New Britain herald., 1924-01-24
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

i NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY | l thought, Now to tell her the 1 truth She could do me no harm.
 She might carry weapon, but I was
 ready for her. Perhaps to save her
 but. I don't know why, my
 courage failed mo, or rather I real
 ized that it was no good. Behind
 this smooth forehead lay an idea
 which had eaten up every impulse.
 There was no moving her; I knew only too well how strongly women
 hold to an idea when they possess
 only. one. So. instead, we talked of
 the brilliant night, where now the
 moon hung low, like a pan of pallid
 jade. I found in Sylvia an uneX-
 pected poetic strain. She saw the future, when her cause had tri-
 umphed. as one when mankind would l no longer suffer. when no woman would weep, when no beast would be overladen. It was mad and beauti-
 ful, this dream. At last I couldn't bear it any more, and, turning to her ! said: Its awful to think that in- side S6 hours you may be . well. dead. And you're young. and you're so lovely. l think you're the loveli- est creature I've ever seen. You make my heart melt"
 She pressed my arm: You're making love to me, aren't you? But l don't mind .. Godfrey. We shan't last long. I'm sad, too, to think that so soon you may die.
 like you. Something goes soft in my throat when l hear your voice."
 We reached Lansdowne Passage and passed between the close walls. l could not help saying it: Sylvia, do we love each other so soon?"
 "l don't know" she replied, after moment. I've never seen you be- fore. suppose you've just joined. Whats the good of it, anyway?"
 Indeed. what was the good Of il? We went silently up the steps into Berkeley Street. l saw a taxi crawl up. It drew up, waited for us."
 Good night" murinured Sylvia, extending her hand.
 I helped her in. Don't go yet"
 T must. Good night" She snatched her hand away; the driver opened the taxi door. Then Sylvia turned and ran back to me. leading me into the darkness under the nar- row roof. As if gratifying q sudden desire, she flung her arms round my neck and pressed upon my lips vio- lent, desperate kiss There was in her grasp some agony, and in her earess a purpose, as if thus she filled l me with enthusiasm and fortitude.
 ".
 I slept badly. The violent caress l disturbed me; 1 don't think I loved | sylvia really; l don't think so now: 1 now that another but this 1 must tell in a later story. My ex- citement was so intense that did not l know what l wanted to do. Indeed, | it was only when l reached Mivart's. | a few minutes before one, that I | knew l could not go on. that for a moment ] had been bewitched, but | that even for her sake I could not do murder, risk all that murder in- l wolves. l knew that within an hour or so I must extricate myself from | this appalling complication. For 1 could do so.
 Lunch was charming. Sylvia ap- peared in a coat and skirt or tete de | negrc marocains trimmed at the neck and wrists with kolinsky sable. The coat fell upon rather lighter silk jumper; she looked boyish and deli .ate, though rather tall; her neck still had the thinncss of youth. Ii vas incredible that this little hand should be imbrued in blood. At first we talked lightly of the plays Of the lay; Of the advantages Of London 1Ner Petrograd, and of the dulInpss with New York and Paris We made comments on tbe other unchers: l was amused. for some Of he adverse remarks hit one or two 'f my acquaintsfccs. Only at the md did Sylvia insist upon reciting 'ur plans for tho next morning. was agreed. We sat back 'Fer coffee and benedictlnc. a strange pair Of conspirators. She was 4 little lushod; the rcd mouth was smiling. or moment thought of going on. jut knew that was absurd. Now Q sbattcr the crystal cdiffce of the lream; said: sylvia. hope this won't bc too much of q shock to you, ut I'm not what you think"
 What" she said. in strained whisper.
 I'm not No. 2. I didn't exactly Snow what No. [ was. No wonder on had not seen me before, and that 'ou thought my lof had been drawn y proxy. By occupation I am a 'eTson of no occupation. Dancing, rolf. and gossip make up my exist nee. I am fairly well on: the last hing desire is the destruction of my emperor. or the oversetting os he social order"
 She was staring at me: "But yoI aid you were
 f'No. You said it."
 But you called me No. 5t"