The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-10-27

Whul lne bIouDle, llltlo cnc!
inquired Pierrot with a yawn and
stretching himself lazily.
Pierrette did not reply but walked
restlessly about, and finally, leaning
over the rim of nearby cloud, gazed
hungrily down to the earth below and
watched the tiny black dots darting
hither and yon like so many ants on
an anthill, but apparently without so
much method in what they were about.
Pierrot regarded her intently for
some moments and then approached
her. Gently he put his arm across her
shoulders. but with an alien impa-
tehoe Pierrette jerked away.
why, sweetheart" exclaimed Pier
rot in surprise.
"Oh, I'm tired of everything" said
Pierrette sullenly, and became en-
crossed in watching the mortals be-
low. Yes, | am" she continued,
turning upon Pierrot with sudden
ferceness. you needn't look so hurt
and surprised; it won't make the least
difference. tell you I'm tired Of
everything"
'Hush!" responded Pierrot quietly !:
"you don't know what you are saying"
he tried to take her hands, but again
she pulled away.
He drew her, still resisting, to a low
cloud and forced her to sit beside him.
Now tell me all about it. What's
upset you so?"
Pierrette tried Intellectually to rise.
'Let me CO." she whispered; Il hate
sitting on these damp old clouds"
Pierrot instantly loosened his hold, but
he arose with her and followed to
where she leaned over and stared with
growing fascination at the panorama
spread beneath.
They're all real down there. I'm
tired of all this pretending. Nothings
real here. we make believe all the
time. | tell you | cant stand it any
longer. l want real things, real peo-
pie, real emotion, real everything"
She ceased abruptly; but Pierrot stood
motionless and silent at her side. Pres
emily she resumed:
"Down there they're busy and gay
and have such jolly times. I've often
seen them-the women in such lovely
frocks going to dinners and receptions
and theatres, and such splendid men in
their beautiful straight black clothes
and the incest white shirts and mono
cies. I've often watched out here at
night when you've thought was safe
in bed. I've looked into where all
those little pin spots of light come
from. They're restaurants and hotels,
and it's all bright and beautiful, and
the most extraordinary and delightful
things to eat, and the men whisper the
loveliest things to the women and the
women smile and look happy over 1t;
and up here it's all dark and dull and
stupid-no pretty electric light, moth
ing but these stupid old stars and that
freaky and irresponsible moon. It's
all make believe, and ] hate it-hate
it" She broke off and buried her
face in her hands, while her body was
shaken with soundless sobs.
PIER OF sighed deeply, and took the
little, still resisting figure in his arms
and caressed the soft rings Of hair
nesting on the head that reached just
as high as his heart.
II was afraid it would come some
day" he whispered. you won't take
my word for it that here only are you
safe and happy. Yes, happy" he re-
peated, in response to violent wrig-
gle of protest from Pierrette. All
the beautiful things you have seen
have been but the outer signs-you
have not looked into the hearts and
known as l have. That is because you
are young and have not known what
suffering is yet. And / had hoped,
dear heart, to keep it all from you,
perhaps forever"
II not know suffering!" Indignantly
broke in Pierrette. did l not lose
that shining gold-and-silver ball you
gave me, and did not that lemon ice
YOU made from the first winters snow
Riye me most frightful distress? Don't
cell me | have not experienced suffer
ing-both mental and physical-of the
very worst kind. And I don't want
any more long, lugubrious lectures
about being content with what we
hSve UP here and no crying after the
unattainable, and all that rubbish. The
unattainable' is just what | want
and, moreover, intend to have-so you
needn't say any more about It or try
TO make me sorry, because l shant be,
no matter what you say or look, SO
now!"
Again Pierrot sighed deeply, and,
drawing away, stood silent with folded
arms and eyes very grave. He regard
ed with deepest concern Pierrette's
flushed and angry countenance. He
knew it would be useless to argue or
entreat or be harsh He could only
wait and watch the outcome.
AS dusk drew on the deepening tw-
uuoise of sky. and dimming disk OF set
ding sun made each cloud look porten-
tous and lowering.