The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-09-20
CHAPTER XIV

CHAPTER XIV
CYBL leaned comfortably back
~ in her deck chair.
Mother wasn't very well you
know, and they packed me off to
boarding school about as soon as ]
could walk. Dad had plenty OF
money then.
"From the beginning I was a
square peg in a round hole. If a
little girl at convent school doesn't
conform to the standard pattern of
propriety, she fits about as we'll as
little skunk at a garden party.
Nobody had much use for me, eX-
cept the Mother Superior-and she
didn't see me often enough to count.
$50 1 grew up into a rebellious,
disseminated child-the product of
my environment. All an accident,
I could have lived at home. Asso-
citation with Tad and my father
would have made a different girl of
me.
"Then when I was IL, I went to
public school for a while. I was
such a misunderstood little wretch,
nobody liked me. OF course I knew
it, and that made me more aiser-
able than ever. I simply couldn't
make friends.
"After a while they sent me to
Miss Middleton'S. And efore I was
there very long, the war began. The
rest Of the girls made Red Cross
bandages, and bought thrift stamps.
"But never was a conformist,
and refused to do my bit They
thought was a Bolshevist, and then
7 got in wrong again. After Easter
vacation I announced that 1 was
through with school-and, for once,
I won out.
IT always worshipped Tad. Well,
he was in France. Another acct
dent. Some maniac killed a grand
duke somewhere. I've forgotten
their names now. Probably every
one else has, too All a crazy acct
dent-and the world went to war.
Then I met John Lawrence. And
I don't believe girl ever loved more
than loved him. We were going
to be married, when they sent his
regiment over. Another accident
missing out that way. I almost
went crazy with grief.
"And pretty soon they told me
he was missing in action Pre-
sunably killed, his lieutenant wrote.
They were getting blown up in col
umnS. Millions of men came
through alive. Tens of thousands
were killed Life or death-it was
just an accident.
II became different person when
I knew John was dead. I had al
ways been an idealistic little thing.
Sort of rebellious and arrogant on
top-but underneath-oh, my dear,
I used to be quite sweet and nice.
But then my hopes died, and my
dreams all my lovely ideals.
''It was after that I started run
ming around and making a fool of
myself. And I got a reputation, you
know. If John had lived, I would
have married him, and been an ex-
emplary little wife. I would have
had three children by this time, and
been model of all mother1y vir-
tues. I was cut out for domesticity,
really.
"Then Daddy died. And Tad
married the wrong girl, And-oh,
my dear. OF course, there's no use
talking, but -.
MABEL patted her hand COM
4Y4 fortingly.
''There, dear. Don't get yourself
all excited.
"I'm not. But NAB, what chane
have we anyhow? Creatures of cir
cumstances. Buffeted around
you're too retrospective, Sybil.'
81 know. It's modern disease.
But, if you have a mind you have
to use it-once in while. Life's
such riddle. Here I am
"'Asking those questions, in
terrupted Mabel, (Which of old
men sought of seer and oracle
and no reply was told"
"Why, Mab!" Sybil was plainly
surprised. 81 didn't know you read
Wilde. 1t was Craig who taught
me to enjoy him.
"Oh, I'm not as dumb as I look,
dear volunteered NAB good ma
turedly. IT know my Rubaiyat, too.
Wise old Omar had the answer
when he said:
The moving finger writes; and,
having writ,
Moves on; nor all your piety
nor wit
Shall lure it back to cancel
half line,
Nor all your tears wash out
word of it."
CYBIL had sent a wireless to Tad
- and they were at the pier to well
come her. Mrs. Thorne and Tad
and Craig-Valerie was sorry-she
had an engagement.
why, you're thinner" cried Craig
as he took her hand. He did not
offer to kiss her.
"a little" She was very casual
about it. tits stylish to be thin
Emaciation is all the rage. Lordy
it's good to see you all againl How
have you been, Mother? Bless your
heart, Tad-you old married man
how are you? And Craigie-you're
looking like millionl Aren't you
people at the Cape?"
eve closed the place yesterday,
explained her mother. oval wasn't
enjoying herself at all. She thought
she's be happier in town"
I'm town! This weather."
'Well, falls almost here, you
know, Sybil. Here it is September
already"
They had dinner together at the