The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-07-15

her hand the first time She admired
him. his strong tall form, his open
forehead. blue eyes and blond beard.
Meyer before had she seen such a
man. And In the evening he has
kissed her.
Moving carefully on tip-toes. Maria
was dressing herself She did not
want TO disturb him. for she was sure
he was still asleep. and the wall be-
tween the two rooms was so thin.
You are charming GIRL he had
said, never have | seen any 10 com
pare with you" And then he had
taken her into his arms, held her
hands. and kissed her lips time and
again.
do you like me-" he asked one
day. and Immediately afterwards add
ed. do you want me?" At last he
spoke OF Germany. and asked her II
she could think OF going with him
across the ocean.
But how. IL he should change his
mind over night. She smiled. no he
was q full-grown man and no child.
and surely he must know what he
said.
But what was his name? Don Man
uelo. the tiger hunter. had introduced
him and called him Don Alfredo. but
that did not matter, why should she
care what his name was.
Should she put on the scarlet waist
which her godmother. Theresa, had
brought her from ASCENSION? Or the
green one which Aunt Severima had
given her? Today was a holiday. the
first real holiday In her life, and II
was soon TO be followed by anather
still more sacred. How splendid her
future looked TO her now! Don Man
uelo had said that the foreigner was
immensely rich. that he owned pal
aces In Germany, and that he paid
everything with glittering English
gold And now handsome. how beau
tiful and strong he was! Maria
trembled and blushed with happiness
Then Don Manuelo had also said
that the foreigner was travelling for
pleasure. and that during the next
few days he would 60 hunting near
San Salvador. hunting tigers! Didn't
that prove that he was brave. too?
But no, he should not see her dress
ed up today, she would meet him as
he had seen her every day, and as he
had learned to love her. She put on
white waist. and a white skirt both
made OF plain, cotton. But now the
stockings-should she wear black or
white stockings? And should she
wear the brown shoes which her IA
Their had given to her shortly before
he died? No that would look too
vain.
Barefooted she left her room.
On the porch stood a table covered
with a snow white cloth and set with
wine. eggs, bread and tea. Don Az
fredo had not yet come.
She trembled just a little at the
thought OF what he would say. How
was he 10 put the great question to
her.
Then somebody came.
She ran away and hid herself be-
hind the tall rose bushes which sur
rounded the house like a scarlet wall.
There were more rosese than leaves
and she picked some of the largest
and most beautiful for him. Twelve
that Is a wholly number, IL scarlet
roses which look like fire In the rays
OF the sun. They were TO tell him
OF her love. OF her passion.
When she looked up again he open
ed the door and came out. Her heart
began beating until she was sure he
NUT hear il. His face looked stern
as II he did not feel very happy.
Why. not, she asked herself. Then
she saw that he was hungry. He
broke the bread in little pieces and
ate hurriedly.
At last she got enough courage and
went towards him. but he did not hear
her. This was great disappoint-
ment, and she drew leep audible
sigh He looked up and smiled. Sure
ly he was happy again.
Good morning, little Signorina, why
do you sigh SO deely this morning?
want to see a happy smile on your
face for today Is great day to me.
You know, don't you?"
She blushed and gave him the
roses.
Are these for me?" he asked, with
smile.
They are for you" Maria whisper
ed.
He saw the light OF love in her eyes.
and II made his heart beat afster for
moment. How strangely beautiful
her eyes we're, Weep jet black eyes,
and still full OF FIRE. Then he thought
Of the night before and took her
hand. The night before-what did
then happen? OH he remembered
now. He had come back from the
hotel where he had been drinking
with some officers and the postmaster
and he had met her at the door
He took the roses and layed them
down next to- his plate. Then he
laughed rather constrained. ana
said: And where was my little girl
SO late last night?"
II had been To see Donna Cosina,
our neighbor."
He laughed again and took her
hand. She was silent and looked at
him In surprise. He was man who
came from world entirely different
from her own, that she understood
now But she did not understand all
that he said, and this made her feel so
terribly afraid. Why didn't he say
the words that she was waiting for?"
She stood there waiting, looking
straight into his eyes. He let go her
hand, ran his fingers through his
beard picked up the roses, and put
them down again. and at last. when
he couldn't help feeling that she ex-
pected him to say something, he said:
Don Manuelo IL going to take me
along, I'm going hunting with him.
Between this place and Conception
there is a wood, and in this wood a
swamp, and In this swamp there Is
an island, and there on that island
there Is tiger, an unusual big and
strong tiger. Manuelo has arranged
everything. and 1t will be a great day
Tomorrow and the next days | will