The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-02-24

<AnA AC ACPCatSu lis QuSbIlOu u lOW,
distinct voice, too low for Neergard to
hear, and he was still listening.
Grounds? Oh, he thinks I've mis-
behaved with-never mind who. 1t is
not true, but he cares nothing about
that either. You see," and she bent
nearer confldentially, with mysteri-
Gus little nod Of her pretty head-"you
see, Jack Ruthven is a little insane.
You are surprised? Pooh! I've sus.
pected 1t for months"
He stared at her. Then, where
are you stoppingT'
"Aboard the Niobrara."
"Is Mrs. Fame a guest there too?'
He spoke loud enough for Rosamund
to hear, and she answered for herself,
with smile at him brimful of malice:
Delighted to have you come aboard,
Captain Selwyn. Is-that what you are
asking permission to DOR
Thanks" he returned dryly, and to
Alike, "If you are ready, Gerald and
1 will take you ovcf to the Niobrara
In the motor boat"
"Oh, no, you won'tw broke In Eeer-
gard, with sneer. "You'll mind your
own business, my intrusive friend, and
Ill take care OF my guests without
your assistance"
selwyn appeared not to hear him.
"Come on, Gerald" he said pleasantly;
"Mrs. Ruthven is going over to the
Niobrnra"-
"For Gods sake" whispered Gerald,
white as a sheet, don't force me into
trouble with Neergard."
Selwyn turned on him an astonished
gaze. Are you afraid OF that whelp"
"Yes," muttered the boy. "T-IIl ex-
plain later, but don't force things now.
beg you."
Mrs. Ruthven coolly leaned over and
spoke to Gerald In a low voice; then
to Selwyn she said, with smile: "Ros-
amund and are going to Brookmin-
ster anyway, 80 you and Gerald need
not wait. And thank you for coming
over. 1t was rather nice OF you''-she
glanced insolently at Neergard-"con-
sidering the crowd we're with. Good
night, Captain Selwyn. Good night.
Gerald. So very jolly to have seen you
againw And under her breath to Sci.
wyn: "You need not worry. / am 60
ing IN moment. Goodby, and-thank
you, Phil. 1t is good to see somebody
of ones own caste again"
A few moments later Selwyn and
Gerald in their ollskins were dashing
eastward along the coast In the swift
est motor boat south of the Narrows.
The boy seemed deathly tired as
they crossed the dim lawn at Silver
side. Once ON the veranda steps be
stumbled, and Selwyn's arm sustained
him, but the older man forbore to
question him, and Gerald, tight Tipped
and haggard. offered no confidence I'M
til at the door Of his bedroom he turn
ed and laid an unsteady hand on Sell
wyn's shoulder and said: II am in a
very bad fix. want to talk with you
tomorrow. May II"
you know you may, Gerald. l am
always ready to stand your friend"
At the end Of the corridor Selwyn
halted before Eileen's room. A light
came through the transom. He wait
ed a moment, then knocked very soft
ly.
"Is it you" she asked in low
voice.
"Yes. didn't wake you, did IT
"No. Is Gerald here?"
Yes; in his own room. Did you wish
to speak to me about anything?"
"Yes."
He heard her coming to the door. 1t
opened very little. "Good night" !"
she whispered, stretching toward him
her hand. "That was all wanted
toto touch you before 1 closed my
eyes tonight"
He bent and looked at the hand ly-
ing within his own-the little hand
with its fresh, fragrant palm upturned
and the white fingers relaxed, dropping
inward above it-at the delicate blush
vein in the smooth wrist.
Then he released the hand, untouch-
ed by his lips, and she withdrew it
and closed the door, and he heard her
laugh softly and lean against it, whis-
pering:
"Now that l am safely locked in l
merely wish to say that in the old days
lady's hand was sometimes kissed.
oh, but you are too late, my poor
friend! 1 can't come out, and l
wouldn't il l could-not after what /
dared to say to you"
And, too low for him to hear even
the faintest breathing whisper of her
voice: Good night. I love you with all
my heart, with all my heart, in my
own fashion"
He had been asleep an hour, perhaps
more, when something awakened him
and he found himself sitting bolt up
right In bed, dawn already whitening
his windows
Somebody was knocking. He swung
out Of bed, stepped into his bath slip
pers and, passing swiftly to the door,
opened 1t. Gerald stood there, fully
dressed.
I'm going to town on the early
train." began the boy. II thought I'd
tell you"
The dawn was no paler than the
boys face, no more desolate. Trouble