Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-03-13

~oA, aware OF anoth.
SulpIa Landis pds er presence near,
turitiny at desk he turned around
in the corner. In his chair. Syl
via Lands was writing at a desk In
the corner. and she looked up. nodding
the little greeting that she always re-
served for him even after five minutes
separation
I'm writing checks" she said. II
suppose you're writing to your moth
er."
"why do you think sol" he asked
curiously
"lou write to her every day. don't
YOU"
Yes" he said. But how do you
know"
She locked at him with unblushing
deliberatiOn You wrote every day.
II 1t was to woman. | wanted to
know. And | told Grace Ferrali that
1t worried me. And then Grace told
me. Is there any other confession of
my own pettiness that can make to
you"
Did you really care to whom ! was
writing?" he asked slowly.
Care: lit worried me. Was 1t
not pitifully common impulse? Sis
tiers ulr!er our skin you know-l and
the maid who dresses me. She would
have snooped; didn't; that's the only
generic difference. | wanted to know
Just the SAME, But that was before
Before whatT
Before I-please don't ask me to
say it, | did once when you asked
me-"
Before you cared for me-is that
what you meanT'
Yes You are so cruelty literal when
you wish to punish me. You are inter-
rupting me too. | owe that wretched
Kemp Ferral lot Of money. and I'm
trying to find out how much seven and
nine are to close accounts with Ma
rion Page"
Siward turned and continued his
writing And when the little sheaf of
checks was ready be counted them,
laid them aside and drawing II fiat
packet of fresh bank notes from his
portfolio, counted out the tips expect
ed of him below stairs. These arrang-
ed for he Strengthened up and glanced
over his shoulder at Sylvia. but she
was apparently absorbed In couniinG
something on the ends of her fingers
SO he turned smilingly to his desk and
wrote long letter to his mother-the
same tender, aifectlonately b0yish let
ter he had always written her. full of
condolences. full Of humor, gayly antic
ipating his own return to her on the
heels Of the letter.
In his first letter to her from Shot
over he had spoken casually of Miss
Lands. 1t seemed the name was IA
miliar enough to his mother who ask
ed about her. and he had replied In
another letter or two, trihe EN-
phatic In his praise Of her. because
from his mothers letters it was quite
evident that she knew good deal con
corning the very unconventional af
fairs of Sylvia's family.
OF his swift and somewhat equivo
cal courtship he had had nothing t.
say in his letters. In fact, recently he
had nothing to say about Sylvia at all
reserving that vital confidence for the
clear sympathy and understanding
which he looked forward to when he
should see her and which, through
dark days and bitter aftermaths
through struggle and defeat by his
master vice. had never failed him yet
never fatered for an instant
So he brought his letter to close
with a tender and uneasy inquiry
concerning her health. which, she hat
intimated. was not exactly satisfacto
~, and for that reason she had open
ed the house in town in order to b.
near DR.. Grisby, their family doctor.
Sealing and directing the letter, b,
looked up to see Sylvia standing at Iii
elbow. She dropped light hand OIL
bis shoulder for. second. barrel,
touching him-a fugitive caress. deli
cate as the smile lowering on her lips
as the shy tenderness in her eyes
More letters to your sweetheart?
she asked, abandoning her hand t
him.
"One more, the last before | see hel
wish you could see her. Sylvia"
~ wish so, too" she answered sim
ply. seating herself Oh the arm Of hi
chair as though it were sidesaddle
'Would she care for me, do yo
think" asked the girl in low voice
II think SO, for your real self"
II know. She could only feel con
tempt for me as | am"
''She is old fashioned" he said rev
erently
THAT means all that Is best In a VIC
man-the old fashion of truth an
faith. the old fashion of honor an
faith in honor, the old, old fashion @
love. All that is best. Stephen; all tina
is worth the love Of a man. Some da
somebody will revive those fashions"
twill you"
"Dear, they would not become me,