The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-07-30
Condolences.
BY CLARENCE ROCK.

CYLVIA rose from her seat by the fire
\ as l entered, and gave me her hand;
and from a certain look of CONSCIOUS
ness in her eyes | saw that she knew
that l knew
so you're back in town at last? said
Sylvia. Have you had tea?'
No. | said, "and L will, thank you"
Sylvia poured me out Il cup NO
sugar-and very little milk, isn't it?''
she said.
Yes 1 said I've had an excellent
padding up and down the Ri
viera in the sunshine. Glad to get back,
though"
l 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.
"Weu?' l said.
Don't you think" said Sylvia, that
the occasion requires you To say some
thing ice-and-cousinly. l am sure
you've heard
Yes" l said, I've heard. Aunt
Emma wrote and told me about it as
soon as-well, at least, 1 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.
Il suppose" | said, reflectively, stir
ring my tea Cinto which Sylvia had put
sugar), that il did happen. lie did
propose. Or did you?'
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 l was pleased,
oughtn't /? 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
arched eyebrows. Il thought Edgar
was such friend of yours, and well,
we have always been"
You call him Edgar-how curious" +"
| murmured. Now l have known
him for years and never called him
ANYTHING but Jones; while you have
only known him-how long? y year?
Less, ! should think. And yet you"
It's not a question of time, at all, q"
said Sylvia, turning her face away from
me again. Edgar and l know one an
other-thoroughly. We have no secrets
from each other You may get to know
4 person 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 Il secret.
We'll. but why aren't you pleased?'
said Sylvia. I'm sure you're not-and
| think it's littIe-a little unkind of
YOU. Still" and Sylvia settled herself
more comfortably in her chair, ''of
course it doesn't matter-much."
| Not much,' 1 replied, putting down
nv teacup; nevertheless, you can
| scarcely expect Il man to be overjoyed
| when he loses his best friend-and-his
| best cousin. Can you?
Loses theml" said Sylvia. What do
| YOU meant"
| Il have always noticed ] said, that
| lose more friends by marriage than 10y
| death"
But you don't suppose" began
| Sylvia.
! .If nv friend is n man. l continued
his wife dislikes me because / know
more of her husband than she does
How absurd" said Sylvia.
And if my friend is woman"
continued, her husband is just n shad
jealous because he suspects that l hav
been making love to her"
How silly" said Sylvia, shifting i'm
paticntly in her chair.
The worst of it is l proceeded
that they are both right-as a rule