The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-06

houses that on rainy, cold days looks even grayer than it is.
 Today they were the color of that stone when the warm sun falls full upon itl Brown shining through a little warm glow. They were the most beautiful eyes 1 had ever seen.
 My whole soul was on my lips as he caressed me with his glance. I told him my impressions of everyone and everything that the day con- tained
 He did not answer. but let me babble on, and I got the impression that anything I said. was of par tieular interest to him.
 Every movie fan knows Theodore Stratton. The secret of his popular ity is that he can project upon the screen that air of seeming interest and understanding of everything that is going on about him while keeping perfectly still.
 One has only to imagine that in- terest and personality. multiplied many times, to know how the man affected the impressionable girl I was that day. He seemed something more than human. I watched his long, lean hands lightly grasping the steering wheel and I had an almost irresistible desire to touch them. I must have unconsciously leaned against him, for l felt his body grow little tense against mine as he murmured:
 Poor little child so tired, so tired Your courage is at low ebb, isn't it2 Don't lose it, honey In the movies you will need it all and more"
 You have given it back to me, MT. Stratton. I'm not tired any longer. It has been just glorious day"
 Theodore Stratton turned so quick ly that the car swerved Do you know, child. that is the sweetest com pliment I ever received. In all my life I have never had one like it."
 T did not mean 1t aS compliment. l was only telling you about myself I didn't realize that you entered into it"
 That is the reason it was so beau tiful. wish you could have seen yourself as you stood there under the lamplight. Your shoulders were dropping. l could not see your face, for your head was bowed, but if there was ever a model for the statue of weariness of body and soul, it was the little figure standing there in the soft glow of the electric street lamp
 Now, child, your shoulders arc squared again, your face is upturned, your eyes are bright, your soft young mouth is smiling, and you tell me It has been just a glorious day
 You'll let me think, child, won't you, that I have changed this day from gray to gold for you? It doesn't happen often; in fact I do not re- member ever having done it before even for myself. My days, too, have been gray days CT gold days and have accepted them as they came.'
 little selfish regret pricked my heart that he should have had gold days before he knew me. With an ef- fort had to admonish myself not to be silly for the low voice of Theo- dore Stratton was still beating against my brain.
 I'm old, old, child. Why, not so long ago a little girl very much like you said I was like her grand"
 He stopped and peered closely into my face. could not help my look of recognition as I excitedly repeated; You won't ever tear off my wings, will you?"
 For answer he grasped the wheel so tightly that his knuckles shone blue and the brakes groaned as though hurt and we came to a sudden stop.
 Good Lordl I knew the other night that I had seen you somewhere. Why didn't you tell me?"
 T was afraid you would think me forward
 Forward?" I knew by his tone that I had used a word not in the modern girls vocabulary. You quaint little being you"
 T recognized you the moment 1 looked at you, MT. Stratton, because you had been so wonderful to me on the train. And it really just hurt me little to think that it was only casual kindness you had shown me then, for you didn't recognize me-"
 Tt is Fate" he murmured Fate, which has given me something I do not deserve.
 "Hellol Helloi Hello, Teddy Com, ing to the club to dinner with us?" came from q motor filled with men that had driven up beside us
 Sure, Jim. I'll be there in 15 min utes." and the car rolled on.
 With a sharp intake of breath sensed that in his change of thought was forgotten for a moment And then, as he turned his expressive face toward me, I reproved myself for that jealous instant. as I thought: What wonderful actor he isl"
 Copyright, John F. Dille Co.)