The suburban citizen., 1900-07-07

preston or her race.
"No," l said. "why, know of two
persons who are living just such a TO.
nance"
"Who are they?" she asked quickly.
"That would be telling" l replied,
"But your characteristic they drawn
from real life?"
"MOst Of them are" she said.
"What does your heroine look like?
Give me n description Of her. sup
pose she is a blonde, with chemical
hair and blue eyes"
"The very opposite" said Sybil.
"Goodp l exclaimed enthusiastic
cally. "a brunette is my ideal"
Sybil glanced at me sharply. She is
one of the farest OF blondes. l did not
meet her gaze, but stared dreamily at
the figures on the ceiling.
81 suppose she looks very much like
Pauline McGrath," l continued.
mot in the leastm contradicted Sy-
bill. "She is much prettier than Pau.
line"
"So?" said 1. "Why, think Miss
McGrath is very beautiful girl"
"Do you?" retorted Sybll, with
clouded brow. Then, a moment later
1T seems to me that you have come
to see me just to be disagreeable
l wish you'd CO."
Now, such words from any lips but
Sybils would have frozen me in an
instant. But 1 knew her too well.
| no. hnn
intending to be very pleasant. But
the turn which affairs took quite made
me forget my mission"
Il saw that Sybil was becoming in
terested,s l continued:
"The truth is, have decided to get
married"
ITO whomY gasped Sybil.
"Oh, 1 haven't made up my mind
on that yet. 1 came over to see
whether you might not have compass.
sion on me.
Don't be silly Don," she warned
"rm not" 1 said gravely. Don't
you love me, Sy?"
"Yes, of course" she replied quick.
ly, "as a"
Second cousin should" I finished.
She laughed a little Historically.
"Then you will marry me, Sy?" !
said slowly.
''No, don't think can," said she.
"And why mott" asked, 81 sup
pose your book has so absorbed your
thoughts as to leave none for mar
riage"
THAT Is about true" she confessed.
"There is only one thing that l de.
sire, and that is to become famous"
Then l burst into a hearty laugh.
Sybil looked very much surprised.
you do not know how happy you
have made me-" said, still laughing.
Happy" repeated Sybil, wonder
ingly.
"Yes," I answered. mo doubt you
think l ought to feel quite forlorn and
cut up. But I'm not. Quite the re-
verse, assure you"
l paused to note the effect Of this,
my last card. There was a look Of
mingled anger and amazement on Sy.
bills face.
"You see, Sybil." 1 continued, 81
was really afraid you had learned to
care for me. You remember the last
three summers at the seasbore" She
nodded. "And the past two winters
in the city?" Sne nodded again. "Well,
considering all that, 1 am truly glad
1 have not awakened any other feel
ings than those Of friendship"
l saw her vince at that, and 1 felt
my conscience goading me, but l
had to carry out my lie.
"Of course" l ratified on, "if had
found that you loved me, 1 should
have married you. AS it is, however,
l am free to follow my own sweet
will" And arose to take my leave.
you're not going, DOnY she said.
eyes" l answered. II must make
another call. And since you are my
best frlend"--I emphasized the word
-"I may confide a little secret to you.
l truly believe that Pauline McGrath
cares for me, and am going over now
to find out"
Sybll did not speak, and l went into
the hallway to get my top coat. I was
putting it on when l detected the rus
tie of skirts behind me. 1 pretended
not to have heard, however, and
hummed a few bars Of a light song
while arranging my tie before the
dresser.
"Don! said a low voice behind me.
"Come to offer your congratulations
already?" l said. Don't be too GER
tain as to my fate
"Don." repeated the voice, with a
noticeable catch in 1t. II believe
there is something l would rather be
than a great writer"
rs there% I cried jo-fully. And
l removed my top coat again.
"But your ioeal" said Sybil, after
few minutes had elapsed
"Oh," said l. "such things are pleas
ant subjects for day dreams, but We
never meet them In real life. Beside
1 added softly, zone may change his
ideal"
There was another bllssful pause.
"How about your novel, Sybil2 Wha