The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-08-27

CYLyLA rose from her seat by the fire
y as lentered, and gave me her hand;
and fry1n certain look of conscious
ness ia her eyes saw that she knew
that knew
"Soyou're back in town at last?" said
Sylvia. "Have you had tea?''
NO" l said, land will, thank you"
Sylvia poured me out a cup. mo
sugar-and very little milk, isn't it?"
she said.
"Yes," 1 said. i've had an excellent
time-paddling up and down the Ri
yiera in the sunshine. Glad to get back,
though"
slipped my tea in silence. Sylvia lay
back in her chair, her face half-hidden
by the fan with which she shielded her
complexion from the fire.
"Well?" said Sylvia.
"Well2" 1 said.
Don't you Think" said Sylvia, that
the occasion requires you to say some
thing Internationally. l am sure
you've heard"
"Yes," 1 said, I've heard. Aunt
Emma wrote and told me about it as
soon as-well, at least, suppose it was
as soon as By the way, when was
It?"
when was what?" said Sylvia.
when did it happen ?-when did
you"
20, don't be silly, JIM" said Sylvia.
And her foot waggled in the old way.
have always noticed that Sylvia's ex-
preston lies in her foot.
81 suppose" l said, refectively, stir
ring my tea Unto which Sylvia had put
sugar., 'that it did happen. He did
propose. Or did your"
Jim, you're horrid," said Sylvia.
please may | have some bread and
butter?" said. You can't get bread
and butter on the Riviera-at least, you
don't"
Sylvia handed it to me. Her eyes
flashed pathetic entreaty.
Il ought to have said was pleased,
'oughtn't 1? And that l am sure you
will be very happy, as you deserve to
be-"
We'll, aren't you pleased?" asked
Sylvia, looking at me curiously with
urehed eyebrows. Il thought Edgar
was such friend of yours, and well.
we have always been"
you call him Edgar-how curious"
! murmured. snow l have known
him for years and never called him
anything but Jones; while you have
only known him-how long? year?
Less, should think. And yet you"
It's not question of time, at all"
said Sylvia, turning her face away from
Inc again. Edgar and l know one an
other-thoroughly. We have no secrets
from each other. You may get to know
aperson quite as well in two months as
In two years if only"
Quite so. Very proper" l replied,
wondering vaguely what was Jones
notion of secret
We'll, but why aren't you pleasedY'
said Sylvia. I'm sure you're not-and
/ think it's little-a little unkind OF
you. STILL" and Sylvia settled herself
more comfortably in her chair, of
course it doesn't matter-much."
Not much" | replied, putting down
my teacup; nevertheless, you can
scarcely expect man to be overjoyed
when he loses his best friend-and-hi
best cousin. Can your"
Loses them!" said Sylvia. What do
you meanP"
l have always noticed" said, that
lose more friends by marriage than by
DEATH"
But you don't suppose" began
Sylvia.
II my friend is a man." I continued.
his wife dislikes me because know
more of her husband than she does
How absurd" said Sylvia.
And if my friend is woman"
eontlnued. "her husband is just shade
jealous because he suspects that have
"een making love to her."
! How silly!" said Sylvia. shifting i'm
Pauently in her chair.
=. The worst of it is" proceeded.
nat they are both right-as a rule.
~ ms particular case~-''
'im.' exclaimed Sylvia, bringing an
Expressive foot down upon the hearth
rOs' ii you've only come back to he