Smyrna times., 1901-11-27
that he alluded to the modern style or

that he alluded to the modern style or
hairdressing she had adopted.
But you needn't be stand-offish with
an old-er-admirer," 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 q 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 distracts my
attention" she added with a 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. l wish it would be
my privilege always"
Il told you not to talk" she said
with playful severity.
but 1 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, ''to be my wife,"
She glanced at him bewildered.
'Er-er-in fact. of course, scarcely
| in cha sold
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
l 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! Therer' She handed him the
cup and caught up her fan. 'NOw you
must begin all over again. 1 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 time for joking"
The anger in his tone and his hurt
expression frightened and bewildered
her; with gesture of despair she turn
ed away.
! IF only it hadn't been for the mus
tache" she murmured half audibly.
'Mustache" he exclaimed eagerly
hOpefulness staring into his tone. Il.
that your only objection? How l wisl
l l had known before l came! But IL
have it off directly
l He was standing beside her again
i and now he rested his hand on he
d shoulder; but she shrank from hi
: touch and turned away, half cryin,
and wringing her hands.
n Il thought l could have managed
t but l shall have to tell. l can't go OF
Il like this" she sobbed.
). Tell me what? That there is som
u one else?
a He turned abruptly away, and fun
It himself i'll the armchair, burying hi
e face in his hands.
IS "Just my luck" he said brokenly
ttEQtIf har ofA oil t.
d now when it seemed all plain sailin
o to hear that-that-I have a riva
IL But" reprOachfully, you needn't hav
4; kept me so long in suspense, Celia"
d A moments silence followed. The
g she left her seat and walked to til
s fireplace and stood looking down ;
d him, toying nervously with her fan.
e, Il can't hear what you say" she sal
y, at last desperately, fiinging the ia
from her. Il should have told you
IN am deaf, but couldn't bear to use IL
n ear trumpet just at first, because
le thought you would regret having com
know men have a horror of deaf o.
re maids"
at She laughed Historically as she pr
We duced the trumpet from the little bS
ou at her side and adjusted it.
Ou 1T was just my silly PRIDE" she co
tinued quickly, land thought 1 cou
a manage with my fan. You see, it b.
IT. this tube in the center. which carri
the sound through my lips-and then
ny l understand lip reading-if it hadI
lis been that your mustache conces
en- yours
re- ''Is that all?" he interrupted eagerl
-er starting up and placing his hands
no her shoulder. There isn't anybo,
nis else?'
lat Anybody else, where" she askt
mt bewildered.
II Il mean any one you care more
Ter than me-whom you intend marrying
II "N-nO-" she faltered, the color rus