The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-05-27

again to Nina: Dear, have you heard
anything about Alike Ruthveny think
II is the strangest thing that nobody
seems TO know where she is And all
anybody can get out of Jack is that
she's in a nerve factory or some such
retreat and perfect wreck. She might
ar well he dead. YOU know"
"In that case" observed Lansing. "it
might he best TO shift the center Of
gossip. De mortuis nil nisi bonum,
which Is simple enough for any body
10 comprehend
"That Is rude. Mr.. Lansing" flashed
out Rosamund. and to his astonishment
he saw the tears start TO her eyes
ii beg your pardon" he said sulkily.
you do we'll to- care more for
Alike Ruthveu than-than you give me
credit for caring about anybody. Peo-
pie are never wholly worthless. MIR.
Lansing-only the very young think
that"
Boots said respectfully: Il am sorry
for what | said. Mrs. Fame. | hope
that your friend Mrs. Ruthven will
soon recover
Rosamund looked at Nina, the tears
Htill trimming her lids. Il miss her
frightfully." she said. III somebody
would only tell me where she is-I-l
know II could do no harm for me To
zee her i can be as gentle and loyal
ns anybody-w | really care for Il
person. DO you know where she might
he. Ninaf"
81? No. do not. I'd tell you II
did, Rosamund
Don't you know"
why. no." said Nina, surprised at
her persistence.
Because" continued Rosamund.
"your brother does"
Nina Strengthened up. flushed and
astonished
"Why do you say thatY' she asked
Because he does know. He sent her
10 Clifton. The maid who accompanied
her is in my service now. It's low
way OF finding ont things, bat we all
do It,"
"He-sent Alike toto Clifton" re-
peated Nina incredulously. "Your maid
told you that?"
Rosamund finished the contents of
her slim glass and rose. Yes and II
was brave and generous and loyal
thing for him 10 do. care for Alike,
and ! honor your brother for what he
did"
She stood with pretty golden head
bent, absently arranging the sables
around her neck and shoulders.
II have been very horrid to Captain
selwyn" she said quietly. Tell him
] am sorry, that he has my respect.
And-if he cares TO tell me where
Alike is I shall be grateful and do no
harm"
Good night" said Boots to Nina.
Then he took Rosamund down to her
brougham with silent formality that
touched her present sentimental mood.
She leaned from her carriage win
dow, looking at him where he stood,
hat in hand, in the thickly falling
snow
"Please-without ceremony, Mr.. Lam
sing" and as he covered himself
May not drop you at your destina.
tion?"
Thank you" In refusal.
IL thank you for being nice TO me.
Please believe there is often less malice
than perversity in me. IL have a
heart, Mr.. Lansng-such as 1t is. And
often those | torment most care for
most II was so with Alike. Good
BY"
Boots salute was admirably formal.
Then he went on through the thicken-
ing snow, swung vigorously across the
avenue TO the park wall and, turning
south, continued on parallel TO 1t under
the naked trees.
Now he began TO understand some.
thing of the strange effacement Of his
friend Selwyn. He began to compre-
bend the curious economies practiced,
the continued absence from club and
eoterle, the choice Of the sordid lodg-
ing whittier Boots, one night, seeing
him on the street by chance, had
shamelessly tracked him, with no ex-
cuse for the intrusion save his affec-
tion for this man and his secret doubts
Of the mans ability to take care OF
himself and his occult affairs.
Into the doorway of Selwyn's lodg-
ipgs Lansing turned, When the town
was young Lansing had lived
there in pomp and circumstance-his
own great-grandfather- be smiled
grimly, amused at the irony Of things
terrestrial.
A slattern at the door halted him.
Nobody amt let up them stairs
without my KNOWN why" she mum
bled.
II want to see Captain selwyn," be
explained.
"HeyT
"Captain SelwynT
"Hey7 I'm a little deefp' screeche6
the old crone. "Is 1t Cap'n SelwyI
you wantT
Above, Selwyn, hearing his name
screamed through the shadows Of the