The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-08-25
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER xI.
That the ombiuation against me
had strong odds in its favor seemed
obvious; and began to speculate upon
how far It was safe TO trust Senorita
Dorotea. Strolling down to the beach
with her. before retiring-just to
throw Sebastiano Off his guard
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 influ-
ence against him in Manila. For a mo-
ment or two had a suspicion that she
and the gobernador might be under
the PADRES influence and trying to
work themselves INTO my confidence
with the intention of betraying me
afterward. But the more thought of
this the more improbable it seemed.
In the first place. relations between
the educated classes and the priest
hood in Spain are rapidly approaching
those which obtain In Italy-neutrality
on the surface. distrust beneath.
Then, itaseemed 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 1t, l 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 l asked Dorotea II she had ever
sailed into the bays on the east side.
she said that. as 1t was usually rough
and windy there. few of the islanders
cared about 1t. only remaining in the
little villages during the wet monsoon
or while they were gathering rice and
sugar crops. She was willing to 60
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. 1 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 a moment. she said:
"Does not Senior Enrique know OF a
reason why I would do anything in the
world for him."
Nothing more than the evidence Of
your friendliness, senorita mia"
$50! But you do have the bad men,
Org. It may seem nothing that you
try to give great pleasure toln-senorita
whom you never have seen. l suppose
men do think II matters little to wom-
On whether she does appear like other
women or like una barbara? Yet you
must have known, Enriquito. or you
would not have tried to dc me Ia gran
benevolencia Oh ell vapor. when mias
primas desprecia bies did me defraudar
ignominiosa mcnte-"
"Why, how the dickens did you find
out? Who told you?"
yourself. senor."
IT? How? Impossible!"
You did just tell me. by your excla-
! macion. I but guessed before. True,
Senorita Palacios did say that you were
un generoso-that you did like my pic
ture all of the time-also that if die
find anything which I could not under
stand. you all about 1t would know.
Then. MAS primas i'll Manila did write
the letter about the trimming they did
have put upon las vestidas. contem-
lar! they were as described. But there
were others. not of the style antique.
And of them there is no explanation
in the letter"
''Oh, we'll. don't say any more about
II. You caught me nicely, must say.
1t was the senorita's generosity. not
mine. She was very kind. and it was all
her doing. Now make yourself COM
Portable. and we'll try to find Santa
Rosa"
The dress business was dangerous
ground. and didn't want to discuss 1t;
there was the possibility Of her resent
ing an implicntion that her appearance
in the picture wasn't perfect. Then.
again. 1 couldn't tell how the other
girl's having made such a present,
merely from the desire TO please Hal.
stead and myself. would strike her.
fro h coNrINuEp.l
He Obeyed the Rule.