The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-07-15
AN ATTRACTIVE ALIEN.


lence of it's rhododendrons IL occurred
10 me with Irresistible force that 1t
was time for smoke. and l laid down
my brush with yawn. How exquisite
ly cool it looked under the trees. If
only
Afternoon, sir Very 'ot day, sir. >
1t was Miller, a park custodian and
! Old acquaintance Of mine.
| Hot" l sighed. "M'.lar. eau .pu
tell me why, Pm not allowed to sit
under a tree?"
Miller reflected. Couldn't say, sir.
| Don't seem no manner Of sense in IT,
he admitted frankly. But its the
committees orders. sir.
But even committees" | protested,
must have reasons for their actions!
Miller appeared to doubt it. We'll.
it's like this, sir" he said contidentially.
They calls meeting up III the city,
ana praps there amt much TO DISCUSS
all going pretty regular III such park
as this. as | need 'ardly tell you, sir
But committees don't like to fee, as
ley amt adding anythins; sir, an
that's where We get such rules as this
Seems like as if they'd make rule 10
close the park rather'n 80 home without
doing nothing, when nothing don
want doing. Look to them like not be-
ing committee. that would"
With u casual glance under the trees
in my vicinity he went his way: A
minute or two later girl turned the
corner of the path, and came slowly
toward me. When she reached a little
group of chairs almost opposite me she
paused, stating. Her eyes Travelled
to the cool, Swallowed grass beneath the
nearest tree, and | smiled; it was easy
to guess her thought. Then she clos
ed her sunshade with little snap OF
decision, tucked it and her book under
one arm, and with her free hand
dragged one Of the iron chairs into the
shadow of the tree.
l watched her enviously. 1t was
clear case Of the ignorance that is bliss.
In all probability Miller would not re-
turn for half an hour or 30, and how de-
sirable was half al hour of shade on
such day! | stihed an ungenerous i'm
pulse to speak to her of park coInmit.
tees. and turned back to work. But
could not forget her-could not help
looking at her What were the gaudy
splashes of color in the rhododendrons
compared with the delicate, elusive
charm Of her face-the lips hnmorously
curved. contradicting the gravity Of her
eyes-the firm line Of her chin at war
with the soft oval Of her cheek? BY
the time heard MiDer's step on the
gravel again my only desire was to
shield her from observation. entered
into rather garrulouS conversation with
him. but it was useless: her white dress
caught his eye, and he crossed the path.
Very sorry, Miss" His voice. though
firm, was not uncompassionate. It's
against orders to take the chairs under
the trees"
The girl was reading; she did not look
up.
Miller quilted the path for the grass.
Sorry to disturb you. Miss" he said
civilly. in a slightly louder tone. These
chairs amt allowed to be moved
The girl gave a little start, and her
book fell to her lap. She shook her
head. and made a huttering gesture
with her hands. smiling little.
Miller looked perplexed and turned TO
me- Looks as though she was deaf
and dumb" he suggested.
| was too much shocked at the idea
to answer and watched the girl anx-
iously;, Her lips parted, and motioned
''Shes going to say something" l
murmured.
Miller turned.
"'Not--Eenxleesh," came from her lips
painstakingly.
Miller considered Don't look like a
parleyvoo, neither" he threw over bis
gras. to her. From behind my easel l
watched discreetly.
Miller tapped the back of her chair
and pointed to the path.
She nodded empha tically, repeating his
movements in explanatory fashion. But
she did not move.
Miller scratched his chin. II don't
mean," he snii. very dist nctly, where
did you take the chair from, miss, but
where it's got to be took back"
She smiled d;sarmingly, reminding
him by little hesituting movement
that she could not understand. 1t was
certainly awkward for Miller. | won
dered what he would do.
What he did do was to go back 10 the
path and beckon her to follow. | adj
mired his resourcefulness.
The girl obeyed his obvious wishes
Yonderingy. and then Miller, hurryins
back. returned with the chair and plant
ed it firmly in its place.
There you are" he said, triumph
antly. "Now l reckon yon understand"
The girl smiled again, making cour-
teous gesture of apology.
Miller left her. swinging down the
path past me.
"A rare lot of foreigners we get here;
sosn yet used to making 'ern under
stand" he explained, with modest pride.
The girl meanwhile had not sat down.
She was examining the chair curously
and with puzzled look - turning II
about feeling the seat and back. Pres
emily with shake Of the head, she left
it. and walked to the next one. But
she did not sit down on II, and share
with me the sultry heat of the shadow
less path. Before my astonished eyes
she picked it up, and returned with it
10 the same spot under the same tree.
| smiled deligbtedly behind my easel,
as the explanation dawned on me, and
awaited Miller's next appearance.
Another half hour went by; then l saw
well, I'm blessed;" broke from him
AZ his eyes rested on the girl.
~ say. Miller. It's all right, called,
rather anxiously. "She didn't under
stand, you know-thought you meant
the chair wasn't safe, or something. SO
she took another
"P'raps you'd like chance Of rub
bin up some of your foreign languages,
sir be suggested maliciously. IF
you'd be as good as to mention i'll
double Dutch an 'eathen Chinee about
sittin under the trees. I'm sure Id be
obliged to you
went reluctantly toward him, con-
scious Of my little German and less
French.
The girl raised wondering eyes to
mine.
"Madamoiselle, c'est defendu--"
began, but stopped abruptly At the
look Of blank incomprehension ON her
face.
"Polizet verboten," / hazarded.
She shook her head.
An obvious solution Of the difficulty
occurred to me- Bending down, l tried
to read her book. But, with Il quick,
defensive movement her hands covered
it. AS well as / could. by signs | pro-
tested the purity OF my motives. and