New Britain herald., 1926-07-01
(NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER LIN

The rain was still sIanting down lin icy sheets when they drove up before Aunt Agony's tall house, gloomily wrapped in mist and twi- light.
 "r.uit a minute" Peter said as they stopped. "Therc's a folding nm- brclla under the seat. Sarah put il there for me. but never Use it."
 As he pulled it out, Sylvia caught q glimpse of a pair of rubbcrs nn- der the seat, and folded raincoat, too. Sarah took care of Peter as if he were her child instead of q gloNn man.
 That WIS why he had never mar ricd, some people thought }nt others, who knew him better guess cd at the real reason for lis ro- maining q bachclor--his devotion to Sylvia Starr Phelps!
 | The devotion of his was often q topic of conversation between Aunt . Agony and Sarah. They both thought that Sylvia had simply }lhrown herself away when she mar ried Randall Phelps.
 Sylvia saw them exchange q knowing glance, as Sarah opened inc door of the house that after noon.
 "WclH" she said 10 them, "1vc . had such lovely lime getting ac- uuafntcd with SNgia, the Second. oh. but shes Ioyely!' She held inc tiny thing in her arms. all wrapped 'up in q pink sh: VI that Aunt Agony had unearthcd from inc attic. A Sylvia put out her arms 10 take her hp' sara, shook her head aud moved step or two back from her.
 NO. don't touch her until you're hands are warm.' she begged, 'aud .lct me keep CT a little while lons'r ynu have her all the time!'
 Sylvia s;w that she really "9s en- towing the baby. And suddenly she realized that .5yvlh's tragedy Was that she never had had q child. For she was one of inc women who were designcd by nature for motherhoon i-nr~n,n. and ci eorful and capable
 She had hcou engaged 10 q soldier .vho h.d died Of yellow fever dur ing 'hc Spanish. American war long .auo. and shl had never looked at au, other man after his death. She .=,W wore his modest diamond or thc plumr third finger of her left hand. ......
 Where sptnstcrHood had sourot Aunt Agony. if had s"ccteucd Sarai Wfk. She was always doing nic' things for people. The halt, the laIn' and the blind. were her specially.
 Moreover. she didn't have 10 h' told when people where in trouble She could s~c when they were "llI her kindly black eyes,
 She saw now. that Sylvia was IT desperate troublr. And. kno"m' something of Aunt Agony, she d" Ictded to stay for supper and che'I ,the poor child up.
 when Sylvia turned toward th' stairs. on her way 10 her room i' .tal,e of her wet wraps, sarah ioI |Inwed her. You want the dear hab, nm there, don't you. Syivy"' sh' asked. and battered along after her
 Al the landing sine stopped for moment and looked down nt Pet" and Aunt Agony in the hall h"Io" "ryr put the macaroni you had io sun5.,r in tho .pu. Agony,' sin ..nid. "I 'a almost six o'ciock--l sup lro,s Pcte~ and might just as wei .eia. and have supper with you an' SyIyy,"
 sylvia ncr | Aunj Agony give ,cncerlces rrunt in reply
 "I'vc lrcn do g a little mcndin' flor ,o,I. VOL scr." sarah said. as sI cam. into Ino bedroom and laid Syl .,ia. thc Second on thc foot of ih rcd.
 Sn. gathered up tb" little sock .,nd nighigowns that she had h"c' working on. alI put them ncau awav in one of Svlyla's bags, "1-ou may as well put them in on of rnc dresser drawers. while your anout if. rah." tae girl said. If" lrsely q thar't he leaving ihi .noue. ;ge L magiue.'
 retcr's sister stood still In th middle of tll room. with her eve ft<ed on syl,ias white face.
 What do you pean'' she asked putting her head 10 one side, an rrickins up her ears.