The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1925-06-25
r. lsffs9

were engaged at their usual after-sup-
per occupation, sitting on CeHa's
porch recounting the incidents of
their day-long separation, for Paul
kept books and Celia taught school
through most of the working hours.
They lived in adjoining houses,
and, even il they had not loved each
other, it would have been natural to
Paul to prefer to sit with Celia on
her porch rather than alone on his
own.
They did love each other, and
though nothing was really settled yet,
it was understood that they would be
married as soon as they could afford
to set up housekeeping. Most of the
money Celia earned went to the bank
for the purpose of buying linen and
china when they were needed. And
Paul was saving just as carefully, in
larger amounts, for he earned more.
They were very young and happy
people, to be envied, Celia thought
until that evening.
She had q new dress, blue lawn
with a bit of white lace to set 1t Off
Paul, being man, was not very OBJ
serving Of woman's attire, but he was
sure to notice hers sooner or later.
AS 1t was, he had looked at her APP
provingly and to Celia, who could dis
tinguish degrees in his admiration,
that was almost happiness enough.
While she sat waiting, the door of
tho nnnncffn nd fxrrr,
women came out and sat down in the
comfortable looking chairs standing
there. One of the women was Mrs.
Carr, who lived in the house, a gay
young matron who had little in com
mon with her palmer neighbors, and
the other the guest who had come
that day from the city to stay with
her for time.
The strange woman was young AS
FOX looks, she might have stepped
bodily from a page of the latest
fashion journal. Her gown was blue,
but not the crude blue of Celia's
cheap lawn It's delicate texture ex-
pressed itself in alluring effects of
sheen and shadow. Her sleeves were
very long, her collar very high, her
skirt very narrow.
And her hair-blond crisp pro-
fuse, one mass of waves and puffs
and bewitching little curls all around,
bound together, as it were, with a
filet of blue that matched her gown.
Celia had never seen such dress
or such hair. She felt keenly the diff
ference between herself and the city
girl and wondered if Paul felt it also
When she spoke she knew that he
did.
"Great Scott!" he exclaimed softly,
"who's that?s
"Some friend of Mrs. Carr's. Ce-
liza answered.
my, she's great"
The girl opposite, aware that she
was creating a sensation with these
country lovers, fiirted prettily with
Spunk, Mrs. Carr's fox terrier puppy,
who had followed them out upon the
veranda, and raised her voice so that
it could be heard distinctly.
"Don't let Spunk put her feet on
your dress, Marie, Mrs Carr said
anxiously.
She won't hurt this old gown, /
guess, the girl cried.
@Old gown? Gee!" Paul glanced
at Celia, and finding the apparition
across the way more engaging, there
after confined his attention to her.
Celia was beyond speaking. The
most she could do was to choke back
her tears. Never before had Paul
ever noticed any other girl in her
presence.
Paul went home a little earlier
than usual, wondering what was the
matter with her. The moment he
was gone Celia flew to her room and
studied the young woman she saw in
the glass.
The young woman's dress was too
blue, and her hair poor Celia
clutched it in despair She had all
ways thought she had plenty of hair,
but that girl across the way had
pounds where she had ounces. She
had never SEEN SO much hair on any
one head in her life. Blonde hair,
JOO. Ou0 lON6Q DIOuuS udlT. d0IS
was ugly and dark
AS the days went on. Celia became
more and more heartsick. Paul came
dutifully to sit with her each evening,
but his eyes and ears were all for the
amazing young person across the way.
/ And Celia had to sit by meelly and
see him admiring another girl.
She was not SO angry as she was
hurt; not so Jealous really as she was
despairing. 1t was too bad, yet what
could she do save hope and pray that
the disturbing fair Marie would
take her charms elsewhere?
Though Paul said nothing, she felt
his growing dissatisfaction with her
each time his eyes rested upon her.
One delightful Sunday afternoon
they we're shifting together as usual
on Celia's porch So far there had
been no sign of Marie but Celia
knew that her appearance was pend
Ing for she could see a stir behind
the thu curtains Of the Cars guest