New Britain herald., 1926-05-21

It was one of those heavenly spring days that are trcsher and greener and sunnier tha many of the days that come in midsummer. The clouds were silver-white and the sky was softly blue behind them. It was a day to make your heart sing, no matter how badly life hap pened to be treating you-and Sylvia's actually did begin to sing with the sheer joy of being alive on day like this as she and Peter rolled along.
 They built a huge fire in an open space in the very middle of the woods and by the time the sun had set and the night was beginning to creep through the trees it was a mass of glowing embers-just the kind of fire for broiling steaks. Wouldn't it be fun 10 live like this-out in the open, all the time, Peter?" Sylvia asked as she began 10 grease the frying pans with a piece of buttered wax paper. Don't you think it would be lots more fun than being mewed up in houses?"
 Peter looked at her solemnly.
 T can think of nothing more grand he said with a queer, thoughtful look. provided it was with you that I was living with"
 Sylvia glanced up at him, startled. There was no laughter in those teas- ing. violet eyes of hers now. Peter had never seen them so grave in his life before.
 I'd make good husband Sylvy" he promised, "homely men make the grandest husbands in the world, you know. They don't step ont"
 Hush" Slyvia raised her hand, Tets not spoil things. Being friends with you is the incest thing in my life, Peter-but that's all it ever can be--just friendship, eee?"
 If Peter saw he didn't say so. He silently almost glumly. filled his pipe and didn't open his mouth until the first of the picnickers ar- rived.
 They were Sally March and a New Man. A Yale man. so Sally said privately to Sylvia And he's just mad about me-" she added. T sup. pose that the minute Fay Shirley lamps him she'll try to lure him from me, but she'll have some time doing it! Is it true that she and Randall Phelps have busted their engagement"
 Sylvia's heart leaped, but she went on cutting bread and butter as calm- ly as Werther's Charlotte" T guess they haven't" she said. When I asked them to come to- i night they said they'd come together. That looks as if they.were still pretty good friends doesn't it?"
 Sally nodded. "Yes, but you never can tell" she said. vaguely, Sally had been engaged almost as many times as Fay herself"
 However. at 9 o'clock neither Fay nor Ran Phelps had arrived.
 "What'll We do about it?" Peter asked Fay, coming up to her as she stood a little apart from the others. | peerlng into the darkness.
 Lets eat!" bawled tthe man from Yale. I'm going to take mouth- full of moss in minute If some- one doesn't give me FOOD"
 And so they gathered around the glowing fire and began their meal.
 The steaks were done to a turn and the smothered onions would have done credit to French chef. Peter, who had cooked them, was proud of himself.
 T didn't know had 1t in me" he admitted. modestly.
 Your picnic's a darb, Sylvy!" Eddie Carter said afterward when everyone was busy packing the plates and silver and grills into the auto- mobiles.
 Then his fat voice sank to a whis- per. Say, but listen. what do you suppose happened to Fay? She told me this afternoon that she was com- ing out with Ran Phelps at s o'clock
 Sylvia raised her arched eyebrows. "I don't know where they can be" she answered, Sally March says she heard that they've broken their en- gagement. But my own private bet with myself is that they've run away 10 be married"
 l (Tn Re Contin,IedN