Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-28

~ ELIAS glance and tone made
Hilary think of a hare sud
denly alert at danger behind
its screen Of brushwood.
Il mean Serge Kirilenko,
Celia He is one Of the finest
young fellows | know. Gifted.
sensitive, honorable. in every way.
If I had a daughter I'd ask
nothing better for her than such
man as husband"
Celia was silent for what seemed to
Hilary long time. then she remarked
in a casual, natural tone:
I've always thought husband SUCH
q very ugly word"
Hilary looked at her keenly. Was
she trying to be funny, in order to
postpone the issue? Somehow he
couldn't imagine Celia trying to be
funny But what a queer way to
answer his recommendation of kiri-
lenko
He had better, he thought, take her
remark as naturally as it had been
spoken So he smiled and said that he,
too, didn't think the word husband
particularly euphonious, but that what
he wanted to talk to her about was
the substance it represented and not
the symbol itself.
81 had a letter from kirilenko this
morning In it he makes you another
proposal of marriage. Now don't
speak too quickly he begged, as he
saw her lips part.
Celia's lips closed obediently, and he
went on to say not only few but
great many things with some elo-
Quence.
He could not have spoken so con-
Vincingly, of course, had he not be-
Neved what he was saying. When he
stopped at last and asked anxiously:
well, Celia? What am 1
to say to Kirilenko?"
She replied at once: please don't
be angry with me but If you
will be so kind. say I am sorry, but
that I can't think of marrying him."
But that's cruel. Celia, to
send him word that you can't even
think of marrying him! Why
won't YOU say instead that you will
think of 1t, and then see more of him?
I am sure that you'd change your
mind if you saw more of him."
NO said Celia. with decision.
THAT would be cruel. because now
only don't want to marry him, but If
] saw more of him l should dislike
him"
Dislike a man for loving you and
wanting to marry your" asked Hilary,
in a reproachful tone.
THAT is just what makes it so I'M
pleasant. Besides, he doesn't really
love me. He may think so. but he
only really loves his queer statues.
look like them. so he imagines he loves
Celia How can you Be so abb
surd?" cried Hilary. but he was glad
hn IL Ill -
felt the blood rising into his face
There was just enough truth in what
she said to make him feel uncomfort-
able.
Il isn't absurd It's true"
said Celia calmly. You must have
noticed it, haven't your"
Il certainly have not" he answered
with some irritation. you might say
che same thing Of any caricature of
very tall woman
Celia was silent.
Haven't you any more weighty
reason to give me for refusing even to
consider his offer?" he inquired at
last. trying to keep his irritation out
Of his voice this time.
NO" said Celia, except :"
We'll? Except ;"
Except that I don't want to marry
any one. :" She added firmly,
before he could speak: II dislike the
idea OF marriage"
DO you mean you dislike it because
you don't happen to like Kirilenko?
Or In itself?"
Il dislike it in every way. I shall
never marry
This, coming on top of last nights
fruitless vigil. and her quenching Of
that one ray of hope. quite exasper-
ated him.
You say that very coolly, my dear
girl. Have you ever thought what
you will do If you don't marry?"
Her quick glance showed surprise.
Il have money of my own
$4,000 year, you told me Il
can live on that :"
Really, you talk like a childn ex-
claimed Hilary. "A girl Of 20 can't
live alone"
But they do" said Celia.
Hilary quite lost his temper
They are not my wards" he re-
turned sharply. Il have something
to say in the matter. | must remind
you, and I do not choose that you
shall live alone" He paused to get