Evening star., 1915-01-31

about with other young people, and enjoy
ing yourself That's the way to keep young.
Why, you'll be little old maid in no time!'
That doesn't terrify me in the least
Sybil assured her, smiling. Il don't at all
believe that old maids have such very bad
time-not the sort of old maid fancy my
self as being.
"All the same. it isn't natural Mrs.
Levenden persisted. Except for-forglve
me, Dear for mentioning his name, won't
youo-Sir .Jermyn Annerley, you are never
seen out with anyone at all.
There is no one else Sybil replied,
whom | care to be seen out with. Sir Jer-
myn is always interesting. We have our
work to talk about, and many other things"
But, bless the girl!7 Mrs. Levenden ex-
claimed, 1T isn't good thing to be seen out
with no one except one man! There's safety
in numbers, you know. Come and spend
the weekend with us-this weekend, now.
Harry has some young men coming down,
and we'll stir things up"
Sybil laughed and shook her head. Il
know your parties are delightful, she said;
"lout thev are not for me-"
NEVERTHELESS Sybil thought of her
friends advice that morning when she
took her usual walk in the park. Although
she would never have confessed it to Ier-
myn, in those days she was very conscious
of missing the great things of life. The very
brilliance of the season, the perfume and
color of the flowers, the soft blue sky, the
sunshine and the mild west wind, all seemed
charged to her sometimes with a sort OF deli
cate mockery, spurious, fantastlc invita-
ton toward the delights of life whose gates
were closed to her. She watched the faces
OF the young girls whom she met, SO many
of them with young men of their own age.
Were these things indeed passing her by9
She was exactly in this mood, standing
on the edge of the curbstone, preparing to
cross the road, when great motorcar drew
up almost beside her, and young man
leaned from his place at the driving wheel,
with uplifted hat.
Good morning, Miss Cluley!"
She recognized him at once; although the
very thought of his name gave her faint
shiver 1t was Gerald Lakenham. He
looked at her little eagerly.
Il wondered" he said difidently, 1seeing
you alone, Miss Cluley-I wondered whether
/ couldn't tempt you for just short spin?
I've got a new cara perfect beauty. She
goes-well, just get in and let me put her on
fourth speed down the Bayswater Road. Do!'
Sybil hesitated only for moment. After
ward it seemed amazing to her that she
should have consented. "I11 come,7 she
decided. Il think should love it. The car
does look beauty"
The boys face was flushed with pleasure.
He handed her in, and the chauffeur left his
side and entered the tonneau.
"You wouldn't rather be behind, would
you?" he inquired little doubtfully. Il
don't think IS half such fun myself. There's
a wind shield, and you haven't very large
hat, have you?'
a am sure shall like it better here, she
declared.
The great car glided off, took its place
among the line of other vehicles, and shot
out into Bayswater Read like live thing.
Sybil, after moments nervousness, began
to feel the exhilaration of it.
what time have you to be back?' he
asked her.
aAny reasonable time" she answered.
ats about eleven now. isn't ite like to
have lunch about one.'
Good" he exclaimed. 1.-TWO hours!
Why, we can scour the country!"
THEY passed a little tediously out of the
suburbs into the country. Then Gerald
turned southwark, and they came to region
Of curving lanes, lanes whose hedges we're
wreathed with dog roses and honeysuckle,