The Coolidge examiner., 1934-08-24

1 ptneo. lie told himself. az hrsts
thar bis feeling for Celia had nj.
tered. that be saw her. now. not as
= lovely image which be had ere
aied but as she really was. capri
ciouE. a little selfish. given 20
dramauElng herself.
lie tried 10 make himself believe
that Il was better so. The chances
for their happiness together would
be greater II he realized and &C.
ccpied her limitations II be could
think og her as a human being and
not as something be bad imagined
lie made an attempt 10 adjust his
emotions. lie discovered. one eve
ming. that be had DO emotions left
20 be adjusted
lie came into the garden. on that
particular evening through the alley
way gate. The garden was fra
grant with lllacs and the drifting
petals OF the apple blossoms The
night vas mild and sparkling with
stars Hugh walked under the ar.
Dor. breathing In the fragrance Of
spring.
Through the foliage of the Rrbor
he saw two figures seated beneath
the caiAlpa tree one OF them Was
Celia. He heard her laugh. Saw her
head. a faint blur through the
shadoEG She was talking TO Tom
McAllls;er.
Hello Hugh called.
There was n stir under the caial.
"a tree Celia ran across the grass
20 meet him.
Il was waiting for you. Hugh.
she said. slipping Der arm through
his
You're very much dressed up.
lie saw beneath her shawl the hlmy
rurles Of tuIle.
TON wants me 10 20 20 the club.
Celia exclaimed
Its a sort OF farewell party"
Tom added. I'm on 10 California
the nrxi Of next week"
Sorry Hugh said. Il can't leave
the house tonight ! may be called
out any time"
Hugh - There was a note Of re-
proach in Cellas soft voice.
lie gently pressed her hand.
"You run along with Tom" he
said. -and have a nice tine
lie didn't mind Celia going with
Tom That was something to think
about. lie thought about IL as he
changed into dressing gown and
slippers and switched on the read
lng lamp In his room. He had
new detective novel Hugh settled
himself with u contented feeling. ni
a cigarette. opened the book.
There was a gentle tap al the
door.
Come In" he called. thinking
that JAMIE had returned.
II was Celia
Il couldn't 10 without you she
said
Three months ago the fact that
she had given up party 10 stay
at home with him would have made
him very happy. Tonight he was
conscious OF nothing more stirring
than q vague irritation.
You should have gone he said.
regretfully closing the book.
I'D rather stay here with you
she pulled at his hands. Come
down into the living room and talk
with me-"
They sat on the davenport In the
circle OF amber light Cella's head
rested against his shoulder. Her
fragrance no longer stirred him.
Something was gone forever. She
talked about the house be must
build for her at the far end OF Ma
nor street Hugh tried 10 be en-
thusIasilc. He did not succeed
He kissed her. He held her close.
He felt nothing at all.
jamie came In from Aunt Rhoda's
She paused for moment at the
living room door. Celia greeted her
coolly. Her manner indicated that
she and Hugh preferred to be alone.
Hugh was annoyed. There was no
reason on earth why Celia should
be rude 10 JAMIE.
Come In. young fellow" he said.
thinking how nice JAMIE looked In
her pert little orange tam. 'Twant
to tell you about Mrs. Ellie and old
Mrs. Pope"
Celia stifrened against his arm.
JAMIE yawned elaborately.
I'm tired" she said. I'm going
on up TO bed"
He heard her walking up the
stairs, calling 10 Kltie In her
husky charming voice. He wanted
TO talk 10 JAMIE. But jamie had
gone. Celia was laying hardwood
floors In the house at the far end
Of Manor street Hugh said moth.
ing at all
You're not listening. Hugh"
"0f course / am"
But Celia didn't believe him. She
wept She worked herself into a
state OF hysteria- he attempted to
calm her. He finally carried her up
stairs to bed jamie came with
comfort and aromatlcs. Hugh left
her bathing Celia's hrorr talking