Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-30
cerned. Lady Editha had never hs

cerned. Lady Editha had never had
depth enough to warn her daughter that
there can be no greater danger for a
woman than to be perfectly assured that
she has her affections in hand. and that
to think so at eighteen is more likely
than not to be disastrous. To theortze
about life in youth is to dig pitfalls. Still
it requires prodigious effort Of will to
throw away such golden prospect. Sybil
had imagined that she could show her
self the equal of a brilliant n1ounte-
bank. that in this comedy Of mock love
she could be as sparkling and original
as her partner, that she would play Col
umbine to his Harlequin. and that her
tons of those fairy people: but she did
not want to pretend to act any longer.
and was seized with a sudden terror lest
Harlequin had never meant anything else
1t was better that he should not have
meant anything else, she told herself:
nothing could come Of it, and yet this
was not to be admitted. even in moments
of complete solitude, without sudden
| rush Of pain: indeed. the little lady who
had considered herself as unimpression-
able as finely cut diamond was caught
in the very weaknesses OF her own con-
ceit and proved to be malleable flesh
and blood She was paying very dearly
for that ecstatic scene in the little draw
ing room In Curzon street. She was
really afraid that brooding over Anthony
| would spoil her looks. II he were such a
genius as everybody said. why did he not
do something wonderful and come for
ward and claim her? Perhaps he did
not want to claim her OF course. in her
| innermost self she knew that this was not
true, but for the purpose OF wrecking
her nerves it was a sufficient possibility.
She sat herself down on a low wall
which commanded view OF that part OF
the county. and F'rant formally Joined
her. He had been in the habit. since his
arrival at Cammarleigh. of taking her
for walk after breakfast. He felt that
he was expected to ask her, and she felt
him. He was smoking cigar. This Of
Tended her sense Of fitness. Anthony did
not smoke cigars after breakfast. and she
realized that she would never as long as
she lived associate the scent Of Egyptian
cigarettes from a certain tone OF blue
green flannel which smart tailor had
cut most perfectly to Anthony's figure.
Frant was wondering what had become
of what he had considered the delirium
Of the early days of his engagement.
There's a view rather like this at
Frant. Don't you remember it,
| Sybil felt A sudden dislike for people
who Instituted scenic comparisons, and
| said that she did not.
II don't think YOU thought very much
| Of Frant. did your
IT'S very stately" said sybil. politely
Yes. it rather reminds one Of town
hall. doesn't it? My father always said
| that"
| The alustion to Frant somewhat COM
forted Sybil. Although she had not
shown much enthusiasm. to be mistress
of such magnificence would be no small
| triumph. For the space OF quite thirty
seconds the thought Of Frant Palace
+ blotted out Anthony. but with incredible
swiftness it's lordly turrets and towers.
| its stately terraces and colossal and hid
eous architectural design faded away.
leaving her mental vision occupied in
stead by figure with magnetic charm
| In bluegreen flannel Frant droned on.
experiencing considerable difhcufty In
| finding subjects for conversation. The
fact that he should have considered 1t
necessary to converse at all when he Ia d
| nothing to say was proof positive that
| they did not get on together. for what
| two lovers ever felt the need Of CONVEX
sation? Frant was thinking that II she
would only give him a chance he would
convey as delicately as possible that he
| rather thought they had made a mistake.
| At 80 advanced a stage 1t was quite i'm
| possible for him to make the least re-
treat without being given the initiative.
(1o be continued tomorrow