HIS AIM IN LIFE by Geoffrey Williamson .sx In which Cupid draws a long bow but scores a double bull's-eye !sx MARMADUKE PREBBLE'S aim .sx in life was to see his stuff in the Society weeklies , but though he scribbled effusions of every description , he never seemed to be able to break into print .sx People thought that when he inherited a legacy from his aunt he would become more rational .sx They were sadly mistaken .sx " Now , " he said to his friends , " I shall retire to a cottage in the country and concentrate on writing .sx " " What sort of writing ?sx " he was asked , but refrained from volunteering an answer very possibly because he had no very clear conception on this important point .sx YET to the country he certainly retired , deserting the fashionable cocktail bars and night clubs for a remote corner of Sussex .sx From that moment he seemed lost to his friends , and he certainly showed no sign of tiring of his hermit existence .sx He may even have worked seriously enough in his isolated retreat ; but months passed and he appeared to be no nearer to attaining his ambition , which , to repeat , was to see the products of his pen in the pages of the Society weeklies .sx Marmaduke was a likeable fellow ; could mix a commendable cocktail ; dance divinely and drive a sporting " straight eight " with one hand lots of girls could have vouched for that !sx Moreover , he had a knack of kissing adequately without ruining a lady's makeup lots of girls but let us get on with the story , pausing only to observe that Marmaduke's disappearance from London society occasioned quite a flutter .sx " Can't understand it , " was the general comment .sx " Must have an out-size in bees under his bonnet .sx Says his one aim in life is to see his stuff in the Society weeklies .sx Isn't it just too pathetic to see a good man like that lose his reason when he's just been left a couple of thousand a year to do what he likes with ?sx " .sx Well , the flutter disturbed the eardrums of little Joyce Varden , who had never seen Marmaduke in her life , but who now drank in every word of gossip with singular interest .sx You see , Joyce also had a fixed aim in life , which was to preside over an exclusive establishment for the sale of costly " creations .sx " But Joyce had a negligible income and her dream remained unrealised , because although her father was well enough off , he had a rooted objection to her spending any of his money in floating a business .sx Thus it was that she felt drawn towards Marmaduke immediately she began to hear about his idiotic ambition .sx Not that she was entirely sympathetic .sx JOYCE , who was a petite blonde with eyes of sea-mist green , had a discerning taste in cocktails , danced soulfully , delighted in speeding , and was always punctilious about her make-up .sx So she naturally shared the general view of her set that a man of Marmaduke's accomplishments was a fool to waste his sweetness on the Sussex air when the West End was simply panting for it .sx Something , she felt , ought to be done about it .sx It was not a difficult matter for her to find out Marmaduke's address without appearing indiscreet ; and one crisp November morning she cajoled her father into letting her borrow the Bentley .sx Then she had a little confidential chat with Hopkins , the chauffeur , on the subject of miles per gallon .sx " No , don't fill her up , " she insisted when she had ascertained all the facts she required .sx " I'm not , going far .sx " The lie hung lightly upon her perfectly carmined lips .sx At noon she steered the car into a remote Sussex lane and brought it to a standstill before a picturesque thatched cottage .sx MARMADUKE , who had been moping miserably in his lonely parlour , came to the doorway in surprise .sx Joyce , sitting contentedly at the wheel , took in every detail of his appearance at a glance and decided instantly that rumour had been surprisingly accurate for once .sx Marmaduke was indeed a nice be !sx " I say , " she called brightly , favouring the would-be writer with a dazzling smile , " is there such a thing as a filling-station near here ?sx " .sx Marmaduke shook his head .sx " 'Fraid not , " he replied .sx " At least , the nearest is eight miles away .sx " " That's torn it !sx " gasped Joyce , with a rueful pout that was beautifully feigned .sx " The old chariot's just about run dry !sx " Mentally , Marmaduke bestowed a hearty kick upon himself .sx He had deliberately left his own " straight eight " in town , .sx being determined that there should be no distractions in his rural retreat .sx And now the one thing he desired most in the world was to render assistance to the goddess in the car .sx The long , lonely weeks of exile had increased his susceptibilities , and already he was completely under the sway of those eyes of sea-mist green .sx " Won't you come in and rest ?sx " he asked boldly , as a happy inspiration came .sx to him .sx " There's a 'bus that's due to pass the end of the lane in about twenty minutes , and I could easily stop it and .sx borrow enough petrol to take you to the filling-station .sx " Of course , Joyce agreed to his suggestion willingly ; and though twenty minutes .sx is not very long , their acquaintanceship had made considerable progress by the time that they both sauntered forth to to hail the saviour 'bus .sx Marmaduke , in a gloriously golden trance , was overjoyed by the seemingly incredibdle discovery that they possessed mutual friends in town .sx " Life is full of coincidences !sx " he observed wisely .sx " Yes , isn't it !sx " agreed Joyce , feeling just a little conscience-stricken .sx Somehow she had not expected that she would find this man so likeable .sx " IF you'll let me drive on with you , " ventured Marmaduke , when the borrowed petrol had been transferred to the Bentley , " there's a quaint old inn by the filling-station where they .sx serve a passable luncheon .sx I'd feel .sx honoured if you'd join me .sx " " I was rather hoping you would invite .sx me to stay for luncheon at your cottage , " .sx she responded with delectable frankness .sx " It looks such an intriguing little place .sx " " Why , I hardly had the