The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-04-29

pTlIilahJ nsht overhead flooding her
dark hair, and il was not in voune
human nature to refrain from gazing
at her through the invitingly open win
dow. Finally they all pushed back
their chairs TO retire. and as she
glanced up while rising TO her feet
our eyes met fairly. and a warm wave
OF color swept across the uplifted, sen
sitive face. The next instant. Welding
apparently to some sudden impulse of
gratitude, she stepped through the
open window. and stood beside NE
with extended hand
Senior" she said speaking a broken
Spanish very prettily 1t was eytreue-
ly kind of you to assist in removing
that horrible man, and cannot leave
without some expression of my graft
tude."
was uron my feet instantly, bow
ing before her as to a queen. yet feel
ing a strange embarrassment
That incident was nothing, senior
ita. l insisted, yet yenturing to look
directly into the depths of those dark
gray eyes, so intensely studying my
lace under the dim light of the Ian
terms Il did no more than any man
would consider privilege / realized
you had no younger protector At
hand"
She glanced around toward the 9th
ers Of her party now also upon their
feet, and gazing out at us in undis-
guised amazement.
No" she explained. as though in
unwilling apology; he has passed the
age where he can safely measure
strength with ruffianism. It is not
lack OF courage, senior, but of bodily
vigOr"
A time of life which must come to
all of US" | returned. hastily. and
prudence is not necessarily disgrace
Yet believe me. senorita. already feel
amply repaid for my little part in this
comedy of errors by your smile of rec
ognition and words of thanks. You
are Englsh?"
Her eyes fell slightly. the long
lashes clearly outlined against the
white flesh
Yes, senior she replied. softly. we
are English travellers for pleasure
Our yacht lies anchored in the harbor
below"
| imagined she was tempted to in
quire who | might be, but, while she
stood hesitating uncertain of the pro
priety of so personal a question. the
spare, stiff figure Of the EngHshman
appeared suddenly in the open case
ment. For a moment of silence his
cold eyes surveyed us both with mani
fest disapproyal
Doris, he spoke at last. his words
cold and stern, 1t would have been
proper to permit me to express our
natural gratitude to this Young gentle
man"
She drew aside quietly. making no
response, and he stood directly facing
me, bowling slightly with a stateliness
of manner scarcely courteous, his Ian
suage Immediately changing to Span
lsh, doubtless assuming that to be my
native tongue.
The gallant action Of the senior was
greatly appreciated by all of us" he
began formally; the more so because
/ was so astounded by the fellows I'M
paralleled impudence as to be. for the
moment, helpless to resist insult 1
trust the senior has not suffered during
the encounter"
Not in the slightest"
That is most gratifying" the calm
statelinesS of his features slightly re
tieNed by the flicker of a smile. as he
drew forth gold-mounted case and
extended toward me an engraved
card. Permit me. senior; and we
Shall feel greatly honored to receive
you at any time on board our yacht
m the harbor, The length of our STAY
at this post is uncertain, yet we shall
surely remain for several days. And
let me add" he concluded. drawing
himself up with an air that compelled
my admiration, that | hold myself
personally answerable for any conse-
quences which may follow upon your
timely interference. | shall so inform
him by special letter Immediately. "
| bowed, giving utterance to word
/
read far more cordial invitation in
the depths Of the suddenly uplifted
gray eyes behind his shoulder. But
he yielded her no further opportunity
Tor expression, and | remained there
alone, watching them move slowly
across the brightly illumined dining
room, instantly the cynosure of all
eyes at the numerous tables my heart
pulsing to new emotion as she
turned swiftly, beneath the half-con-
cealing shadow of the portieres and
cast one quick sweeping glance back
ward. "Doris"-the name fingered
softly pleasant upon my lips in mem
ory, seeming to bring before me the
haunting vision of her face | held
the card up to the light and read: