The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1910-01-18

moments, and then arose from the
cloud upon which she had been seated.
WHATS the trouble, little one?"
inquired Pierrot with a yawn and
stretching himself lazily.
Pierrette did not reply but walked
restlessly about, and finally, leaning
over the rim of a nearby cloud, gazed
hunerily down to the earth below and
watched the tiny black dots darling
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-
tiehGe 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 a sudden
f1erceness. You needn't look so hurt
and surprised; it won't make the least
|
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
Nov tell me all about it. What's
upset you SOP
Pierrette tried Intellectually to rise
let me go" she whispered; II 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. Nothing's
real here. we make believe all the
time. | tell you / can't stand 1t any
longer. | 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 rhere 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
Giles. I've often watched out here at
night when you've thought | was safe
| In bed I've locked 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
1 things to eat, and the men whisper the
loveliest things to the women and the
women smile and look happy over IT,;
and up here it's ali dark and duh 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.
Il was afraid It would come some
day." no whispered. you won't take
my word for 1t that here only are you
safe and happy. Yes, happy" he re-
peated. I'm response TO a violent wrig-
gle OF protest from Plerrette "All
the beautiful things YOU have seen
have been but the outer sgns-you
have not looked into the hearts and
known as have. That is because you
are young and have not known what
suffering IS yet. And ! had hoped,
dear heart. to keep II all from you.
! perhaps forever"
az not know sufferingl" Indignantly
broke in Pierrette. Did 7 not lose
that shining gold-and-silver ball you
gave me- and did not that lemon ice
you made from the FIRST winters snow
/ give me most frightfm distress? Don't
! tell me + have not experienced suffer.
J ing-both mental and physical-of the
very worst kind. And don't want
any wore long. lugubrious lectures
| about being content with what we
| hcvo 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 I shant be,
no matter what you say or look, SO
! nowl"
Again Pierrot sighed deeply, and,
drawing away. stood silent with folded
arms and eyes very grave. lie regard
Cd with deepest concern Pieuette's
flushed and angry countenancc. lie
knew &c would be useless to argue OF
entreat or be harsh. He could only
wait and watch the outcome
AS dusk drew on the deepening tur-
ouoiso of sky and dlmmlng disk OF set.
ting sun made each cloud look porteni
loua md lowering,