Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-07

sne looked up again trumphantly, sup posing Siward was lingering some where waiting to join her. And she was just trihe surprised and disap. pointed to find him nowhere in sight She had wished him to observe the brilliancy of MT. Quarters game. But Siward, outside on the veranda, was saying at that moment to his hostess, T shall be very glad to read my mothers letter at any time you choose"
 Tt must be later, Stephen. I'm to cut in when Kemp sends for me. He has lot of letters to attend to. Tell me, what do you think of Sylvia Ian. dis ?"
 q like her, of course" he replied pleasantly.
 Grace Ferrall stood thinking a mo. fnent. That sketch you made proved great success, didn't itT' And she laughed under her breath.
 Did 1t? I thought MT. Quarrier seemed annoyed"-
 Really? What muff that cousin of mine is. He's such huff, you know, that the very sight of his point ed beard and pompadour hair and his complacency sets me in f1dgets to stir him up."
 "I don't think you'd best use me for the stick next time," said Siward. Hes not my cousin, you know"
 Mrs. Ferrall shrugged her boyish shoulders: y the way" she said cu- riously, "who was that girl?"
 "What girl? he asked coolly, look ing at his hostess, now the very incar- nation of delicate mockery with her pretty laughing mouth, her boyish sum- burn and freckles.
 You won't tell me, supposeT'
 "Tm sorry
 "Was she pretty, StephenT
 "Yes," she said sulkily. T wish you wouldn't
 Nonsense! Do you think I'm going to let you off without some sort of con- fession? If had time now-but I haven't. Kemp has business letters. He'll be furious, so I've got to take his cards or we won't have any pennies to buy gasoline"
 She retreated backward, with a gay nod of malice, and turned to enter the house and met Sylvia Landis face to face in the hallway.
 You minxw she whispered. Aren't you ashamed?"
 Every much, dear. What for" And. catching sight of Siward outside in the starlight divined perhaps something of her hostess meaning, for she laugh ed uneasily, like child who winces under stern eye.
 You don't suppose for moment" she began, that have"-
 "Yes, do. I>u always do."
 Not with that A>E@ of man." she re- turned naively. He won't"
 Mrs. Ferrall regarded her suspicious ly. You always pick out exactly the wrong man to play with"-
 They had moved back side by side into the hall, the hostess arm linked in the arm of the younger girl
 "The wrong man" repeated Sylvia, instinctively freeing her arm. her straight brows beginning to bend in- ward.
 "I didn't mean that-exactly. You know how much care for his mother and for him." The obstinate down. ward trend of the brows, the narrow ing blue gaze, slgnaled mutiny to the woman who knew her so well.
 What Is so wrong with MT. Si- wardf" she asked.
 Nothing. There was an affair."
 This spring in town. know it. Is that all?"
 "Yes, for the present." replied Grace Ferrhll uncomfortably. Then: For goodness sake, Sylvia, don't cross ex- anime me that way! I care great deal for that boy
 "so do I. I've made him take my dog"
 There was an abrupt pause, and presently Mrs. Ferrall began to laugh. "I mean it, really" said Sylvia quiet ly. q like him immensely"
 Dearest, you mean 1t generously. with your usual exaggeration. You have heard that he has been foolish, and because he's so young, so likable. every instinct. every impulse in you is aroused to-to be nice 10 him.