THE LONG-TERM BEHAVIOR OF THE BE STAR HD-163868

In this paper we discuss the light variations of HD 163868 on the basi s of all available photometric data originating from photometric monit oring during the last two decades. We suggest that one explanation of the on-and-off type variability can be a binary configuration with a c ompact companion and a period of the order of 850 days, though the obs erved effects could also be seen in the context of positive interferen ce of NRPs. The bright stages are associated with strong reddening con sistent with an increase in circumstellar material. We draw the attent ion to the similarity with cyclically-recurrent mild S Dor phases of L BVs.