New Britain herald., 1928-10-16
WHIR T: ;. ( ?|I.I5S {i[i}
~ COPYRIGHT n2B 81 MA 5EMn M

ders, and grtpped them so tightly
that his fingers hurt her soft flesh.
There's no use - talking like
that" he said. You're not playing
fair, Sybil."
He tipped her head back. and
kissed her lightly on the mouth.
THE reddest, cruelest lips In
town." he said.
john she protested. I think
you're horrid!"
II think you're beautiful" he
retorted. Now eat your chicken
like a good girl and stop your
vamping,"
You're so darn good" she COM
planned. You make me sick. =.
I think you don't care for me any
more-not really. l mean"
He put another log on the fire
and looked at her quizzically as she
leaned to rumple his hair over hts
eyes.
DO you?" she insisted, "Or don't
YOU"
And in her ears. as she asked.
there rang the voice of wrath in
Khaki. A wrath with blue. blue
eyes and a voice as strong and
young as a silve,' trumpet blowing.
And the wrath was smiling with
his eyes. And with his voice he
was crying. "Oh. Sybil-Sybil. !
love you-love you so-forever and
ever-eyer and forever. ="
Never mind" she said. You
needn't answer that one. Pour
me that cup of coffee now. will you
John ~
She nibbled at caviar. and tasted
an anchovy
DO you love her very much ?"
she asked presently.
Then John got up. and stood in
front of her, with his hands in the
pockets OF his trousers and his coat
thrown back Ami the freight
danced on his blond hair as the SUD
at Devens had danced SO long. long
ago and Sybil clasped her
hands in her lap to keep them quiet.
kitty" he told her quietly, lis
my salvation. I haven't many illu-
sions left about love. Sybil.
Loving a girl like Kitty isn't at all
like loving a woman like you. :.
Kitty is a good girl, think l
rather worship her. want ire
mendously to make her happy. !
want to shelter her from everything
that is ugly and might hurt her.
She's a steadying little girl--a
sort of compass to help me hold my
course. There's more loyalty and
confidence in Kitty Burns little
finger than ever saw in any 10
women in all my life"'
And So" interrupted Sybi'.
smiling at the conceit. you'd
rather have a compass than 4
guiding starr"
I'D rather have Kitty" he told
her solemenly. than any woman on
earth. Love Is a strange thing.
Sybil. I've. loved lot of women
Before this I always wanted some
thing for myself, Now l only want
to give"
Sybil nodded.
Il think" she said. that you love
her very much"
Then they sat In silence. until
the fire had died down, so that they
found themselves in a Pickering
dark. .
And then John spoke from the
shadows.
Have" you had lovers. Sybil?
All. Sweet. forgive me, dear.
You're so maddeningly wise. you
lovely thing"
He came and stood before her.
and taking her wrists in his hands.
drew her to her feet.
The man is an idiot" he said
tensely. who let his mind rule his
heart. When the gods send love,
only fools refrain. Sybil. I'm
crazy about you. All, Sybil-your
lips. dear"
Colby she drew from his aching
arms.
Don't" she aid.
But he drew her closer. And In
the eternity before he crushed her
mouth with his, flame leaped like
a living thing from the whitening
embers, And in its light Sybil saw
his face. and his eyes And II
saemed n har that he lookad "a ~