Evening star., 1933-12-31
New Year Romance
By George r. Pilgrim ~
ONE OF THE STAR MAGAZINES
FIRST-RUN STORIES

n WAS at ABOUT o CLOCK on NeW year eve,
and somewhere along that twisting half
mile of narrow country road which runs
between the gates Of Ferrars Hall and
Beaumanoir, that he first kissed her. He,
Michael Archer, being II years DID, and
she, Valerie Warren, month or TWO younger.
And perhaps the most remarkable thing
about that first kiss was its unexpectedness.
Ten seconds before it had happened, Michael
hadn't had the slightest desire to kiss Valerie.
But the road was slippery. Snow had fallen
during the afternoon, and q thin layer OF 1t
had frozen hard the stony surface. And
Michael had been just able to catch Valerie
as she fell.
It hadn't been until that instant, as she lay
quietly and lightly in his arms. her eyes shin =
ing and her cheeks delightfully."- pnked by the
keen wind, that 1t had suddenly occurred to
him that he'd either have to kiss her or burst.
Then he let her go very quickly, and stood
staring at her, his eyes plainly expressing MS
horror and amazement.
He began to stutter some sort of an apology.
II say. I'm awfully sorry"
But then she looked up and smiled
You needn't be sorry" she said softly.
He hesitated uncertainty
You mean, you don't mnd?"
She shook her head.
of course not. I liked it,
They continued slowly on their way along
the road. In silence, at first. but IN queerly
new sort of silence. For everything had sud-
denly become new anu uHeIeAI anu Hoic
wonderful.
Themselves, for example.
It was a difficult question, and Michaeis
voice was thoughtful as he said slowly:
"Of course, you're the first girl I've ever
kissed, VAL except cousins and people Ike
that"
She slipped her arm beneath his.
And you're the first man who's ever kissed
me- Michael"
But he missed the compliment.
"Gosh!" he said suddenly.
And when Valerie asked the obvious queS-
ton:
why, I'm in love with you Val I've just
thought of it,
She laughed softly.
"Of course you are silly. Didn't you know"
TOR half dozen steps Michael walked
lightly on air. But then second idea
occurred to him.
And you, VAL" he asked quickly, "are you
=. mean, do you love me?"
She nodded at once.
If I hadn't" she said "I shouldn't have
Liked your kissing me, should II"
His face frightened, then sobered quickly
I'VE shall have to keep it to ourselves" he
said.
Valerie agreed.
But that won't matter very much. Lots OF
people keep their engagements secret nova
days I think it makes it more exciting"
And yet this necessity for careful secrecy was
really the only thing that family clouded the
following weeks.
For they had to keep secret not only the fact
that they were in love with one another, but
also that they were even acquainted. For the
feud between Maj. Warren Of Beaumanoir and
Stephen Archer Of Ferrars Hall was then In
its most warlike phase.
The trouble mainly due to the fact that
whereas Beaumanoir had heen in the posses
sion Of the Warren family for several GEN.
turies, Ferrars Hall had only recently passed
into the hands of Stephen Archer well anoxn 1 WI,
postwar dranciers who had come to Sutton
Ash expecting to find local prejudice and had
not been disappointed.
It wa. just before they parted on the last
a ring.
valerie was thrilled.
TITS such lovely ring" she said.
I'm awfully glad you like it. Val" -
And then there was a little sience' because
there really seemed to be nothing more to say,
in spite Of the fact that they were both trying
desperately to think of something.
It Michael who eventually broke the
silence
AFTER an," he said with some attempt at
cheerfulness, cts not as though we were say
ing good-by for all eternity. We shall be see
ing one another again in the Easter holidays.
"And they're only three months away" add
ed Valerie.
TLEvEN years passed before they one
l. another again.
It was just fortnight before the Easter
holidays were due to commence that Michael
received letter from his father, telling him
Of the sale of Ferrars Hall to an American.
II hadn't particularly wanted to sell the
place." ran the letter, "but the man offered me
q price couldn't afford to refuse. So you'll
have to be coming to London for Easter"
It was rather shock at first. But there
was consolation in the knowledge that Sutton