Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 February 1917 — SYLVIA’S BREAKAWAY [ARTICLE]

SYLVIA’S BREAKAWAY

By ERNEST A. YOUNG.

Sylvia Gale, up to her birthday, had never enjoyed what most girls would call a good time. On that anniversary her Aunt Dorcas went with her tootle city, made the rounds of the department stores, bought Sylvia a $7.98 ready-to-wear suit and a $2.48 hat, and ended the day’s debauch by going to a moving picture play. All through tlie following week Aunt Dorcas was kept in a panic because Sylvia Gale would talk pf nothing else but that picture play. “You can see for yourself Jonas,” she told her husband, “that Sylvia Jias inherited a restless streak from her mother. We never oughter let her go to that play. It’s stirred her all up.” The next time that they decided to visit tlie city they said nothing about it before the girl. She overheard them talking of their intentions and at the same time learned that there were to be no more such excursions for her. Then she thought of Dr." Edson Brooks who had frightened her half <mt of her with almost a year ago by asking her to marry him, when it never occurred to . her that she was old enough to marry anybody. “Doctor Edson must be crazy to think.of marrying me,” she had thought. But now, as slip 'brooded over Aunt Dorcas’ show of distress she recalled the doctor's attentions with quickened heartbeats. The afternoon before the projected trip to the city Aunt Dorcas remarked to Sylvia: “I was telling your Uncle Jonas last night we'd better get a new rug for your robin,” The girl was looking out of a window and did not reply. “Then,” Dorcas Gale continued, “sbiire new wallpaper, and two or three sort of cheerful pictures would brighten up your room.” The next morning Sylvia drove her aunt and uncle to the railway station, five miles distant. “Hurry right back, Sylvia,” admonished her aunt as they heard the whistle of the incoming train. “There’s the chickens to feed and breakfast dishes to wash.” When she was out of of the station Sylvia laughed derisively. Then she consulted a pocket railway timetable. “The 9:34 at Hale's Crossing may be flagged for passengers or express,” she read from the folder. A newspaper clipping in her purse gave the address, 27 Fil more place, where young ladies were wanted to drill for moving picture scenes. But' when Sylvia reached Filmore place she was disappointed to find it a dingy court shut in by cheap tenements. Her ring at the door of No. 27 was answered by a young man with black, curly hair, black mustache, and a face that looked for all the word like that of a Corsican bandit in 'the picture play that had haunted Sylvia’s memory.

“You come to drill for our great spectacular drama, miss?” said the man. “You will step in and register.” Sylvia’s heart sank in sudden dismay. Was this the portal, she asked herself, by whirl) she was to enter upon her career of fame and fortune? “I—l don’t think I will try it at all,” She said. “You will have to excuse me. Good-day.” She spent the rest of the day following up advertisements for “Female Help Wanted,” and found that the situations were either already filled, or that they were of a sort that she was too inexperienced to undertake. When evening came she slipped with weariness* into a moving picture theater in the hope of soothing her tired nerves. When she came out upon the crowded street she remembered that she had engaged no lodgings for the night. Somehow, in the chattering throng, she could not settle her mind upon anything, for she was used to thinking out her problems in solitude. So she made her way into a quiet side street. As she did so a touring car glided close to the sidewalk curbing and

stopped and the one who was driv- • ing it leaned forward and spoke. Without looking at him she knew who it was. “Sylvia,”., said Dr, Edson Brooks, “hadn’t you better ride with me? I’ll take, you wherever you say,” The beating of her heart seemed to time itself to the throb of the motor as she got into the car. “Your aunt and uncle got home early.” Doctor Ed told her in his strong, even voice. “They were worrying their heads off about you, so I undertook to fetch you home. By the way, Sylvia,” and "the tones became less even, “liad you forgotten what .I asked of you almost a year ago?” “No. Doctor Ed. I hadn’t forgotten,” said Sylvia. “Then mayn’t I tell Aunt Dorcas tq night that, you answered ‘yes’ to ine this time?” .. ' - “I think,'’ said Sylvia, “you may tell Aunt Dorcas that.” After Dorcas and Jones Gale were tn bed that night, both of them stark awake. Sylvia's? aunt said:. “I guess, Jonas, we’ll put . what..it was going tq cost to fix up Sylvia’s room into her wedding tilings, We want her to haye just as good as any\qf ’em—and then they won’t be half sis\»ood as she deserves.”'. \ . (Copyright* 1916, by tfie Mcfelure Newspaper syndicate.)