The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1915-08-11

here than anywhere else; because I've
had good supper, after plenty Of On
erciso: because the night smells OF
be,eam; because the moon is shining.
and because I've got delightful com
panion.'
IAN these things make me happy.
too" said Celestia. "but they couldn't
keep me happy for long"
sNoYs said Tommy. somewhat cha
erined. III these things are enough.
why want more?'
why" said Celestia, after Q while
I'd get thinking about people who
haven't delightful companions, and for
whom the moon isn't shining:
couldn't rest then until I'd gone to
them and tried to make their lives
easier and their hearts stronger and"
here she laughed softly their
heads fuller Of sense"
1T would be the opposite with me-
said Tommy; "the longer we stayed
here. the less I'd get thinking about
other people and the more I'd get
thinking about us. Every mortal man,
suppose, has his conception Of
heaven"--he pulled luxuriously at his
pipe-"and this is NINE"
After that they were silent for a
little.
Then Tommy said: ~Are you warm2
Are you comfortable?"
She nodded.
Then very softly:
Celestial" he said. Are you hap
py?'
81 don't know she said. Can you
be happy when 1t Isn't right for you
to be happy? 1t isn't right for one TO
be happy. because other people aren't"
81 am" said Tommy. "At this mo
ment the sufferings Of others don't
get me. You see. have to be shown.
Suppose at this moment the entire
population of China, having eaten I'm
moderately of contaminated rice, was
dying OF fits. / wouldn't care. !
wouldn't even know Celestia. II you
stayed long enough in the woods, don't
you think maybe you'd forget all about
heaven and your mission to earth, and
be content to be happy? Listen. Once
In my life l was really happy. ! was
little boy; she was little girl. II
she'd grown up she would have looked
lille you Perhaps that's why I'm SO
happy to be with you. She and we're
always happy when we were together
or looking forward to being together.
Then ore day she went away, Celestial
She went to heaven, they told me. And
for long time l was terribly UNI
happy"
Celestia sighed
But I'm happy with you" said
Tommy. because can almost i'm
agine that you are she-grown up. I'm
going to pretend that you are she.
That she is the angel they've sent
back to earth to make us all better"
And he smiled very tenderly upon
her.
After awhile Celestia became sleepy.
and then she slipped her hand into
one of Tommy's. and leaned against
him and laid her head on his shoulder. (
1t was as II she had been little
child. Tommy was deeply moved and
touched, and at the same time the
close physical contact began to trou-
BILE him, to brighten him. He spoke
and it seemed as If with his voice he'll
was trying to lift weight.
you poor baby" he said. you're
dead tired. It's bedtime"
He rose, little roughly, and helped
her to her feet.
When they reached the little hut.
Tommy said
Now, you turn in there and make
comfy. Goodnight"
Goodnight" she said, and went into
the hut.
Tommy stood looking at the fire.
He stood for quite long time. in
deep reverie Celestia's voice brought
him out of IL.
Aren't you coming?" she said
He turned and looked her In the
eyes. What was she? Was she the
most innocent and guileless creature
-