Evening star., 1926-03-24

fectly we'll that I'm in love with you.
How could he help knowing it?" He's
a good sort. I'm sure, and wants you
to he happy" 49,,
1T isn't so much that he'd mind as
that I'd mind" she said etifi1y.
TITS dear OF you to mind. OF course.
mlrmured Padraic disconsolately. "but
can't help wishing that YOU cared FOR
me enough to think only OF you and
me-
well. I don't" returned Celia with
some shortness.
Padraic jumped to his feet at that.
and vigorously kicked back log that
had rolled on to the hearth. The
UP the wide chimney throat was like
the tizz Of anger that had rushed
through him at her words.
He turned away and seated himself
on the cushioned fender little apart
from her. kneading his hands together
between his knees. and looking down
at them. his black brows bent gloom
ilv. Then he looked up at her. There
was temper in the pinch Of his nostrils
and his narrowed lids. He would have
enjoyed shaking Celia at that moment
until her silver headdress fell off.
Look here, Melusine." said he, II
WONDER IL YOU tIliItk III tHc tSPC "
be cast for the role OF Cavaliere
Servente in a play by Coldoni?"
The mere fact that he was losing
his self.control made Celia regain hers.
ITS a very silly type and you are
not at all silly, so how could / think
it?"
Then will you love me and :. .
marry me?"
This was unplea sanity reminiscent
Of Lily Parkins. who wore the engage
ment ring of her proposed second hus-
band before she was divorced from her
first. Celia replied coolly:
How can l marry YOU when I'm
married to some one else?'
Padraic wanted to shout at her. but
he said with velvet softnesS -
like a shot If you asked for it."
II shall never ask Tor IL"
Good God" cried Padraic, really
aghast. and stared at her as II she
were Medusa rather than Melusine.
He sprang to his feet again. and this
time all temper had gone from his
face. II, was as pale AS hers and had
a stricken lonk. When he tried ia
speak. his voice choked. He had to
turn from her. and come back again
before he could manage 1t. -
THAT means I'm to 60 80. .
and for good" he said shakenly, Il
suppose you really don't know what
love means or you "ouion
have :. ~
He couldn't continue. and broke of
muttering.- Goodbye. as ne turned
toward the door. e !.
'Padraic." called Gala.
It was a cri du occur. a cry OF real
distress and brought Padraic about
with q swing. AS soon as he saw the
expression on her face. he ran back
| to her, kneeling beside her again and
catching both her hands against his
breast. The blue fame had leaped
once more into his eyes.
What is it? What Is IT." he whis-
pered in that warm, ardent voice OF
| his.
"Padraic," said Celia piteously. her
breast heaving and her. rare blush
covering her face to the rim of the
silver headdress.
"Padraic Il can't help
Won in my way. And you
misunderstood just now
didn't mean that would never marry
YOU. If could love you enough
l.. ! only meant that would
| never ask for A divorce II
II find that do love you
enough | will
go away with you. and then he can get
a divorce from me.
Good God!' exclaimed Padraic a
second time. but this time. he said II
softly, and there was a quaint Wor-
shiping look In his eyes oddly mingled
of mirth and tenderness:
"I -. am not anxious to. be
married again to- any one :. :.
even If I love him" pursued
Celia in further explanation. and com.
pleted his astonishment. You see. ]
wouldn't want any one to stay with
me if he stopped loving me =.
And I have money Of my own -.
so that he needn't mind leaving me
You are the most adorable infantr
murmured Padraic, the words mufied
| in her hands, which he was kissing
fervently.
please please don't think
I don't mean it," she urged.
ITS because ] know how entirely
YOU do mean it that l want to cry.
said he, continuing that rapid shower
of kisses on her hands and wrists.
The one man, the one creature In
truth who had ever really loved her,
had come back to her from the brink
of final departure. She would love
him She must love him
Az first move In this direction
summcning all her will power. she