Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-24

she spoke TO you about it." he said
severely.
But she didn't speak to me about
IT."
Then how began Hilary
Il knew 1t for myself"
Hilary thought for Il moment, then
he said: Il don't like nicknames and
/ thought that one especially ugly
$50 did t. said Celia.
He reflected again.
Why didn't you ask her not TO do
IT, yourself. Celia?"
"It didn't really matter" she an
swered TRANQUILITY Il am absurdly
tall-but I'm used to it."
They were walking along the shore
and had now come to the gate of
Laura's villa. Laura and Maudie had
already entered the grounds.
Let us walk on suggested Hilary
as Celia was about to follow them
I'm leaving tomorrow. and I've seen
YOU only i'll glimpseS. We really ought
to know each other Il little better"
Her glance fitted to his face, then
away.
Il don't think 1 know myself, she
said, as they walked on.
who does?" asked he lightly But
there are some things l must discover
about you; for eXample-are you inter
ested or bored at the idea of going out
with Maudie this Winter?"
She hesitated and, after another
glance at him, seemed to determine on
frankness.
II don't mind, but 1 think it will be
hard on Mrs. Eversham. Only pretty
girls have a nice time at balls.
shall be on her hands so much"
The concern in her voice was all for
laura, but he couldn't think of her in
that moment as unSeltish, being too
convinced of the genuine depth of her
Indifference.
My dear child" he exclaimed with
Lind banality. why do you say such
Il thing
Now her glance had in it a CLEAN
of surprise, almost of reproach
DO you think | don't know how
ugly I amp" asked she III her turn.
Hilary had prompt and sincere de-
NAL for this.
You are not ugly, Celia-to an
artist or lover of art like me there
is a great charm in the things that
may strike you as ugly. I assure you
[ am not saying this just to please
you"
Celia was SO much surprised that
she stopped short.
II am not ugly? I?' she breathed
1t was as if. not doubling his sin.
certify, his words had dazed her.
certainly you are not. Your type
is very original though You
should have gowns that go with it
that bring it out. -
An idea flashed into his mind: L
VIII design Your gowns for this
Winter myself, Celia, If you like"
She turned so pale that he was
afraid he had hurt her strange. hidden
feelings In some way.
whats the matter, Celia? If you
don't want me to. of course I won't
Interfere. 1t was only that
thought"
He had to bend nearer to catch her
'nurmured interruption.
PLEASE re one was it orsr isn't >. that
She broke off, Her pale little face
was bent from him. She took up her
broken sentence in a level tone:
mo one was ever so kind to me
not even your sister. I thank
you. / shall be glad
The New York season was q great
success for Maudie, and Celia. to her
surprise, also received some attention.
The Celia of the old ginghams and
flannel skirts looked really quite an
other Celia when dressed In some
medieval costume of Hilary's design
ing: or a Venetian gown of antique
brocade. showing the Chinese inf1u-
ence. her mass of green gold hair
wound with seed pearls and sur.
mounted by quaint pseudo Chinese
headdress.
She herself felt shyly grotesque at
first In these strange garments Then,
noticing the cloud that gathered in
Naudie's eyes as they fixed on her,
was treasured. Her belief in the In
falhbflity of the Pope had gone, but
from that moment her belief in the
infallibility of her guardian became
liked. She felt she must always do
what he suggested. not only because
he was her guardian but because he
WAS also the wisest and kindest Of
men.
So instead of dropping her tall fig.
ure self-consciously, she Strengthened
If to the last inch, and wore the queer
yet lovely colthes he had designed
for her as If. SO Laura said, "she had
been born in them"
''0hs was born for Them" Hilary
corrected. much pleased with this
result q sas q his efforts 10 make