The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17

asked Aubrey, in a voice that had q queer note in It.
 "Yes. you are so tired!' said Beryl. Ask father to excuse you.
 Henry Trant answered them in his calm, cheerful voice.
 T hate manngeringi But I'll come back before prayers. l may find you here, BerNl, eh? Unless you've been quarreling with Aubrey again."
 They did not notice the tremulous sound of his laughter, nor the way in which his eyes searched their q mustn't stay later than 8 o'clock said Beryl
 "Oh, I'll be back before then"
 He seized a book, put paper weight on the Latin exercises, told Aubrey to light the other lamps. and then went towards the door On the way he took Beryl Furnaby's hand, and raised it to his lips.
 How cold your hand is, Harry" said Bery1. It's as cold as ice"
 He smiled at her, and then went swiftly from the room.
 For minute or two Beryl Furna- by and Aubrey Trant stood quite still in the dusk. and in the silence of the room.
 "Aubreyi What shall we do? What are We going to do2"
 She wrung her hands in hope less, despairing way.
 I'm hanged if l know" the boy answered her gloomilE. Its fright full If Harry weren't the best of brothers, the dearest old chap in the world"
 I've mustn't tell him" said Bery1,
 She sat down in the school mas ter's horse-hair chair, with her | hands gripping it's mahogany arms.
 It would smash him." said Au- | brey; and he gave a deep groan. | God knows l didn't want this to happen. And although it's the most glorious thing in the world"
 oh Aubrey" said Beryll, who would have thought that when we ! began to quarrel it was because we were afraid of beginning to love?" T know" said Aubrey. But you quarreled so deliciouslY!"
 "Oh. l behaved abominably. and l you were just as bad. You said the most horrible things, and teased me until l wanted to hit you"
 T wanted to play the game by old ! Harry. l knew l was drifting into the most tremendous love for you. ! It was like great tide carrying me eff my feet. So I behaved like d barbarian and tried to make you hate me"
 T did hate you little, until sud- denly I knew l loved you"
 1t was that night when we look ed into each others eyes Something in your eyes frightened me, caught hold of my soul. And I knew that something in my eyes scared you. I think We had been hiding from each other-and then each was dis covered It Was Fate, or some- thing"
 Aubrey went our and sat on the edge of the cane chair, and the girl clasped his knees, and leant her head against him, The boys head dropped over her coiled hair.
 We're in a fix" he said, "an ap- pallng fix"
 Beryl Furnaby vas crying a little
 Harry loves me with all his soul I am everything in the world tc him. And now I'm ashamed to look 1 into his eyes. For a week we have been deceiving him. pretending tc ! keep up our quarrels. Supposing he finds out? Oh, Aubrey!'
 He mustn't find out" said Au- brey, Good God. what would be think of me? Only tonight he was tell ing me how you had changed things for him. made him young again given him the glory of life. And come down here like a thief, to steal his happiness, and after all he's done for me. l cant face 1t. I should fec cad for the rest of my life.
 w must go on nlulnS OurSelNeSi said Beryl. Perhaps God will be good to us and make us forget each other
 T will 80 tomorrow" said Aubrey "by the first train. Harry will nevel know"
 Then suddenly he was down upol hls knees before the girl, with hi. arms about her!'
 "BeryI, my sweetheart! How can leave you? Hoy can I give up al that's made the world sing with joy&"
 She put her arms about his neck
 Aubrey if only l had met you first! God was unkind to us in keep ing you back until I was pledged tc Harry. can't let you go, can't
 They were but q boy and girl face to face with the tragic irony of life Their tears in tho half-darkness oi clasped each other. Belonged to yoT. b touched for the first time by trageI
 Suddenly Beryl Furnaby sat up and listened,
 footstep orUnched on the gravel outside the window.