New Britain herald., 1926-06-16


 For you and Lolly." she eN- plained to Sylvia when she told her about t. "I haven't had any kind Of party for either of you since you wer married, so I'm going 10 hay" this one good one. And I want you to sing.
 Sylvia instantly became shy and nervous at the very though, of sing ing before a crowd Of people.
 "Oh, no, | couldn't, she began.
 Bur Mother Phelps stopped her, wifI nothing more than look from her black eyes. Before that look Syl- via tr"Inbled.
 Mother Phelps was the sort Of person who never took No for all answer. She vas q born leader just as General Porshing or Enmalinc Paukhurst are born leaders. People did what she told them 10 do, or she knew ,h reason why.
 "Nonsonse." sne snapped, "of Cours" yo1'li sing."
 And so on a Sunday afternoon in carly May Sylvia found herself singing for the chatterinG, perfum"d and beplumcd crowd of Mother Phelps friends in Mother Phelps pig liyic room.
 She hn~w that if she looked at any of the guests she would hurst into tears. Her knees trembled and ha. yoire shook wi'h nervousness when she began the song "Eosa in the Bud"
 life is so short. and love is alL I'm thinking" she sang.
 r. vas Rgnny's favorite song and she kept her eyes fastened on him as sra sang. He "aa leaning against, tho uaweI-post of the stairs in the big hall. arG he smiled a' Sylvia as if 10 put courage in her. Then someone stepped between .run and Irr-a tall slender woman in hig green hat with white and green feathers that dripped from if like wet scawcad Mrs. Jane Brack- rtt. in all her glorr. Sho took her place at Eanny's side as if sho be longad 10 him.
 "Oh, I just won't look a' th"m' Sylvia said 10 herself a0grj)y as sh" began fine second verse of Ranny's favorite song. If I do. they'll think I'm jealors.'
 Desperately her eyes sycr' over the crowd Of people. Th"r they fas- tened themselves on a face that shc krcw. A friendly face. with gray" brown eyes that were watching her intantly from across the room.
 There was always something friendly and comforting in Peter WiIk's serious face and his faith ruI brown eyes. And Sylvia had never felt so grateful 10 Peter, and SO close 10 him. as she did no" in this room full Of strangers.
 And if was 10 him that sho went whe., she finished tho song in q storm Of l,id-gloved applause. CHAPTER NNNTN No pr. ma donna on her first night cvcr su >lorrd from sfa@"-friEhi more thar Sylvia did that after noon when she made her way through Nothor rhc)ps' crowded living room with its sea of strange faces that turned to watch her pass. "Porfoctly heavenly Voico,' she heard one woman cNclaim. "I won dor who she was before Eanny mar fried hor,"
 Her knees shook and she felt as if she were trembling inside, too, Sho felt as if she never would roach the corner where Peter stood "aulhS for her. n-ot knowing that she did it. sho put out both hands as she came I'D 10 him, and stood holding them. hraciug herself. l "Oh. Peter, was I all right" How did my voice sound from here? she asked him. breahlessly, ! His eyes told her that 1t had sounded marvellous, to him, at Ioas'. They were full of praise for her. hl' grave brown eyes.
 l "An angel couldn't have sung het- |tor," he said. and Sylvia. knew that ihe believed what he said. She looked around for Ranny. En' he was nowhere in sight. He and Mrs. Bracket had left their place Ibcside inc stairs. Where could they be? Probably across the hall. in the dining room, having some tea ano sandwiches.
 1T wonder if Fanny asked hl' mother 10 invite her here today Sylvia thought idly.
 Then she noticed that slim +Uoman in grey who sat with q groul Fin inc bay window. was speaking l( ,her-saving something that Sylvli ErouIdn't hear above the chatter an( tfbe clatter of tea cups. The woman got up and came toward her.
 "Yo- oi,; is perfectly lovely she said in a sugary voice. Do le me have your telephone number be for you go. I may want to haI' YOU sing for me some time. I'm Mrs Churchill you know
 She said it as if she were sayin' .'Tm Queen Victoria v and wen back to her chair, Sylvia turned to Peter witt laughter lighting the blue depth of her lovely eyes. Isn't that rar' joke? She thinks I'm a professiona singer that Mother Phelps hired 10 inc afternoon," she Tilted.
 Peter glarcd at the back Of tn woman in grey.
 "Thc idiot" he muttered, bu Sylvia stopped him with a smile
 "No, it tickled me to death t Iha,e her think it!" she told him t"Doesn't it prove that my voic isn't so bad, after all?"
 Before they could settle the ques ton Sylvia heard Lolly's gay littl soprano in her ear, and her hand holding a cigaret daintily botwee two fingers, came down on Sylvia shoulder.
 Come here a minute, darling want you," she said. you'll eXcus her for a second, won't you, Peter: And she guided Sylvia through tn close-packed room up the broa