The Mena star., 1899-07-13
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK. ]
CHATTER XI.

obvious: and began to speculate upon 4 how far it was safe 10 trust Senorita Dorotea. Strolling down to the beach with her, before retiring-just to throw Seibastiano off his guard-I learned with intense satisfaction that she both feared and detested the man. She whispered also that her father had reason to suspect the padres Julian and Sebastiano of using their infiu- ence against him in Manila. For a mo- ment or two had suspicion that she and the gobernador might be under inc padres influence and trying to work themselves into my confidence with the intention of betraying me afterward. But the more I thought of this the more improbable it seemed. In the first place, relations between inc educated classes and the priest hood in Spain are rapidly approaching those which obtain in Italy-neutrality on the surface, distrust beneath. Then, it seemed as though the senorita must know too much to look upon Sebastiano in other than his priestly character; and if the friendship be- tween us was warming as rapidly as thought, it was reasonably safe to stake her woman's heart against her head.
 Finally, deciding to risk if, 1 asked her if she cared to spend Monday upon the water with me; and she accepted the invitation with such evident pleas ure that I showed all worry about the padre clear of my mind for the time. When Monday morning came, we breakfasted in the patio and made an early start before Sebastiano ap- peared, sailing leisurely around Cocos reef as if we had the day before us and were disposed to take things easy When I asked Dorotea if she had ever sailed into the bays on the east side, she said that, as it was usually rough and windy there, few of the islanders cared about it. only remaining in the little villages during the wet monsoon or while they were gathering rice and sugar crops. She was willing to go anywhere chose to take her, however, and had no suspicion of my object until We headed into Paicpouc cove for the instruments and diving apparatus. Then, before taking them from the Assure. I told her of my intention to search for something under the sea at Santa Rosa reef, and asked if she would help me. Looking straight into my face for moment. she said: "Does not Senor Enrique know of a reason why I would do anything in the world for him?"
 Nothing more than the evidence of your frie endliness. senorita mia."
 "So. But you Go have the bad mem ory 1t may seem nothing that you
 try 10 give great pleasure to la sciorita whom you never have seen. l suppose men do think 1t matters little to wom- an whether she does appear like oihe women or like una barbara? Yet you must have known, IErriquito. or you would not have tried to do me la gran benevolencia on q vapor, when mias- prmas despreciables did me defraudar gnonliriosamente--"
 Why. how the dickens did you find
 out? Who told you?"
 Yourself, senor."
 T? How?' Impossible!"
 You did just tell me, by your excla-
 macion. but guessed before. True,
 Scnorita Pa!acios did say that you were
 un generoso-that you did like my pie
 lire all of the time-also that if diG
 md anything which could not under
 stand, you all about it would know Then, mias primas in Manila did write
 me letter about the trimming they did
 nave put upon las vestidas. ! contem-
 'ar! they were as described. But there
 were others, not of the style antigua.
 And of them there is no explanation
 ln the letter."
 oh, well, don't say any more about
 ,'' lou caught me nicely, must say.
 was the senorita's generosity, not
 ninc. She was very kind, and if was all
 her doing. Now make yourself com
 ,lor'able. and we'll try to find Santa
 Rosa-
 The dress business was dangerous
 ground. and didn't want 10 discuss if;
 mere was the possibility of her resent
 'ng an implication that her appearance
 v The picture wasn't perfect Then,
 "galn, couldn't tell how the other
 sifls having made such present.
 merely from the desire to please Hal
 ''ead and myself. would strike her.
 return to Poin: Orote, 10 get my earrings. would have cost good hsur sao half; SO determined ie trust the
 " .rt. which u.ns laid ouf on a scale of