Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-01-15

Ills G'' w.
"Wait a second. Boots" he said. And
Mr.. Lansing. being fairly intelligent
young man, went out and down the
stairway.
"Now," he said too kindly. too sooth-
ingly. what is it. Eilecn?"
Nothing. thOught-but ! don't
care. Please go, Captain Selwyn."
"No. | shall not until you tell me
what troubles you"
II can't"
TRY. Eileen
"Why, it is nothing, truly it is moth
ing Only vast is so early-only a
quarter past s.
He stood there looking down at her,
striving to understand.
THAT is ALL" she said. flushing a
trife. Il can't read, and can't sew,
and there's nobody here, don't mean
to bother you
Child" he exclaimed, "do you want
me to stay"
Yes, shc said. Twill you?"
lie NdlhSu SNHliy W thS
outside and looked down.
Boots" he called in low voice,
"Im not going home yet. Don't wait
for me at the LenoX."
"All right" returned Mr.. Lansing
cbeerfully. A moment later the front
door closed below. Then Selwyn came
back into the library
For an hour he sat there telling her
the gayest stories and talking the most
delightful nonsense. alternating with
interesting incisions into serious sub
jects which it enchanted her to dis
sect under his confident guidance.
Alert, intelligent. all aquiver between
laughter and absorption. she had sat
up among her silken pillows. resting
her weight on one rounded arm, her
splendid young eyes fixed on him to
detect and follow and interpret every
change in his expression personal to
the subject and to her share in it.
His old self againe What could be
more welcome? Not one shadow in his
pleasant eyes, not trace OF pallor, Of
care, Of that gray aloofness. How jol-
~, how young, he was after all!
They discussed or laughed at or men,
toned and dismissed with gesture
thousand matters Of common interest
in that swift hour-incredibly swift
unless the hall clocks deadened
chimes were hooking time itself with
mischievous effrontery.
She heard them, the enchantment
still in her eyes. He nodded. listening.
meeting her gaze with his smile undis-
turbed. When the last chime had
sounded she lay back among her cush-
ions.
q, THANK you for staying" she said
quite happily. do you think me IN
teresting to real men, like you and
Boo.s:" she asked.
"Yes," he said deliberately, 81 do I
don't know how interesting, because |
never quite realized how-how you
had matured. That was my stupid
ity."
Captain Selwyn." IN confused tri-
umph. you never gave me chance
! mean. you always were nice in-in
the same way you are to Drina. |
Liked ,t-don't. please. misunderstand-
only knew there was something else
70 me-som ething more nearly your
own age. 1t was jolly to know you
were really fond of me, but youthful
sisters grow faster than you imagine.
And now. when you come, shall ven.
ture to believe it is not wholly to do
me O kindness-but--a little-tO do
yourself one too. Is that not the basis
Of friendship"
Yes
Community and equality Of inter.
ests, isn't it,"
eyes" ~
"And-in which the-the charity of
superior experience and the inattention
of intellectual preoccupation and the
amused concession to ignorance must
steadily, If gradually, disappear? Is
that it too"
Astonishment and chagrin at his mis-
conception of her gave place to out
right laughter at his own expense.
"Where on earth did you'll mean
that | am quite overwhelmed under
your cutting indictment of me. Old
buffers of my age
Don't say that" she said. THAT
is pleading guilty to the Indictment
and reverting to the old footing. l
shall not permit you to go back
IL don't want to, Eileen"
81 am wondering" she said airily,
"about that Eileen I'm not sure but
that easy and fluent Eileen is part of
the indictment. What do you call
Gladys Orchil. for exampleT
"What do care what | call any,
body?" he retorted, laughing.
s. Their light hearted laughter mingled
delightfully--fresh, free, uncontrolled,
peal after peal. She sat huddled up
like a schoolgirl, lovely head thrown
back, her white hands clasping her
knees; he, both feet squarely on the
floor leaned forward, his laughter
echoing hers.
"What nonsense! What blessed non
sense you and are talkingp she said,
"but it has made me quite happy. Now
you may go to your club"
81 don't want to-"
"Oh, but you must"--she was now
dismissing him-"because, although !
am convalescent, / am little tired.
and Nina's maid is waiting to tuck me
in"
$50 you send me away"
"Send YOU She hesitated, de-
confused in the reversal of
roles-not quite convinced Of this new