The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-01-20


ouHlcc it to tell that Sylvia Remained o.
iivious to all Drunton's hints as to the
iaIse of time until he lnurmured that tho
hour nearCd |.
Safely in the hanson speeding home
ward, Sylvia returned to earth again and
sighed, since she felt like Cinderella in
having to leave the ball at its height And
BruntOn tentatively suggested that there
had been no prince at her ball, whereupon
Sylvia avOwed hastily that of course he
was the prince, then faltered and blushed.
After that it must BIO confessed that the
trees fringing Regents park witnessed
some callow lovcmaking.
Yes, Sylvia was sorry-very, very sorry
he was going, and perhaps when he re-
turned in three years he would have for
gotten her! And Brunton was equally
convinced of his own faithfulness, but
feared the strain of time and absence on
hers.
Brunton thought he would like their
next meeting to take place, as this one
had, in garden, and Sylvia remembered
that II certain green door in the high wall
encircling her grandmother ground OPEN
ed on quiet side road. 1t was quite
near; they could drive round that way,
and she would point it out.
Thereafter the stars witnessed a solemn
compact that that day three years Sylvia
would unlock the green door to give Brun-
ton entrance.
They were very much in earnest. Two
real tears glistened in Sylvia's eyes as she
spoke of tho years that the green door
must remain closed. And Brunton 8 voice
got husky, and he had difficulty In rem
dering his farewclls as manly as he would
have wished. So, rs become young lovers,
were the twain delightfully."- disconsolate.
Rc-entcring Mrs. Derrick's garden eau
tiously, tho culprits had scarce gained the
safe vantage of the shrubbery before en-
countcring an cmissary in search of Sylvia.
Lady Martingale was going, had been 60
ing for quite ten minutes, and both her
cloak and her granddaughter were to seek
Athwart the little green door the MOON
light glintcd softly, and Brunton, stand
ing in the near shadow of an lick, would
willingly liuro dropped the coming hour
out of his life.
Sincc.his return to England few days
before the memory of this approaching as
signatiCn had Professionally required to him.
AS man CT honor, he knew he dare not
shirk it. And yet how painful to lie fore
cent, trustful eyes-for of her constancy
ho had no doubt-and confess how he had
changed. and to tell boldly that their meet
ing had proved Eut an incident of no mo-
mcnt in the ordering OF his life.
lie must undcceiye her as tendcrly as
possible, speak Of Eleanor regrotfully, at
least not let Sylvia guess how entirely
happy their union was, or that she, Syl-
via had long ago ceased to be aught but
pretty, sentimental remembrance to him.
Even as he schoolcd himself distant
clCch struck the hour, and with the first
faint chime came the stealthy sound Of an
Cr;cning lcck. She was there!
Gently turning tho handle, ho passed
Through the gle2n door and entered Lady
Martin gales garden. Beside the great
Stone basin OF the old fountain stood Syl-
via, the moonlight sparkling on her hair,
and ;.dGing an ethereal glamour to the
sheen OF her robe. About her the tall Ma
donna lilies lent their fragrance to the
night.
y swift pang smote him rs no SAW that,
as when they first met, she wore white,
forgetting ;hat he, too, had sought to re-
capture his former aspect for her view.
Her eyes met his in questioning appeal,
and for moment mad rush of pity, ro-
nance, affection, call it what you will,
oyercamo him, and, springing forward, no
caught her hands.
"SylviaI'
YES"
"You had not forgottenP"
mo. And you?'
81 am here"
After the greeting there fell q sense Of
constraint, which Rrunton realized was
not al! of his making. She WAS lovely.
even marc lovely than of ycrc, taller, too
with the lapse OF years, and with an added
something in her expression that was new
to him.
Behind them the fountain splashed and
murmured. Then Sylvia broke the 81
lence, speaking as If in answer to his
thoughts.
"You-you have changed-are not the
same. OF course you look older and
hronzed-I don't mean that-but there is
something cl6e-your manner
Brunton felt there was no escape for
him. He must tell her and at once.
Sylvia" he began breathlcssly, three
years is u long tiHe''-
"Oh, yes! Is it notf" she interposed
eagerly.
"And, you know, ones circumstances
alter-new people intervene"
YES, yes; so they do.
Her unexpected acquicsccnce was dis
concerting, but he doggedly stumbled on
And, Sylvia, l wish to tell you'll
know il seems mean and crucl-but last
year met Eleanor, and"-
Hush" interrupted Sylvia suddenly.
raising her hand and turning in an atti-
tUdc Of listening expectancy toward the
lighted windows of the house visible across
the cxpanse Of lawn.
AS they paused, mute, from an open
easement came u feeble cry-yague, plain
tive, sending lis message into the night.
Sylvia's eyes sought Brunton's. his won
| derirg, hers lanbent with mntcrnal
ecstasy.
MY lallyr she said--Mary Stuart
Boyd In Black and White.