Evening star., 1924-06-22

had been singuiariy beautiful to
James, but II had now a note that
was entirely new and Infinitely more
beautiful, note very full, yet very
low-'Refore you start" she said,
there's one thing I'd like you TO
know, because i think it will make
your imagining all the more real to
you. It's this-that II you for ever
SO long have wanted to be in love,
to make love to some one, oh, so
have ]. all my life. wanted 10 be
loved!'
by golly." said James. have you
though?'
"Oh. most fright1ully. Oh, just as
you have wanted to make love, 80
I have wanted, oh wanted, 10 be
loved"1
My goodn ness." said James.
"Oh. wanted to be! So you see,
what I wanted to tell you is this:
That you needn't think. and so per-
haps out Of consideration for me
lose some of your happiness in this
you needn't think I'm not enjoying
this pretending just as much as you
I am. Oh. just as much. You want
ed 1t and you asked me TO help and
it just happened that l wanted 1t
too, most frightfully."
BY Jove," said James. that Is
funny"
II thought it would make it better
for you to know that"
TT does" said James. BY Jove,
now / can start
James then started
THE day spent at Somewhere by
L Sea by James and Elsie is per-
fect1y described by a single word
hlisxfuL The sun shone and the birds
sxug and the waves murmured !:
and first the two strolled hand in
downs above the sea; and then lay
down upon the cliis: and then were
hungry; and then had lunch; and
then were hand in hand again: and
then had tea; and then again were
StTolling.
They didn't-as It turned out-tAk
about love James simply imagined
that he was in love with Elsie and
he knew (becaHse she had told him
so, that in the imagination of Elsie
he was loved by Elsie. and all he
had to do, and all he did do, was to
keep on imagining it and Mxuri-
atin.s in it. AS to talking love. there
was made indeed by James the dis
covery that for the expression OF the
state of being in love, of loving,
there are but three words: and
James, thinking it. profoundly was
moved by it and communicated It
10 Elsie. "And that being So" said
James. II think I had better say the
three words. il you don't mind; and
said them.
Now you," said James Not if
you'd rather not. of course; but !
think you'd better"
She asked him gently: 1T isn't
real?'
absolutely not" said James.
She told him, scarcely to be heard,
.I love you"
..This is lovely" said James.
She echoed Lovely"
Echoi No, not the eSho's note was
| in her voice; rather the stir that
! through the perfect silence OF a for
est something moves; something as
strange as that, something akin as
that to a volitfon mysterious, lntan-
gible, not to be perceived. He noticed
| II whenever '1t isn't reaI?" she asked.
, 1T isn't real?" when he had gone to
| place his arm about her; TT isn't
| real?. when she must hear, and then
must say, the words of love; 1T isn't
real?" when on the cliffs he had sug-
gested holding hands; TT isn't realE
| when
This was when remained to them
final hour before the road to the
station must be taken. Night owned
I the hour and hung out all her lamps
to jewel it TO rthem.
| They were upon the beach, seated
with backs against the cliff. and Win
the sea. returning night her lamps,
at melody before them. They mad
been thus two hours.
James stirred and stretcneo ms
wrist ont from his cuff and saw his
watch; his other hand held botn OF
Elsie's hands.
well have to move" said James.
She did not answer.
There's a last thing, said James.
"1 rather think it's the most I'M
portant thing OF all rather think
we ought to leave it out I mean
for me to kiss you"
She did not answer.
"of course, If you think it's going
hit too far" said James.
He thought he felt her shiver. Not
cold are you?" said James. We'll be
walking in a minute. Well. what
about this kissing ideaT He took his
hand from her hands and put his arm
4 about her. II do hope you aren't
| cold" he said.
Her voice, scarcely to be heard, was
| Just heard by James, IF 1t is what
you'd like"
| WELL I certainly would" said
James. He bent his head to hers. i
must say It's most awfully nice of
you" y