The Parker post., 1913-09-06

ond story of some business Offices she
saw Agatha's hat.
There was no mistaking that hat,
There could not possibly have been
another like it in Stapleton. And the
IRONY of the situation lay in the fact
that the hat was nodding at the win
dow of Toms office.
There we're few people in the
street, and nobody noticed Sylvia
clinging, with pale face and trembling
limbs, to a corner of the building Op-
posite. She could not tear her eyes
away from what she saw. And a mo-
ment or two later she saw Agatha's
filmy lace handkerchief pressed to her
eyes, saw Agatha's head bowed upon
her hands, and saw Toms hand pat
ting her cousins shoulder consOl-
ingly.
After awhile Sylvia summoned
strength to go home. She did not tell
anybody what she had seen. She wrote
little note to Tom that evening.
Il find that | made a mistake" she
said. Il thought l loved you, Tom,
but l was wrong. Please do not call
or write to me, and never ask me to
explain
She knew Tom was too proud not to
take her at her word. And the next
two weeks were miserable ones, for
she herself was too proud to let Aga
tina know how she was suffering.
We'll, l must say l don't think
much of that Sweetheart of yours, Syl-
via," said Agatha. IF | were engaged
to young man l should expect him
to come to see me every evening. And
here it must be couple of weeks
since he has put in an appearance"
Sylvia did not make the retOrt that
was upon the tip Of her tongue: That
on four separate occasions she had
seen Agatha in Toms office. And when
her mother, looking at her searching,
Wv that night, asked her whether any
thing was wrong between Tom and
herself, she denied it miserably and
hurried to her room, that she might
rive way to her tears without re.
rrriction
But everything draws to a close, and
the time was come for Agatha to
heave. The four trunks were packed,
the wonderful hat went into special
box, giving place to a neat travelling
sat, and Agatha was waiting for the
carriage to come to convey her to
the station
Sylvia, DEAR" she said, there isn't
anything wrong between Tom and
yourself, is there?".
"N-no," stammered Sylvia brazenly,
She would never give her cousin the
satisfaction of knowing the harm that
she had wrought.
Because" said Agatha, II wouldn't
have engaged his services if | had
reason to believe he was going to be
unkind to you
Engaged his . services, Agatha?"
asked Sylvia, bewildered.
Yes, dear. You know l didn't like
my lawyer, Wagstaff, who, between
ourselves, hadn't been quite straight
with me. So / thought: Here's $500
worth of law business going begging,
and why shouldn't Tom Darragh have
it and be able to start housekeeping
with nest egg in the bank? Only,
I'm afraid he must think me dread
full goose, Sylvia. Because, the first
time | went to his office l began con-
trasting him in my mind with Rich
ard, and thinking what a lucky girl
you were-and l just broke down and
cried. Why-Sylvia!"
For Sylvia was crying, too, and
when the cab arrived she had only
just begun to explain. She was so
remorseful that she did not notice the
direction which the cab was taking
until it stopped outside Toms office.
And them
Il can't go in, Agatha. l dare not.
I'll write to Tom"
We'll, now, you just sit still and
I'll bring Tom out to you," said Aga
tina sternly And when, minute later,
the door opened and Tom came In.
Sylvia clung to him, sobbing and re-
pentant.
20, Tom, what a goose l was. Can
you ever forgive me?" she asked.
"On one condition." he answered.
That you marry me next month"
"On one condition" said Sylvia do
cilely.
Which is-?"
That Cousin Agatha shall be
bridesmaid"
(ConvrIeht 1913 nv w G. Chapman)