Evening star., 1907-05-26

mel asked waiter where were the people who
had had luncheon with us. They have taken
private sitting room, replied the man which
was relief, as began to be haunted by black
fear that Carmona had fitted by night
BY and by Pillars long lashes dropped, and
the Cherub, catching her in the act of sitting
a yawn, laughingly ordered her off to bed.
Soon afterward his own ewes began to look
like those of a sleepy child, and he excused
himself with all the ceremony of Spanish leave
takings. Dick and l were left alone together
and were discussing what the morrow might
bring forth, when a waiter hovered near us,
bowling.
The Excelentisima Sonora Duquesa de
Carmona would consider it favor if Senior
Waring and Teniente O'Donnel would visit
her in her sitting room," he announced.
Were the heavens about to fall? My lifted
eyebrows and Dicks questioned each other in
bewilderment But our lips were silent
followed the servant.
The sitting room of the Excelentisma
Sonora was on the first floor, perhaps big
bed room hastily transformed. What we ex-
peCted to see as the waiter opened the door |
hardly know; but we assuredly did not eX-
pect to see the Duchess sitting alone.
The table where the party had dined was
covered now by piece of gaudy pseudo Moor
ish embroidery, and adorned with flowers. A
few guide books and novels were scattered
about, and in her hand the Duchess held
paper covered volume, as if she had been
reading But the expression of the dark,
heavy face contradicted her pose. We could
see that she was excited,
Forgive my not rising, as | am tired she
said, as we came in. :" 1t is kind of you to be
prompt and | thank YOU" Then she
paused. and we waited
Il beg you to sit down. l want the pleasure
of talk
We obeved; and still waited.
Il am little embarrassed" went on the
Duchess You must be patient. What l
wish to say is difficult. And yet the Senior
Teniente, being himself Spanish will under
stand. We are in Spain, the land of formality
That an automobile with two young unmar-
ried men in it,-and even Colonel O'Donnel is
a widower. not old,-that such an automobile
should be closely following ours. which con-
tains beautiful girl, is calculated to cause
gossip. Everywhere we go along this route
my son and have acquaintances, friends; and
already there has been talk, which flies from
place to place in gossipng letters between
women. am sure you would not like to think
that you had caused me this distress on ac-
count OF my sweet young guest and her
mother
Never had been more completely taken
aback She had us at her mercy; for how is
man to fight against womane
We are motoring in your direction" l said
lamely. The chances of the road bring us
together"
"Ah! but | ask You, as woman of my age
may ask favor of young men like you,
SehoreS not to take those chances. If it is as
you say-and of course | believe-that you
happen to be motoring in our road. it would
be no great hardship to delay and give a
longer start. Remember, it is for the sake of
a young girl. and for an old woman's peace of
mind. Will you do this kindness, then, for
me?'
She had struck me dumb. did not know
how to answer her and she knew it. Even
Dick, with his quick American wit for once
unready. And indeed. the Duchess had
at Hateful disadvantage.
I'VE are in something of a hurry, Sonora
Duquesa," | stammered awkwardly.
Then, rather than cause you loss of time,
we shall be off very early, and go as far as may
be in the day. If we leave at, let us say seven
o'clock tomorrow, it would not be too incon-
venient for you to wait until nineo That is all
ask; and to stay the night at Manzanar es
instead of trying to get on TO some other stop
ping place If you promise this you are honor
able men, and know you will keep your word"
She had her lesson well, and had evidently
rehearsed it with her son; for this lymphatic,
weary eyed woman was not one to know in
advance the names Of hating places
automobile tour 1t was clever of Carmona
to use his mothers plump hand as cats paw
to pull his chestnuts from the fire; but it was
not brave, because he must know that we
could not let it touch the flames
l thought for moment in silence. Only
Doors could in so many words refuse such
quest, put with apparent frankness by a
woman old enough n he their mother Vet 7