Part 22 (1/2)

”If so, I have forgotten it I am now the most supremely contented ood-bye, children!” cried Denis

He was surprised at himself for this speech; it was a frivolity that he had never before been guilty of But with Sylvia Jackson there were no restraints, nor was his reree extraordinary to her She called out after hiet our appointrizzly bear,” said Desmond ”I believe you could teach hio away he shall dance to rizzly,” she answered ”I intend to drop you handso!”

”I believe he is a good sort,” said Des a possible rival

”I aood sorts Nohat are we to do?” she answered

”Walk along the cliffs, and see the grandest sight in Nature--the eternal war between the ocean and the land,” he answered

And Sylvia Jackson, as artistic and ereed with him when she stood on the cliffs that tower over the sea just twofroh a sky dappled with fleecy broken white cloudlets The spray sparkled in the bright light before it broke into a rainbow of changing colours Above the big rollers the cliffs rose in broken perpendicular columns; there was a constant roar in the ears as breaker after breaker hurled itself on the rocks Sea-birds wheeled about overhead In the far distance the ocean stretched out, to where a bank of clouds rested on the distant horizon, in slopes and peaks, a perfect copy of snow-clad mountains

”Don't stand so close to the cliffs!” cried Desly

”You need have no fear forof vapour,” she answered

”I wouldn't dare stand where you are; I should be dran Good heavens!”

As he watched her she beca and seized her in his ar in every limb

”It was just in time,” she said ”Another second and I was lost

Suddenly a giddiness ca me over the cliff Take me away from this dreadful place”

There were tears in her voice and in her eyes She continued to sob until they were rely:

”Do you still ier that you continue to hold me?”

”It was an opportunity I could nothis voice to the sentimental key

”Now, you must stop at once Remember our compact Once you become too sentimental our friendshi+p ends Drop your arms by your side That will do Now you may smile pleasantly and talk to me like a sensible man”

It was a repulse, but it sounded rather as an invitation to continue the siege in a less impulsive manner So did Desmond construe what she had said, and his spirits reflected the satisfaction which the belief afforded him When she joined them at lunch Kathleen found the two as full of spirits as if they had been children Their laughter and jests were an offence toin the same room as they To these simple country folk the manners and style of the new school, to which Sylvia Jackson belonged, were soreeable But the new school pays no attention to other people, and rejoices in causing a sensation and outraging old-fashi+oned ideas

It was iested: