The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-03-04


ster anyway, so you and Gerald neet
not wait And thank you for coming
over. Ii was rather nice OF you'--sh,
! glanced insolently at Neergard-"con
ssidering the crowd we're with. Coco
night, Captain Selwyn Good night
Gerald SO very jolly to have seen yor
again." And under her breath to Sci
wyn: you need not worry. am go
ing in moment Goodby, and-thanb
\ you. Phil. 1t is good to see somebody
Of ones own caste again."
A few moments later Selwyn and
Gerald In their oilskins 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 he
stumbled, and Selwyn's arm sustained
him, but the older man forbore to
question him, and Gerald, tight Tipped
and haggard, offered no confidence un-
til at the door of his bedroom he turn
ed and laid an unsteady hand on Sell
wyn's shoulder and said: Il am In a
very bad fix. want to talk with you
tomorrow May ~
you know you may, Gerald. | am
always ready TO stand your friend"
At the end Of the corridor Selwyn
halted before Elleen's room. A light
came through the transom. He wait
ed "A moment, then knocked very soft
ly.
rs II yai?" 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 anythingY"
Yes"
He heard her coming TO the door. II
opened very little. Good night"
she whispered, stretching toward him
her hand. "That was all | wanted
toto touch you before | 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 lt-at the delicate blush
vein in the smooth wrist
Then he released the hand, untoneh-
ed by his lips, and she withdrew II
and closed the door, and he heard her
laugh softly and lean against II, whls-
pering:
Now that am safely locked In
merely wish to say that In the old days
a lady's hand was sometimes kissed
Oh, but you are too late, my poor
friend! l can't come out. and
wouldn't If 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 II. Gerald stood there, fully |
dressed.
IN lao
train" began the boy. Il thought ia |
tell you"
The dawn was no paler than the /
boys face. no more desolate. Trouble
was his. the same old trouble that has
dogged the trail Of folly since time be-
gan. and Selwyn knew II and waited.
At last the boy broke out. ''This is
cowanily trick, this sinking In 10 you
with all my troubles after what you've
1one for me, after the rotten way I've
treated you. Philip. ! can't tell you; !
imply cannot. Its 10 contemplate,
md you warned me, and owe you al
ready SO much"
You owe me little money" observ-
u Selwyn. with a careless smile. "and
you've lifetime 10 pay II Ia. What Is
he trouble nowi DO you need moref
haven't an awful lot. old fellow, worse
luck. but what ! have b at your call,
~ you know perfectly well. IL that all
hat IL worrying your
'so. not all Neergsrd has lent me
noney. done things placed me under
liked him, you know.
.rusted him. People he desired 10 know
made him known 10 He WIS s-a
rife peremptory AZ times. as though
ny obligations 70 him left me no choice
,ut TO take him 10 such people as be
desired 70 meet We've bad trouble