Evening star., 1925-06-12
(Continued from Yesterdays Staro

Madam" interrupted Aristide, and
his voice had a ring oe sincerity which
pleased the comtesse, madam, moth
ing could give me greater pleasure
than to offer you this book il it were
only possible. But, alas, we authors
are negligent people. l do not possess
a single copy. And as to buying 1t
he shrugged his shoulders eloquently.
''Nfademoiselle performed a miracle in
getting it. 1 doubt II there is another
copy in all Paris"
Constance. who was happy over the
turn the affair had taken, corroborat-
ed Aristide eagerly.
Yes, madam" she explained, Il
had a very hard time getting that
work. Brentano's were all out of 1t.
At last found it In little book shop
in the Palais Royale. Evidently 1t Is
out of print
Yes" continued Aristide. ut is out
Of print, and if l ever regretted that
fact 1 regret it today"
''Why, no." chided the comteSse,
you should be proud that work OF
this type has sold so well. You'll pre-
sent to me then the first copy of the
second edition."
1.-The second edition." sighed Aris-
tide. II wish I could see it already.
But you know. madam, how publishers
blame them. Bookmaking is costly
luxury nowadays. Now there is my
friend Mondell'-
"Ah, yes, NJ. Mondell," remembered
the comtesse. He was good enough
to send me your other books, and 1
am truly grateful to him. l enjoyed
immensely your Fairy Tales for
WorldlyWise.' Do read me Blue
Roses once more. I think that's my
favorite."
The comtesse, who was not far from
so, had no illusions about herself. She
knew that she was no longer young
and she said sometimes with a wry
smile:
II am the most dismal creature in
the world. I am a charming woman
who does not charm any more"
But though she had lost the form
and features of youth, all the eager
ness, the enthusiasm, the quick per
ceptions of a young heart and mind
were still hers; and however disagree
able she could be as an enemy, just SC
delightful and helpful she was as a
friend. And to Aristide she became
at once very loyal and devoted
friend. She liked him unreservedly
though she chided him necessarily.
You see," she explained TO him
there are people who are excellent
In every detail. I approve of every
trait in them; they have the right
opinions, they do the right things, they
even have the right manners. Yet, on
the whole and taking it all in all.
have no use for them. And then again
there are others who constantly irri
cate me; who in every detail of their
personality annoy me and make me
angry: who never do what I expect
them to do, never say what I wish to
hear, never even behave as I think 1t
right to behave. And yet, on the
whole and taking 1t all in all, they are
the people I care for, the people /
want, the ones / am truly fond of.
You. Aristide. belong to this class.
You annoy me extremely. yet l like
you nevertheless. And because I like
you tell you frankly you waste your
time. You are more than a writer;
you are a scholar, a scientist. You
know the hidden recesses of the hui
man mind, the dim past of the human
race. Instead of cynical, playful little
things-be they as charming as they
may-you ought to write for us works
of abiding value. Monumental things.
But you are abominably lazy"
Artstide looked up from his teacup
with which he was playing and asked
with queer smile:
whoever told you, chere annie, that
am scholar and a scientist? Per
maps you are mistaken IN this dSSump-
tion."
Nonsense exclaimed the comtesse
sharply. THE author of 'Loutre' is a
scholar and scientist. Don't pretend
to me. Only, as l say and the more s
the pity, you are negligent creature.
But am going to take care of you; I
am going to find for you the right
place and the proper career"
Aristide lifted his hands in mock
terror.
Have pity" he groaned, "let me off
easy. Whatever you do, don't make
me professor. I'd balk at that
But why?" persisted the comtesse.
you'd make an excellent professor.
You look so delightfully."- pictorial. We
could send you as an exchange profes-
sor to America and you'd marry an
heiress. Wouldn't you like that?'
NO" said Aristide decidedly, mot at
all. But then, l am never permitted
to do what like. lead life that is
utterly distasteful. to me. Well, what S
the difference?"
None at ALL" the comtesse assured
him. "If you were leading the life you
dream of, you would abhor 1t equally.
Things look pleasant only from afar.
The charm Of distance lends them
grace and color and beauty. But when
we come near we find the same sor-
didness, the same dullness, the same
gray and intolerable boredom. I am