The Somerset reporter., 1901-10-31


"Yes, may people have told me the
same" she replied complaeently, catch
Ing the end of his sentence, and, noting
the appreciative glance. she concluded
that he alluded to the modern style OF
hairdress.ag she had adopted.
but You needn't be stand-oliish with
an older dmircr,' he added quietly
and reproachfully.
Il beg Your pardon-what did you
say"
"Oh, nothing. nothing" he respond.
ed hastily, fearing he had been too pre-
cipitate what Il charming room this
is"
Now you must have some tea" she
said, after rather an awkward pause,
laying down her fan, and moving to
the table. Being an old maid I'm
rather fussy. so you must not talk
while I'm making tit dlstracts my
attention" she added with forced lit.
tie laugh
He watched her with growing pleas.
ure as her hands busted with the cups
the lamp rays touching the gold in her
hair.
ITS like old times, watching you
make tea, Celia. ! wish 1t would be
my privilege always"
81 told you not to talk" she said
with playful severity.
But l must. Don't be so tantaliz.
ing, dearest. I'm not to touch tea till
I've had your answer, till you've prom.
ised, in fact" his voice dropped to an
earnest whisper, and he crossed the
room to her side, ito be my wife,"
She glanced at him bewildered
"Er-er-in fact, of course, scarcely
In theory" she said vaguely.
Celia" he exclaimed, what on
earth do you mean"
A dead silence followed. She saw by
his face that something was wrong,
and her agitation increased when he
commenced to pace restlessly about
the room, muttering to himself in an
undertone:
ever since I've been abroad I've
lived and worked in the hope of one
day winning you, but now it seems as
though
She looked up puzzled. what did
you say" she asked desperately 81
did not quite catch it. but it is your
own fault. ] told you not to talk while
| made tea-two Jumps of sugar, isn't
it? You see, I've remembered the cor.
rect number-and half the cream jug
you were always terribly greedy, col.
onel! Theret' She handed him the
cup and caught up her fan. Now you
must begin all over again. l don't
think you've lost the spice of humor."
And she flashed nervous little smile
over the top of the fan.
Celia" he said slowly, raising his
voice till it rang through the room
"this is not a time for joking"
The anger In his tone and his hurt
expression frightened and bewildered
her; with a gesture of despair she turn.
ed away.
IF only 1t hadn't been for the mus.
tache.' she murmured, half audibly.
"Mustacher he exclaimed eagerly
hopefulness staring into his tone. as
that your only objection? How | wisl
| had known before | came. But IL
have it off directly"
He was standing beside her again
and now he rested his hand on heI
shoulder; but she shrank from his
touch and turned away, half crying
and wringing her hands.
Il thought | could have managed
but | shall have to tell. | can't go or
like this" she sobbed.
Tell me what? That there is some
one else"
He turned abruptly away, and flung
himself in the armchair. burying his
face in his hands.
"Just my luck" he said brokenly
"But it's hard after all this time, and
now when it seemed all plain sailing
to hear that-that-I have n rival
But" reproachfully, you needn't have
kept me so long in suspense Celia"
moments silence followed TheI
she left her seat and walked to the
fireplace and stood looking down at
him, toying neryously with her fan.
Il can't hear what you say" she said
at last desperately, flinging the fan
from her Il should have told you-l
am deaf, but | couldn't bear to use my
ear trumpet just ut first. because
thought you would regret having come.
| know men have horror of deaf old
maids"
She laughed Historically as she pro.
duced the trumpet from the little bag
at her side and adjusted il.
ut was Just my silly PRIDE she con
tinucd quickly, and thought could
manage with my fan. You see. it has
this tube in the center which carries
the sound through my lips-and then
| understand lip reading if it hadn't
been that your mustaehe conceals
yours
as that allf' he interrupted eagerly,
starting up and placing his hands on
her shoulder. There isn't anybody
elscT'
anybody else, whereY she asked,
bewildcred.
Il mealf any one you care more for
than me-whom you intend narrying?"
MILO" she faltcred, the color rush.
ing into her cheeks; but what an odd
question"
Not at ALL he answered delighted.
ly. Cant you guess, Celia. what Il
have been asking you, Or and his
eyes twinkled merrily-"shall / begin
all over againT'
But 1t was scarcely necessary, for
though she blushed still deeper she did
not now resist when he tool, her hands
I'm his -AIaipIv hnnt DngIIa