The Shield of Silence

ntments, and much n

case in her hand, a closely packed trunk in the baggage car a

of Nanc

cry-once the bar

ancy's tears wer

remembered, her proud head was lowered and she w

f freedom!" At last Joan dried he

wet, slippery night when she raised the knocker o

bacon and bread by the open fire and she needed no more light than the coals gave. Sylvia wore a smock and her hair was down

she drew Joan in. Then, after a

elf." And Joan proceeded to

r so happy in my life. I feel as if I'd

thing! Come in your room, Joan, shed as much as you like. I expected

adore bacon and eggs. Sylv

n-edged in, th

away, and then they talked far into the night. Sy

itions in town, but as a starter a magazine is nothing to be sneered at. I'm modelling, too-I have a duck of an idea for a frieze

unny little songs sung?-here's your girl! I seem to have only samples. I can be adaptable. That's my big asset." They both laughed, but Sylvia soon grew serious. Her short service in reality had already sobered her. It was one thing for th

e muttered presently, "unless you're wi

eplied. She was groping after the thin

ylvia was herself again. Too well she knew the value of starting out with one's shield

her shield was in good condition, but she had an

tired girl; "and was there ever such a spot to live in? See, I'm going to raise your shade high, for the

and awoke to-more bacon and egg

dancing. "I've only known New York before holding to Aunt Dorrie's hand or

n to sing her old

l upon th

upon the

he moon, til

e her leave

b the fros

I'll coin

he rainbow

oth ends

, youth, gaiety. She went to her easel in the north room, humming Joan's

task. She rode downtown on top of a bus. The crisp air stung and rallied her. She longed to sing from the swaying vehicle-she felt as if she were on t

the old home, standing with drawn blinds by the little, close-locked park. It looked s

oan thought. "I cannot imagine it with the fountain a

t she was not missing Nancy. She wondered if she were heartless and selfish? But after all, how could one be missed from a life in which she had nev

e for her as the luncheon she was now feeling the need of-"if I become famous

e Joan feel important,

d gone with Doris while on a wonderful shopping expedition. The place was little changed;

emed the food of the gods, bu

see Doris smiling fondly, faithfully, at her. Doris's powe

while she choked down the food. "I feel as if I were in the bear's hous

in upon Sylvia with the announcement that "nothing would count if you didn't have someone to come home and tell

grapefruit: "And that accounts for half the marriages in life." Sylvia was refraining, just then,

er the closet that screened the housekeeping skeletons from the wonderful studio.

chops a twist. Thank the Lo

so almost unbelievably had Doris Fletcher permitted her to do so, that it took on all the attr

ve hundred dollars. Upon reaching Sylvia she had, after p

days and continued to seem so until the necessity

she made her way to the bank where she had d

companionship, the feeling of home that Joan had introduced into her life, were deep joys to the gir

erself, standing at the wide north window, "if I could

nterfering with her own. Still, Sylvia was never one to usurp the rights of a Higher Power, and at twenty-f

ap her in the face soon," Sylvia comfor

more than men, but her girl friends brought their male comrades with them and everybody was welcome to anything that Sylvia had. Fortunately most of the young people were honestly striving to earn their living; they were sweetly, proudly unafra

older and more conservative folk to hold their breath as people do who watch ch

interested Joan immens

lvia, "the men seem like a ne

ding her work-she smil

-Sylvia added a dab of clay to a doubtful curve-"but men, when they ch

ughtful puckering of the brows, "the girls will be women,

she eyed her work. S

and do things and justify t

like a panther upon her prey-her prey

them!" and at this the offend

breathed Sy

watched her and caught a sudden insight. She realized what it

ver marry these

ay with them; don't get co

think I shall ever marry. I'm like Aunt Dorrie, but if I ever should marry it w

rned and

ure that no one side-tracks you-give them half, but no

very by the smouldering fire. It was a gray,

at starvation and early death seemed the most likely objects on her mental horizon. She had eliminated Doris and Nancy as life-pre

me-let me see you dance! My model had sand bags on her feet yesterday, anyh

tly she was aglow and

Sylvia, "it is still gassy enough

he elusive ball. Sylvia watched her w

from her corner, "go it, J

s one of them again-the story was coming true! It was no longer a golden balloon she was touching, fo

e undergone a marvellous change by a few rapid and bewitched strok

, you are

d close. "What hav

by the shoulders, "you've put yourself in me. I've a line on your opportun

urned, quietly. She was thinkin

friend, Elspeth Gordon, who is opening a tea room. She may not think you necessary to her scheme of things, she'

rted away to array

ere?" she asked. Her brightn

was merely a matter of making things jibe. Elspet

n tables or cook?" asked

thought, I'll go with you. I might have

e pulled her tam o' shanter ove

on. "Of course you must take lessons and be a legitimate something some

frosty streets Sylvia

to be-the punch. Eats are all right in their way, but folks do

ling talk without question. Her acquaintance with te

enchanting tables drawn close to an open fire, and someone-you, my lamb-singing a ballad, when there is a

o see the op

d lasted a half block and

Syl, how I went to the kitchen door, once, and took the maids all in, and then Miss Tibbetts came down to see what

having you break in on their silly tea-talk, the police might raid the place if

nny Brier Bush a few minutes later in

nity that amounted almost to majesty. She was gowned in crisp lavender linen with immaculate white collars an

it look inviting?" She gave a broad glance to the sweet, orderly room: the small tables, glass covered; the rose-chintz c

s," Sylvia replie

o this venture," Elspeth went

sense, Elspeth Gordon's mouth and tone betrayed the

scones, and oat cakes, and such things, but oh! it is the opening o

blic, Elspeth, there's no doubt about that. Tea rooms are no novelty

an that Elspeth started nervously and regarded her guest as she might have a

n read-

nted, but Sylvia sc

now it, but she's psychic-of course this is going to be fun; not real. Just a lure. We'll have Joan in a long white robe-a girl I know can design it. We'll

ll. She grasped the possibil

aid, slowly. "I'm quite serious, and m

ke you ridiculous, you've got another gue

row." Elspeth spoke hesitatingly, keepin

the costume to-night; we'll buy books on palmistry on our way home. We'll give you just four days to lure

h, but there was an ear

ht Elspeth spoke

to-morrow at two

t Sylvia. They had all been sitting up nights

eply in quite an unmove

tioned later, "this is but a mea

kled, "in the meantime, I