The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1916-02-10

! here than anywhere else: because I've
had a good supper. after plenty OF az
ercise: because the night smells OF
| basam: because the moon is shining.
and because I've got delightful COM
| panion."
"All these things make me happy.
too" said Celestia, but they couldn'e
keep me happy for. long
Mo-" said Tommy, somewhat cha
grined. IF these things are enough
why want more?"
Why" said Celestia, after a 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 liveA
easier and their hearts stronger and"
here she laughed softly-"theiF
heads fuller of sense"
1t would be the opposite with me-"
said Tommy: the longer we stayed
here, the less Id get thinking about
other people and the more Id get
thinking about us Every mortal man.
suppose. has his conception OF
heaven'-he pulled luxuriously at his
pipe-"and this is mine"
After Kat they we're silent for .
little
Then Tommy said Are you warmf
Are you comfortable'"
She nodded.
Then very softly:
"Celestia." he said. Are you hap
py?"
Il don't know" she said. Can you
be happy when 1t isn't right for yon
to be happy? 1t isn't right for one to
be happy. because other people aren't"
Il 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 Inn
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
a little boy. she was little girl. "
she'd grown up she would have looked
like you. Perhaps that's why I'm so
happy to be with you. She and were
always happy when we were together
or looking forward to being together.
Then one day she went away. Celestia.
She went TO heaven. they told me And
for a long time was terribly IN
happy
Celestia sighed
but I'm happy with you" said
Tommy because | can almost i'm
agiue that yeu are she-Erewn up. I'm
going 10 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.
aud then she slipped her hand into
one OF Tommy's. and leaned against
him and laid her head on his shoulder.
Il was as II she had been n little
child Tommy was deeply moved and
touched. and at the same time the
close physical contact began to trou-
BILE him. To friglteu him He spoke
ard II seemed as IL with his voice he
was trying TO lift a 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 aud make
yourself comfy. Good night"
Good night" she said. and went into
the hut
Tommy stood looking az the fire.
He stood for quite long time, In .
deep reyerie Celestia's voice brought
him out OF II.
Aren't you coming" she said
He turned and looked her in tho
eyes What was she? Was she the
most innocent and guileless creature