Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-30

Cynthia peeked up with a smile of welcome as I came in.
 Good afternoon" I said, i've call ed about the little account"
 She waved an ncomparably molded arm in the direction of a chair on the other side of the tea table near the ire.
 Do sit down. MT. Ponsonby, and have some tea and try not to be silly" she urged.
 "I will sit down and I will have some tea," I said obediently; "but I don't dare to hope or to suppose that shan't be silly"
 Cynthia daintily nibbled things while I drank tea in silence.
 Tt is very charming of you to come and see me, MT. Ponsonby. I was just beginning to feel dreadfully lone ly." she said. What good angel made you arrive at such an oppor- tune moment?"
 Business" I said laconically.
 Cynthia took up another iced indi- gestible and looked across at me in perplexity.
 know you had any business"
 But I have,' I retorted; and it concerns you"
 Concerns mel" she said, astonish- ed. 'How?"
 Tt concerns you" I repeated dog gedly, "and a little account"
 "O,' said Cynthia, with an air of relief Its that nonsense you were talking when you came in.
 Tt isn't nonsense" I protested; its very serious. The account in question Is three quarters overdue, and I am here to demand an early settlement" l added, with frown.
 If it's a conundrum I give it up," said Cynthia, with charming air of resignation.
 I cleared my throat in a profes- sional manner and frowned at her.
 You will doubtless remember" said, in firm, bus1nesslike tones, that some nine months ago I put g cer tain very important question to you hcnor of becoming Mrs. Ponsonby. One moment" I said sternly, as Gym thia made as if to speak. Allow me to continue. The-er-propositio did not appeal to you. Tn other words, to quote Stock Exchange phraseology, there was nothing doing"
 "Is that a Stock Exchange phrase?" asked Cynthia doubtfully.
 The Ponsonby family motto being Never surrender I refused to be beaten" I went on, disregarding Gym thia's irrelevant outburst, "I intimated to you then that you owed a debt to society in general, and to myself in particular, that could only be dis charged by agreeing to my proposi- tion, and I warned you that I should call IOunu lO SOlISCl lIldI OCOI uIl1l it was paid"
 Ponsonby," gurgled Cynthia, as she deftly beheaded a cake. Tt sounds quite romantic"
 "That debt has never been paid" I said reprovingly. 'I called round on Lady Day and at Midsummer, and now Michaelmas is but a memory, and still"
 And there is nothing doing cried Cynthia. leaning back luxurious And still the debt is unpaid" I amended with another frown. T am here to demand a settlement in full.' Cynthia leaned two dimpled arms on the table and eyed me solemnly. like you very much-very much in- deed-but-"
 'tAs you still refuse to recognize the liability, shall have to make another demand next quarter day." I said de- terminedly. T shall apply formally every three months until the account Much better wipe it off the books 5 said Cynthia. Do try a muffin before they get cold" wrung my hands in anguish. q ask for sweet consolation and the payment of debt and you offer me partially cold muf1ns," I said re- proachfully. Its all I can offer you today, MT. Ponsonby," said Cynthia. Now, do be sensible about it. I'll be a sister to you
 1 pondered for a few minutes. well brigtening up "The position of a brother to very pretty sister carries with it certain privileges" For instance?" inquired Cynthia. "The privilege of kissing her." I said ofnnd 1ly Qd over to her. Cynthia waved me away with pro- testing hands.
 Not this kind of sister," she de- talk to you. You will dnd some very nice little girl, much more worthy than am, and-'' They all say that,'' observed
 whats that?" demanded Cynthia
 I mean it is the stock phrase" l said hastily. i've read about 1t in books and things
 You will find some nice little girl ,'' went on Cynthia. still rather suspi- ciously, marry her, and" And live unhappily ever after" l said, determined to be miserable at all l costs. got my hat and stick. But she must be really nice, of course" said Cynthia decisively look HE dI Il0 QOuDlIully, cS II IlOl QultS certain that l was capable of making a selection. Come and see me again when you've found her and I'll tell you what I think of her." I took her hand dejectedly. Mot even one?" I pleaded mournfully. ''One ewhat?" said Cynthia, in be- wilderment.
 -One little kiss" I begged. "A purely brotherly salute.' Cynthia looked bewitchingly per plexed for moment. Well. just tiny little one," she conceded demurely. I've got something on account, al any rate" I said, with great satisfac- ton, as I went out. Three weeks later dropped in again for tea "You have not been to see me for g. month"; she said re- proachful1y.
 Three weeks and day." cor rected.
 But why?" she demanded imperi- ous1y.
 I've been busy" explained, look ing round for Mrs. Ponsonby." "O!" said Cynthia, not seeming al all so enthusiastic and interested as expected she woud be. And Eve found her." I said tri- umphantly.
 "O!" said Cynthia, still less enthus- | iastically, and with an obvious entire