The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-03-25

An hour later he sent his card in to
Rosamund Fame, and Bosamund came
down presently. mystified. fattered. yet
shrewdly alert and prepared for any
thing since the miracle of his coming
justified such preparation
"Why in the world" she said. with
q flushed gayety perfectly genuine
"did you ever come to see mef'
Its only this" he said am won
dering whether you would do anything
for me"
Anything! Merci! Isn't that eN-
tremely general Captain selwynf But
you never can tell. Ask me-
So he bent forward, his clasped
hands between his knees. and told her
very earnestly of his fears about Ger
aid, asking her to use her undoubted
influence with the boy to shame him
from the card tables. explaining how
utterly disastrous to him and his fam
tly his present course WAS.
Gould you help u.s. he asked.
"Help us. Captain Selwyn? Who is
the u.s. pleasef"
"Why. Gerald and me-and his fam
n.y." he added. meeting her eyes. The
eyes began to dance with malice
His family" repeated RoSamund
'that is to say. his sister. Miss Er
roll. His family. believe ends there
does it notT'
Yes. Mrs. Fame"
81 see Miss Enroll is naturally wor.
ried over him. But | wonder why she
a. -. hos ..F
sending you as her errant ambassa-
dor"
Miss Enroll did not send me-" ne
said, flushing up. And. looking stead.
jly into the smiling dolrs face confront.
ing him. he knew again that he had
failed.
She smiled. Come to me on your
own errand, for Gerald's sake. for any
body's sake, for your own preferably.
and I'll listen, but don't come to me on
another woman's errands, for won't
listen even to you"
II have come on my own errand."
he repeated codly Miss Enroll knew
nothing about il and shall not hear OF
II from me. Can you not help me. Mrs
FaneT
But Rosamund's rose china features
had hardened into polished smile,
and Selwyn stood up wearily to make
his adieu.
But as he entered his hanson before
the door he knew the end was not yet,
and once more he set his face toward
the impossible ana once more the hau-
som rolled away over the asphalt, and
once more it stopped this time before
the house Of Eutivcn.
Ruthven's greeting was palid stare.
but as Selwyn made no motion to rise
he lounged over TO couch and, half
reclining among the cushions, shot an
tnsolent glance at Selwyu, then yawned
and examined the bangles on his wrist.
After a moment Sciwyn said, "Mr.
Ruthven, you are no doubt surprised
that am here"
am not surprised II it's my wife
''n I'm the object Of your visit | con-
fess to some surprise-as much as the
visit Is worth and no more"
The vulgarity of the insult under the
mans own roof scarcely moved Sell
wyu TO any deeper contempt and Ger.
talnly not TO anger.
II did not come here 10 ask a favor
Of you" he said coolly, "for that is out
Of the question, Mr.. Ruthven. But
came to tell you that Mr.. Erroll's fam
fly has forbidden him 10 continue his
gambling in this house and IN your
company anywhere or at any time"
-Most extraordinary" murmured
Ruthven, passing his ringed fingers
over his minutely shaven face-that
strange face Of a boy hardened by the
depravity of ages.
so / must request you" continued
eelwyn, "to refuse him the opportunity
Of gambling here. win you do it--vol-
untarily"
mo"
~Then shall use my judgment In
the matter"
~And what may your judgment in
the matter beT
81 have not yet decided For one
thing ! might enter a complaint with
the police that boy is being morally
and materially ruined in your private
gambling establishment"
''Is that threat?"
"No. win act, not threaten"
~Ah," drawled Ruthven, 81 may do
the same the next time my wife spends
the evening in your apartment"
"You liew said Selwyn In a voice
made low by surprise.
"oh, no. don't. Very chivalrous OF
you-quite proper for you to deny it