The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-18

I
Spanish. and the Mexicans In particti.
/ lar And he had reason for disliking
/ them They had killed his brother. and
now were to take away his child-for
/ Teresa. he had said. had been as a
daughter 10 him. Il would be a hard
/ blow for him
| I had been watching the senorita. to
see how she took his words: but she
was bending over him. with her back
4 toward me. and I could not see her
face She took his hand when she
spoke
thought how deceitful a woman
cen be; but why I should have thought
I this Of her, do not now attempt 10
explain But did think this at the
/ time; and that it was probably best
that Mr.. Melrose should not know the
| truth until he was stronger.
1t was not an excuse for me that my
mind had been prejudiced by what Mar
tin had told mel should have kept ny
/ head level Martin had reasons OF his
( own for wishing me to believe that the
! senorita was TO be married to Don Luis.
/ and IL never occurred 10 me at the
time that he wished TO deceive me.
Ny own imagination had served 70
no better and had been equally as false
! to me. Certainly. lover was never
meant TO be, for I was blind snd
stupid and cut a very poor figure.
do not blame Martin so much as I do
myself.
Mr.. Melrose was quiet, but his eyes
were fixed intently on his niece.
thought that they might prefer to be
by themselves. and so I stole out OF .ae
room and left them alone
1t was during the afternoon. when I
was seated on a bench in the gallery.
! that 1 again saw the senorita TO speak
| with her. She came TO where I was
seated and sat down on the bench be-
side me.
Il have come 70 talk with you. Mr..
Harvey, she said. IT left my uncle
resting easily. and one Of the servants
is with him. so I can be called II
needed"
You will find me a poor person 10
talk with. Miss AIelrose," I replied. II
was always more Of an actor than a
} talker. and the two years have been
J on the frontier have roughened me Up
somewhat"
But I am not blind TO all your kind
ness and goodness" she went on.
Yesterday you would not let me thank
you. shall not again attempt 70 co so.
, bat have asked BEr. MeIrose TO do it
, for me I will try 20 obey you
II do not ask you TO obey me.
said 1t is not necessary 1 should do
so now. What I did want was that you
would not embarrass me when we were
on the road. did 1t because I had no
/ choice. but from necessity was forced
20 DO So
Still. there are ways Of doing things"
Z There seemed but one way for me-"
/ I said.
You do not understand me- she re-
= piled quickly. Il have nothing 10 cen
e sure you for. I have myself 70 blame
! my discOurtesy toward you
Which was but a proper reserve
= I said. and becoming in you, under the
I circumstance"
Il was afraid that you thought me
rude" she explained Il was fright
s ened. 1 was afraid OF the road. You
S know the dangers travellers are ex-
posed to- And for that reason wanted
you to turn back And --sa
G = understood I said. Interrupting
D her. And you know why I could not
r do as you asked me 10 do. It is not
necessary for you TO make excuses-I
do not want you to-
p, When I spoke 10 her. labored under
@ some restraint. I was afraid Of saying
, too much. and I said too little I was
u undeniably cold and reserved She look
L ed at me for moment. and then her
eyes dropped TO the stone pavement. and
L she moved her foot restlessly, scrapIng
< the stone
You are very strange, Mr.. Harvey.
i You do not seem 70 wish me 20 THINK
= you for what you have done. neither
= VIII you accept explanations from me
. Must It be so much matter OF BUSH
" ness between us?''
I could not understand her any more
than she could understand me. She
bIushed. and was very much confused
: / had almost a mind 70 confess all; my
: love-everything. 1t was on my tongues
end to open my heart to her. But I
a could not say the words.
! I was a coward in love matters. Ny
heart beat wildly. was nervous. and
trembled But she did not appear to
% notice. for she was looking at the mock
Q ing birds in cage which hung near, or
= appeared 10 be looking at them She
I rose suddenly, and I rose at the same
+ time.
+ Miss Aelrose." I faltered. II hope
= YOU do not consider me less your friend
o I-because-becaus I am strange !
said. making a desperate effort to say
IS something. It was not what / had In
% tended to say and my voice was husky
n and unsteady.
'e ut is because I considered you my
II friend that 7 came 10 speak 10 you.
Is she replied. I had something 70 ten
lie you-something I thought you ought 70
lie know"
Fl She blushed again, as she said tSis.
could think of nothing she would
lie have to tell me but Of her engagement
J. 10 Don Luis She wished me 70 speak
he 10 her uncle probably! What else could
~ it be?
Her distant way-her far of lOok-heF
l. enbarrassment-her sweet, pretty man
" ner Of speaking 10 NE could mean Moth
Sc ing else. But I could not bear il. No,
it would betray something OF my own
y feelings For fear she would merton
the subject. I replied to her almost
harshly.
10 You need not tell me-" said. y
know already
n You know! Then he has told your
Whom did she mean? Was 1t Don
le Luis? She did not know then that
we were enemies.