The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-02-11
By ROBERT w. CHAMBERS.
Author Of The Fighting Chance Etc
Copyright. 1907. by Robert W. Chambers


Please do let us have party
So SelwyD went to the telephone
and presently returned saying that
Boots was overwhelmed and would he
present ut the festivities aud Drina
enraptured. ordered flowers to be
brought from the dining room aud a
large table set for four with particu
lar pomp and circumstance
Mr. Archibald Lansing arrived very
promptly. a short. stocky young man
OF clean and powerful build. with dark
keen eyes always alert and humorous
lips ever on the edge of laughter un
der his dark mustache
His manner with Drina was always
delightful Il mixture OF self reprpsSed
idolatry aud busill naive belief IN Il
thorough understanding between them
TO exclude Selwyu from their com
pany
"This SelWyn fellow here he ex
claimed ~ warned him over the
phone we'd not tolerate him Drina
explained to him very carefully thai
you and | were dining together IN
strictest privacy"
"He begged so hard" said Eileen
"Will somebody place an extra pillow
for Drinaf"
They seized the same pillow Hcrcely.
confronting each other: massacre ap.
peared imminent
1.-TWO pillows" said Driua swpptly.
and eXtermiuution was avcitCd rhc
child laughed happily covering one
OF Boots hands with both of hers
so you've left the service. Mr. Lam
singY" began Eileen Tying hack aud
looking smilngly M Boots
Had to- Miss Enroll Seven million.
aires ran into my quarters aud chase
me out aud down Broadway into the
offices of the NnStchcSter Air Line
company Then these seven mcrci
less millionairps m buckrnm bound
and gagged me stuffed my pockets
full Of salary and forced me TO type
write q fearful md sc,rcl onth 10 serve
them for five long weary wears That's
q sample of how the wealthy grind
the noses Of the poor, isn't II, Drina 2"
The child slipped her hand from bis,
smiling uncertainty
"You don't mean all that, do you?"
"Indeed. | do sweetheart"
"Are you not a soldier lieutenant
any more, then?" she inquired, horri-
bly, disappointed.
"Only a private IN the workmau's
battalion, Drina"
81 don't care" retorted the child OBJ
stinately. 81 like you just as much"
"How tall you're growing, Drina,"
remarked Selwyn.
Probably the early spring weather."
added Boots, you're twelve aren't
your
Thirteen" said Drina gravely.
almost time to elope with me-"
nodded Boots.
"I'll do It now," she sald-"as soon
as my new gowns are made-if you'll
take me to Manila, VIII your l be-
lieve my Aunt Alike is there
She caught Elleen's eye and stopped
short 81 forgot" she murmured. II
beg your pardon, Uncle Philip" ''
Boots was talking very fast and
laughing a great deal Eileen's plate
claimed her undivided attention. Sell
wyn quietly finished his claret The
child looked at them all
"By the way" said Boots abruptly.
"whats the matter with Gerald? He
came in before noon looking very
seedy." Selwyn glanced up quietly.
Wasn't he at the officer" asked FL
leen anxiously.
"Oh. yes" replied Selwyn. He felt
a trihe under the weather, so | sent
him home"
''Is 1t the gripT
"N-no. | believe not"
"Do you think he had better have a
doctor2 Where is hep"
"He was here" observed Drina com.
posedly. land father was angry with
him"
"What2" exclaimed Eileen. 'WhenT
"This morning before father went
downtown"
Both Selwyn and Lansing cut in cool
ly, dismissing the matter with care
less word or two, and coffee was serv-
ed, cambric tea in Drina's case.
"COme on" said Boots, slipping a
bride rose into Drina's curls. I'm
ready for condolences"
Condolences" had become an estab-
lished custom with Drina and Boots.
1t meant that every time they saw one
another they were pledged to tell each
other everything that had occurred In
their lives since their last meeting
So Drina, excitedly requesting TO be
excused. jumped up and, taking Ian
sings hand in hers, led him to sofa
in distant corner, where they imme-
diately installed themselves and be-
gan an earnest and whispered ex-
change of condolences, punctuated by
little whirlwinds OF laughter from the
child.