively trout
miles from SilvcrsIde. you know. You
can run over In the motor very easily"
Gerald nodded. sitting silent, his
handsome head supported in both
hands, his eyes on the floor.
That something was very wrong
with him appeared plainly enough, but
SelwyK. touched 10 the he's rt and mis-.
erably apprehcnsive, dared not ques
tion him unaskcd.
And so they sat there for awhile.
Selwyn making what conversation he
could. and at length Gerald turned AMI
dragged himself across the bed. drop.
ping his head back on the disordered
pillows.
"Go on" he said; I'm listening"
So Selwyn continued his pleasant
inconsequcntial observations, and Ger
aid lay with closed eyes quite motion.
less until, watching him, Selwyn saw
his hand was trembling where It lay
cllnched beside him And presently
the boy turned his face to the wall.
Toward mi6ri"ht Sclwyn rose quiet.
ly, removed his unlichted pipe from
between his teeth. Knocked the ashes
from II and po keted IT, Then he
walked to the he'd and seated himself
-on the edge
"What's the trouble, old manT" he
asked coolly.
There was no answer He placed his
hand over Gerad's. The boys hand
lay inert then quivered and closed on
Selwyn's convulsively.
That's right" said the elder man;
that's what I'm here for-to stand by
when you hoist signals. Go on"
The boy shook his head and buried
1t deeper in the pillow.
bad as that?" commented Selwyn
quietly. "Well. what Of It? I'm stand.
Ing by, ] tell YOU. That's right,+as
Gerald broke down, his body quivering
under the sp1sm of soundless grief
that's the safety valve working. Good
business, Take your time"
1t took a long lime. and Selwyn sat
silent and motionless. his whole arm
numb from Its position and Geralds
crushing grasp. And at last, seeing that
was the moment to speak. he said:
"Now let's fix up this matter, Gerald
Come onv'
Good heavensl H-how can 1t be
f-hxed?"
"Pll tell you when you tell me. It's
a money difficulty, suppose, isn't it,"
eyes"
"Cards?"
"P-partly."
"Oh, a note? Case of honor? Where
Is this |. o. L. that you gave"
"It's worse than that The-the note
is paid. Good God-I can't tell your
"You must. That's why I'm here,
Gerald"
"Well, then, IL drew a check
knowing that l had no funds. If tiff
they return IL marked"-
II see. What are the figures?
The boy stammered them out. Sci.
wyn's grave face grew graver still.
'That is bad" he said slowly, "very
bad. Have you-but Of course you
couldn't have seen Austin"
I'D kill myself firstv' said Gerald
fiercely.
mo, you wouldn't do that. You're
not that kind. Keep perfectly cool,
Gerald, because 1t is going to be fixed.
The method only remains to be de-
cided upon"
II can't take your money! stammer-
ed the boy Il can't take a cent from
you after what I've said-the beastly
things I've said"
ut isn't the things you say to me,
Gerald, that matter. Let me think a
bit, and don't worry. Just lie quietly
and understand that I'll do the worry
Ing. And while I'm amusing myself
with a little quiet reflection as to ways
and means just take your own bearings
from this reef ana set a true course
once more, Gerald. That is all the re-
proach, all the criticism, you are going
to get from me. Deal with yourself
and VOnr Gf.1 In, etIaoraU