nerve , " blurted out Marmaduke .sx " I mean , I've nothing very exciting in the larder .sx I live on tinned stuffs mostly .sx But I could shake up a cocktail , and if you care to take pot luck .sx .. " " Oh , let's , " interrupted Joyce , and linked her arm with his .sx Joyce made herself quite at home and chatted gaily to Marmaduke while he mixed a cocktail .sx " My word !sx " she exclaimed rapturously as she sipped the amber liquid .sx " This is simply marvellous .sx What is it ?sx " .sx Marmaduke flushed with obvious pleasure .sx " It's a mixture of my own , " he murmured modestly .sx " I call it `Sunrise Glow .sx ' I'm glad you like it .sx Have another ?sx " .sx " Thanks , I will , " replied Joyce eagerly .sx " It beats anything you can get in town .sx " OVER the second cocktail they discussed the luncheon problem , Marmaduke standing on the threshold of the little cottage larder and announcing his culinary resources for Joyce's critical consideration .sx " I don't think I fancy anything out of a tin myself , " he added ruefully .sx " How about eggs ?sx " .sx Joyce pouted .sx Then , as an afterthought , she asked :sx " Are there any tomatoes ?sx " .sx " Yes , " replied Marmaduke , producing a bag for her inspection .sx " Oh !sx Splendid !sx " exclaimed Joyce , setting down her glass and springing to her feet .sx " That gives me a chance to shine .sx You must let me make omelettes .sx " She was soon busy at the little gas cooker , with Marmaduke standing attentively at her elbow .sx The omelettes turned out a great success , and throughout the meal they conversed cheerily on a variety of topics in which they found a common interest .sx When Joyce finally took her seat at the wheel of the Bentley and drove away , Marmaduke stood for a long time at the cottage gate staring after her .sx He was profoundly impressed .sx Well , Marmaduke closed up his cottage and came back to town the very next day !sx Two evenings later he was dancing with Joyce Varden at the " Gin and It " Club ; two weeks later their engagement was officially announced ; two months later they were on their honeymoon .sx When a girl with eyes of sea-mist green makes up her mind , things move swiftly .sx There is no time like the honeymoon for the appreciative discussion of aims and ideals ; viewpoints seem to converge naturally ; harmony holds sway ; discord is discountenanced .sx And the return from the honeymoon ?sx Cynics will tell you that disillusion and the hum-drum , prosaic round of everyday life await the returning bridal pair ; but let the case of Mr. and Mrs. Prebble shame the cynics .sx Within a few weeks of their return Joyce achieved her life's ambition and opened an exclusive establishment in New Bond Street on Marmaduke's money that is , Marmaduke's aunt's money .sx From the outset the undertaking was a conspicuous success .sx Joyce had decided that it should be , and that no expense should be spared .sx IN the first month she spent alarming sums on advertising alone , and people who knew the limitations of Marmaduke's finances began to talk .sx " Can't understand it , " was the general comment .sx " Must have an out-size in bees under his bonnet .sx Says his one aim in life is to see his wife's business an established success , and that he'd sell his " straight eight " if it became necessary !sx " .sx But there are no bees under Marmaduke's bonnet .sx Joyce and he are supremely happy , and so long as the business in New Bond Street flourishes they will have no quarrel with life .sx You see , Marmaduke's ambition is attained also .sx He writes every line of his wife's advertising copy ; and she advertises in all the Society weeklies !sx " Breaking it off " by Marten Cumberland .sx The dignity of Mr. Ponting is put to a severe test .sx MR. PONTING Mr. Julius Ponting , of Bellasco Square , London , and of Woodhall Spa rose from his desk a little testily and tore up the letter .sx It was his third attempt to write what was in his mind , and none had suited his fastidious taste .sx The thing was not at all easy !sx Whilst it was true that he had never become officially engaged to Rosanna , yet for some months there had been an " understanding " between them .sx Quite a lot of people knew the terms upon which he and Rosanna stood .sx To break things off therefore needed considerable tact and delicacy .sx It must be done discriminately ; with the most careful consideration for Rosanna's feelings ; above all , there must be nothing in the rupture that would give rise to anything like a loss of personal dignity .sx Mr. Ponting paced the soft carpet slowly .sx He was sorry for Rosanna , and deeply regretted the various considerations which had led him to his decision .sx YET decided he was .sx Slowly , but inevitably , he had been brought to a realisation that marriage between himself and Rosanna Brady was quite impossible .sx It was not only the question of dancing , upon which they had differed frequently in the last two or three weeks .sx He did not dance .sx He had never attempted to disguise the fact that he considered dancing unsuitable to a man of his years and position .sx He was , it is true , only forty-seven and still young ; many men far older than himself danced , but somehow it never seemed quite fitting .sx But he had never objected to Rosanna herself dancing .sx In any case she was old enough to know how to choose her companions and manage her conduct decorously without his advice .sx She must be at least thirty-five , though she acted only too often as though she were seventeen .sx HER unpunctuality and entire lack of a sense of time irritated him .sx Her sudden impulses caused him misgivings ; her hastily-made friendships , especially with artistes and people of that sort , were disconcerting .sx Mr. Ponting shuddered and regarded his watch .sx It was nearly six o'clock , and it seemed impossible to write to Rosanna in exactly the terms he wished to employ .sx Perhaps it would be better if he called upon her at once .sx It was a good time to call , between tea and dinner , there would be no troublesome visitors .sx In any case , he had better get this unpleasant affair over as soon as possible .sx