Evening star., 1926-03-18

Celia with repuis'1i. and again he
began to laugh consumedly.
90, Melusine, Melusine" he cried.
your appearance is that of a water
witch, but your words are at times
those of kid
Celia smiled as she walked beside
him.
IL suppose" offered she. that the
reason we like so much TO be together
Is because we're so different"
Padraic had his sudden soberness.
Perhaps we're more alike than you
think-perhaps you'll know it
some day"
His look and tone were again queer.
Celia felt all at once happy. just be-
cause they were queer. She walked
silently beside him toward the water.
pondering this in her heart.
That evening. as she and Hilary had
no engagement. they dined alone to-
gether. His boyish lock of the morn
ing was quite gone. his hair. no longer
wet and rumpled, had assumed again
its appearance of a thick, black velvet
cap. The little spray of silver on his
left temple, together with his monocle
and correct evening dress, made him
resemble some distinguished public
person. she thought an ambassador or
Savant.
It's very nice to see you there op-
posite me again." he said, smiling at
her in his kind way.
II had a dreary luncheon all alone.
though of course" he hastened to add.
for fear she should infer some re-
proach. II was delighted to know
what fun you were having"
Celia had an extraordinary memory
for the little things people said. that
indicated character, and often clashed
with later assertions on their part. She
recalled now that Hilary had once re-
marked what a mistake he thought it
on the part of LuculluS to have had
even one other person at his rare re-
pasts, as the custom of eating in COM
pany was really a barbarism. Her re-
fiection ran that il was very kind of
Hilary to tell this fib, and feien lone.
illness that he couldn't possibly have
felt merely to give her pleasure. Were
she to die suddenly or disappear for
good, she was sure that he would he
very sorry for her sake, but only mod.
erately for his own. Perhaps il he had
been nearer her age. it would have
been different She saw him
again in his white canvas fencing
clothes, and wet, ruffied hair. and won.
dered what he had been like when
he was young. AS to that, he had
looked much younger that morning,
and had acted and spoken, too, more
like a younger man.
You always say such kind things
to me" she now murmured, then With
apparent irrelevancy:
II do wish you didn't have to wear
q monocle."
Hilary laughed.
II don't have to wear one" said he
h4r te,t, Il
how grew into habit. You must
really want to see. If you like
won't wear 1t again.
And he took off the monocle and
laid it on the table beside him.
Celia felt her cheeks growing warm.
I'm afraid that was, very disre
spectful of me-" she said, On sorry"
MY dear girir' exclaimed Hilary,
rather vexed, you do have the odd
est notions! respectful.
BY what unhappy blunder Of word or
deed. have 1 ever given you the idea
that wanted you to be respectful to
me? After ALL" he went on, I'm
Forty-four doesn't require deferential
respect from %" -
Perhaps" replied Celia, "I ought to
have said impertinent instead of re-
spectful 1t was taking a liberty. I
had 40 right to make such a personal
remark"
There was nothing to do but laugh.
so Hilary laughed again. -
"Nny, you queer child, don't vcu
know it flatters me very much to Dave
YOU take an interest In my personal
beauty?" he said lightly.
To this Celia replied with her air
of considering seriousness:
mo, you aren't beautiful, but you
are very distinguished looking. It's
better for a man it, she
broke off. continuing hurriedly: For "a
man like you to look distinguished
than beautiful
Copyright. 1920. by Amelc Rives,