The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1916-02-17
FOURTH INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER X.

But Tommy stopped short with
kind of jerk. as a tethered animal
stops when it comes to the end OF It's
rope; for he saw clearly, and all in a
moment. that il was not woman who
invited him to share the shelter of the
hut. but little child. He stopped
short then and smiled as a boy smiles.
Not room enough for two in there,
he said. but If YOU get frightened or
want anything. just call, III hear.
And-good night"
1t seemed darker when she had
closed the door of the hut and no
longer cleaned in the fire light. Pro
fessor Stilliter lowered his rife with
a suppressed sigh OF relief and sank
down among the bushes. And when
Tommy. healthIully tired. had fallen
into sound sleep he withdrew To n
distance with his followers and passed
night OF supreme discomfort uaou
the hard ground Gelestia WAS safe
in Tommy's care. and there was ne
use separating them before morning.
Bright and early Celestia walked and
stepped from the hat mo the cold.
still Adirondack dawn. Tommy. his
feet to the fire that had almost died.
still slept. She knelt By him Hud
studied his face at leisure Presently
she touched his hand cautiously With
the tip OF her finger and found that Il
was cold. Then, happy as child. to
be OF service. she put wood on the fire
and blew the embers into flame Sull
Tommy did not wake. aud she kneit
b. him once more and. With a laugh.
lowed her lovely head and kissed him.
Tommy WAS dreaming OF her. She
had promised 10 marry him as soon
as he had killed the horrible dragon
that lived under the hill. Tommy,
after a desperate battle, in which he
was armed with only n ci.n opener. had
Just succeeded in opening the Dragons
jugular vein. and Was just rushing out
from under the hill to claim his re
ward from the waiting Ceiestia, wheG
she really kissed him. and h walked,
and knew that Ia had been kissed
His very first words were OF reproof.
"Celestia. dear he said. you
mustn't do that"
Mustn't kiss you?'
-s'Of course not.
Her great eyes assumed an injured
cook.
in heaven" she said. AN angel al
ways wakes me with kiss.
Tommy was wide awake now.
What kind OF an angelo" he in
nuired With kind OF cold suspicion in
his voice.
"Oh." she said careIessly. anyone
that happened to pass by, and thought
that | had slept long enough. But
1then Celes,ia liked TO be kissed, Don't
humansf"
YES" said Tommy, sometimes. |
liked it, Only among us it's sacred
sort OF thing, and grown-up humans re
serve their kisses for celestial moods,
or for children. who are always rather
heavenly" As he spoke, he began 10
prepare breakfast. and Celestia smiled
upon him. but not as II she was very
much Interested in what he had said.
or indeed understood II. Suddenly she
said:
Il want TO cook.
"you do. do you? DO you know
how?"
"Ive watched you
Tommy rose with laugh.
Then you shall" he said. and I'll
have a swim to wake me up.
"A swim?"
"You do IL In the water" said
Tommy grayely. and he made swim
ming motions with his arms.
"Oh. but I'd rather swim. too, than
cook" said Celestia and she prepared
to follow him. But Tommy shook his
head
Somebody has to cook" he said.
"and | was the first to think about
swimming and so it would be selfish
OF you"
"You were nicer to me yesterday,
said Celestia. and she turned with a
little cry Of establishment 10 the kettle
which had just boiled over
Tommy hurried away ehHekling. and
Just before he came to the Narrow
Island Beach he stripped aud hung his
clothes on a tree limb. then be ran
into the water until II was waist deep
and then dove,
Celesta. busy with the cooking was
not troubling her mind about celestial
affairs.
The reason that Tommy could not
understand Celestia was simple. She
could not explain herself. She be
lieved beyond question Il I she had
always lived in heaven II the day