The Washington times., 1937-02-19
NOW READ ON
By LLOYD o. DOUGLAS
Production Coming to Warner Bros. Earle Theater
February 19)

SISdu1cI'
"Sylvia?. . Yes-it's long time.
No way to treat a friend, but"
His explanation raveled out to an
inane couldn't very well be
helped" He stopped and quieted
the dog with his hand; then,
Strengthening, he faced Phyllis
with a troubled look. II don't like
your being up here" he said
Soberly.
"TH go then" she declared
quickly.
"You know what I mean" He
defended his remark without a
smile, which made her feel about
nine years old. "All sorts Of people
prowling in these woods. Hasn't
anyone told you that?"
Sylvia wouldn't let me be hurt"
she replied careleSsly.
"Well-" His muttered ejacula-
ton was skeptical. "Sylvia doesn't
carry a gun. I wouldn't take much
of a marksman to dispose Of her
And you positively must never
do this again, my friend!"
1t was queer about words. She
had been hearing the word
friend" all her life. 1t wasn't
much of a word, really; didn't
mean anything. my friend
how far is it to Gary?" May
I trouble you for a light-my
friends?" 1t was quite another
word now, perhaps because it had
been spoken so tenderly, so pro-
tectingly. What a lovely word
friend.
every well, DR.. Paige" she
agreed respectfully, II shall not
do it again. And I should be
going now I was just about
to-" she decided to add, for po-
liteneSS's sake.
There's no danger now. I'll
walk down with you. if may.
But can't we stay and talk for
little while-now we're here? It's
early yet" He did not smile, but
his eyes quietly entreated.
Phyllis nodded, after a brief
hesitation, and they strolled back
to the slight elevation where she
had sat musing for so long.
every lovely!" commented Phyl-
lis, when they were seated facing
the valley.
Sylvia snuggled herself in be-
tween them and sank down with
a contented sigh.
do you mind my asking you a
question" he ventured seriously,
"just to satisfy my curiorlty? {.
Did Sylvia know you-when you
came to the Gibsons'?"
She pursed her lips in a half.
reluctant smile and slowly redi-
rected her eyes toward the val
ley; then laughed little.
I'm glad" said Paige. 1T must
have been pleasant to be vel
coined by an acquaintance when
you arrived"
"It was," she admitted. Sylvia
has been very attentive"
Paige sank back on one elbow,
and ran his hand through his
own hair, meditatively, Sylvia
turning her head to regard him
with interest.
You're a bright dog" he con-
fided softly, pulling her ears.
Some day you'll tire of listening
and tell everything you've ever
heard anyone say, won't you?"
Shed better not" threatened
Phyllis, in an aside.
Paige sat up again attentively,
and she had a sudden suspicion
that he was about to reopen the
subject she had been trying so
valiantly to avoid.
Phyllis" His voice was very
tender.
She slowly shook her head, and
turned toward him with eyes half
closed and lips parted to ask him
not to go on. But the right words
would not come. He was waiting
for her reply. After a little
silence. she closed her lips tightly,
and shook her head again. He
sighed.
Il can't" she said decisively.
"Come" With a quick assump-
ton of lightneSs, she Sprang to her
feet. "It'S high time I went back.
The GibsonS will be worried about
me. Would you like to walk
little way-really? Sure it's no
trouble? Were you going up or
down."
He was going up, he admitted
but no matter about that. Up
where?-she wanted to know, as
they strolled back to the path.
Oh-to a shack that he and
another fellow had, farther up the
mountain-quite on top of it, in
fact Was it fun?. Not particu-
larly.. Was he hunting?. Yes
that's right-he was hunting. .
Getting anything?. Well - not
much-yet; nothing to brag about.
The conversation was choppy,
inconsequential. unsa tisfactory.
He gave SO poor an account Of