Evening Star Newspaper, June 16, 1935, Page 89

1935 ¥ » e L1 Magazine Section “A young man whom I met yesterday," Sylvia said. *‘I'm having lunch with him." “But, darling, what about Rex?" “Oh, it's all right about Rex,” Sylvia answered her mother. They had luncheon together. They alsc had luncheon together the next day. And the next. They rode on top of the Fifth Avenue bus together. They walked in Central Park and ate hot dogs and peanuts. And they talked things over. Sylvia told him a little about her parents. Not much. Enough, however, so that he guessed she felt she had to stand by them, although standing by had, and always would have, its difficulties. She told him a little about Rex Norwood. Not much. Enough, however. After a week, Ezra Adams said suddenly: “Sylvia, I have found the solution of your problem.” They were sitting on a bench in the Park near the little lake where swans float. The day was all a spring day should be. Not too warm. A gentle and melancholy haze hung over the lake and the trees so ardent in their new green. They had been sitting there rather silently, and the happiness of being together enveloped them like the haze that hung over the trees. With its touch of melancholy too. For he felt he must go his way. And Sylvia felt she must go her way, to a home and a fire- side where she could dwell forever siie from vagrant, imperious wanderings. She turned to him and asked, ‘‘What is the solution, Ezra?” “It's very simple — marry me." For a moment she did not speak. Then quietly she said, ‘‘You're sorry for me?" “I love you." “It's madness, Ezra. You've known me only a week." ‘It doesn’t take a week to fall in love."” She laid her hand on his. *‘Don’t make me lose my head, dear. You know, as I know, that it wouldn’t work. You want to wander and I want to stay put. And I can’t desert my parents and go off gypsying with you. They have their faults, but they love me, and I love them." ““Maybe I'd be willing to stay put with you, Sylvia.” “‘Oh, darling!" she said, ‘‘don’t let sudden infatuation blind you. How long would you be content to stay put? How often have you told me this wanderlust is in your blood?"’ “Then come wandering with me!" he cried. ‘‘What is holding you back? You can't sacri- fice your life to your parents. That's old- fashioned, Sylvia, and stupid. Marry me and come with me to Hawaii next week. I can't imagine going without you.” “And I can’t imagine staying without you, Ezra. But you must go. And I must stay.” She laughed a little ruefully. ‘““The old folks at home need me. Maybe some day when you come back —"’ “No!" he said savagely. “That never works out. This is our hour and this is our day, and we must seize it, now or never. Run away with me, Sylvia!" She thought again of her father and mother. Well, their attitude toward some people might be a little questionable, but never their attitude toward her. They loved her. She even gave a passing thought to Rex Norwood. His kindness, his understanding. “I — I can’t, my dear."” she said finally, anda little desperately. “I had a long and serious talk with Rex this afternoon,’”” Mrs. Brewster said to Sylvia that evening. “He’s very much puzzled and hurt by the way you've acted toward him these past few days, Sylvia. And I don't wonder. In fact, I myself am hurt and puzzled. So is your father.” “Why does it mean so much to you?" “Darling, because it would make us so happy to see you settled and comfortable with — with everything a nice girl could ask for. And poor Rex ! He came to me almost as a son comes to a mother — so sweet and humble, “1 advised him to be firm, Sylvia. Not to put up with this shilly-shallying any more. So he's coming tonight for a once-and-for-all answer. Now, my dear, be sensible and answer him as you should.” Sylvia was very white. “All right,”” she said. Rex Norwood came promptly at half-past eight. For a man advised to be firm, he looked singularly uncertain, as he and Sylvia went out on the terrace. “I looked at a house in Westport today," Rex began. ‘‘It's a great bargain. I thought it THIS WEEK might be better for us if we went out a little further than Greenwich," “Sometimes I think, Rex, that you're more interested in marrying a house than in marrying me." "“‘Sylvia, that isn't fair. It's you I'm think- ing about. I want to get you safely away from all this.” “Away from all what?'" Sylvia asked. ““Well, they can't get away with it, forever. Gypping everybody. You must know that." “I don't know what you're talking about."” “If you don’t, my dear, that makes me very happy. I hoped you knew nothing about it. Somehow it upset me terribly to think that perhaps you were a party to it."” “Rex, please explain,” Sylvia said. ‘““No, my dear, we won't say anything more about it."” “You must tell me!” she demanded. ‘“Tell me, Rex!" “Anyway, your father must think me a perfect fool. He must know I know that stock is almost worthless. And when it comes to paying five thousand for it —"' Sylvia was very still. “Will you have to pay the five thousand when I say I'll marry you, Rex?"’ “No, not until we're actually married. I insisted on that. Of course I said I'd let him have a thousand right away to pay his moré pressing debts —' Rex’s blundering voice went on, but Sylvia did not hear what he said. This ended it. This was her price, and it was a price that, although unpaid, put an end toall her old loyalties. “Excuse me, Rex,” she said. ““I have to go to the kitchen.” “The kitchen! Whatever for?" ‘“Because I can telephone in the kitchen without being overheard.” “But why telephone now? I haven’t even finished telling you about the house that may be our home.” “I don’t want a home, Rex."” 9 “You've always said you wanted a home,” “But I'd forgotten, or perhaps I'd never known the truth of an old proverb.” “What proverb — ‘All’s fair in love and war’?"” “Rex, are you becoming satirical?"’ “No, of course not. What is your proverb?" ' ‘Home is where the heart is,’” Rex. Now let me go."” “But you haven't even given me an answer.” To his amazement — and a little to hers — she kissed him. ‘“That’s my answer, Rex, but it means ‘No.’ Oh, I am sorry, Rex. I am sorry it couldn’t be you."” In the kitchen, Sylvia picked up the tele- phone. And after a minute or two, she was saying: “Ezra,” and her voice broke a little. “Do you still want me to go to Hawaii with you? Or to Puerto Rico? Or Japan? Or Timbuctog?" “Darling!" said Ezra. “I do.” “But you haven’t even given me an answer,” he said