Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-20
By ROY HORNlMLAN,
.lory OF her Gig hteen

summers
We are alone-that is the great point"
said Anthony and that being the case
we are perfectly happy"
She raised her eyebrows perceptihlv as
If she intended TO convey the slightest
amount of surprise that he should hava
underlined the situation in this way She
was not quite sure that the remark was
in keeping with the absolutely delicate
touch with which he had hitherto treated
their relations
Tea was brought in. and until they were
alone again they talked commonplace
With the arrival of tea SYPHILIS Yorkshirs
terrier hastily descended from his mis-
tress' lap and scrambled on to Anthonys
knee.
You mustn't feed George
Il never feed George--he feeds himself
out Of my hand"
Having made her protest in favor Of
Georges figure. Sybil said:
Il remained at home because there was
something ! wanted to think out"
Did 1t require thinking OUT
IF you had been asked TO marry" said
Sybil. planting what she considered n
bombshelI into Anthonys camp. "wouldn
you give II some considerations"
1T all depends who had asked me-" re-
piled Anthony. Nobody has ever asked
me to marry her. although for the
life of me | have never been able TO sea
why woman who Is In a position to keep
a man comfortable will not say re-
spectably-shouldnt have the privilege Of
proposing. Stay. there was a middle aged
lady who used to play duchesses and
things of that sort on the stage. Behind
the footlights she was quite convincing.
and a chronic affection OF the tonsils
made her delivery irresistibly comic. She
! tried to dazzle me by suggesting that her
salary was enough for two
Why didn't you accept asked Sybil.
mischievously.
oh" said Anthony imperturbably
while | was thinking about il she had
. her tonsils cut out. and with the i'm
provement in her voice her humor and
her money value disappea red. so I had a
lucky escape.
How very sad said SybiI. with mock
sympathy and A twinkle in her eye.
Most of our actors and actresses de-
pend for their individuality on some vocal
defect. and fair number on physical de-
formty
Anthony still reserved the stiletto for
his former profession.
You have not answered my question"
Well. l don't think If had been asked
10 be duchess that should give it much
consideration. | should say yes. and am
sure that you will do the same because
you are grasping.
Sybil. without however. the least trace
Of offense in her voice.
Because we are both grasping."
will you advise me-" she asked.
Anthony stroked George affectionately.
Il don't think that Is quite nice Of You.
Are we the people to give each other ad-
vice?
What do you mean?
IF / We're the Duke Of Frant would you
marry me? Or, walt, I'll put it in an
other way
g. The delicate morsel Of bread and but
ter which was on its way to SYPHILIS
| mouth was arrested in mdair.
You must be mad.
Alt
are mad. 1t seems to me absolutely alb
surd not to admit frankly that we love
each other"
Even Sybil. self-possessed as she was.
was amazed at such assurance. and vet
she felt that Anthony might be trusted
not to betray her to herself. She was
hardly able to answer him. So long az
he was sitting where ne was she felt safe.
She would not have been a woman If in
her heart of hearts she had not to a GER
tain extent been carried away by his au
dacity. She took an unconscionable time
drinking her cup OF tea. and was glad
that Anthony kept his eyes fixed on
George.
marry the duke. as there Is not the least,
likelihood of your marrying me. Still. we
are under particular obligation to
marry the person We are in love with, are
WEI
Il think" said Sybil lit is exceedingly
unkind Of you TO talk to me in this way.
Things are easy and straighten them
selves out If they are not talked about"
Don't tell me that there is any harm
in speaking the truth" said Anthony. II
have found the experiment quite refresh
ing. He was wondering what would
happen IL he took Sybil in his arms and
kissed her
1T will be rather nice to be a duchess
at eighteen" said Sybi
Yes. you might be a widow at twenty
one
And yet do you believe that ali that
sort Of thing makes up for love? You
see, I'm very young. and can hardly be
expected to know.
Well said Anthony. I've had great
deal Of experience of love. but / haven't
had any experience of that sort of thing,
, you call it,
Sybil at once became very interested in
nthony's heart experiences.
1T doesn't seem much Of compliment
TO be loved by you. she said.
Il don't know. To be loved by some
body who is young enough not to have
lost fervor. and who is experienced
enough to have a cultivated taste would
seem to show more special homage"
THAT sounds very affected" said Sybil
Sometimes indeed. I think you really
affected"
'At such times your powers of discern
una ba shed.
Il don't believe that you could be in
love- And Miss Travers grew a little
fearful. After all. the situation was ex-
tremely difficult To be- seated so near
10 a young man who had the strongest
physical attraction for her. and to have
the knowledge that he could never be
anything 10 her-at any rate, for some
months-was very trying.
Anthony looked at her reproachruily
and not even Sybl could have accused
him of being affected when. with all the
guile gone out of his face. an intense eN-
preston of youthful ardor in his long.
narrow eyes. he leant forward and muir
INJURED:
Don't say that because it is not true
If things were different you would see
that il is not true.
thongs avowal that she was merely al
lowing a few hours Of decent maidenly
hesitation TO elapse before promising her
hand to the Duke of Frant. and thai
Lady Editha had gone of to Raneiagh
perfectly happy in the assurance that her
daughter was to be brilliantly provided
for. and congratulating herself that
heaven did not always desert and neglect
the helpless widow, compelled TO make
both ends meet a paltry pittance OF
three thousand five hundred a year. or
course. SYPHILIS trouSseau would he a ter
rible tax. and she was already beginning
to consider the possibility of persuading
Cammarleigh to provide the means. II
would be very unlike him. but there WAS
dear Mr.. Brooke-or Cousin Anthony. as
the case might be-who seemed to be able
to do anything with her brother. Per
haps his services might be available. AT
any rate. Sybil was no doubt at that mo-
he -tuh IN