The Appeal., 1910-06-18

nAA4Vu IL flOrlQa tlat winter. sum-
ming up events in sequence. he was
inclined to think they did. f.s
Weary Of the vexations of studio
life, he had put care behind him and
gone down to ST. Augustine to regain
his nerve force under semi-tropical
skies. The first morning after he
reached the quaint old town, he left
the hotel and sauntered down the
street. He passed the ancient City
Gates, and once outside the town
proper his steps turned toward the
river. In front of him, several hun
dred yards distant. stood old Fort
Marion. Built of coquina shells,
dragged up from the sea by the cava-
llers OF Spain, it interested him more
than any other fortifcation he had
ever seen ~
Letsurely he started toward it's bull
g1ng walls. Then suddenly he stopped,
as II compelled to by some unseen
force. A queer feeling of uncertainty
came over him, and the ground
shlvered under his feet. A bird that
had been whistling in tree cut short
its lyric. Slightly dazed, he stood still
and looked about. ~ =: -"
! From behind, quick little scream
struck his ears. He looked and saw
g1rl standing near the road gazing
down at paper sack from which
some oranges were rolling. He took
In, her general appearance, figure of
graceful outline and the dark, loosely
put up hair@that glistened in the sun
light. AS he hurried up to~her he saw
that the deep olive complexion was
probably that of creole. She
glanced up at him in surprise. :
."1 beg your pardon, MISS" he said,
but can't help you? You've dropped
your oranges, 7 see." -.
| Yes, SO have" she replied.
Wasn't it funny-it must have been
an earthquake? The ground shook
frightfully, didn't it?'''
1T was an earthquake" Herndon
affirmed 's.~
With an artists eye he was quick
10 note the soft yet classic contour
of her forehead and cheeks and the
tender expression about her mouth.
"A veritable Madonna!" he. unused.
| Are you thinking-of me, senor?"
she inquired suddenly. :;."
| Yes, of course" he laughed. II am
wondering what your name is?" 49,
"Valencienne Mendez," she re-
sponded. "Ands yours, senor?''
! Clarence Herndon," he told her.
I'm an artist, and live in New York
[ decided to go somewhere for a rest
and so came down here"
Are you glad you came?" she
queried innocently. 3d."
Very glad," he declared.
When they reached the top of the
hill she stopped. Very sorry, senor,"
| she announced, "but must go the
rest Of the way alone!"
Herndon was greatly puzzled. "Then
| hope I'll see you again soon, Senor-
ita Mendez," he ventured.
Perhaps" she replied. II often
come out here for a stroll. Goodby
and thousand thanks"
Good day, senorita,'' he said, lift
ing his hat as she tripped off down the
road.
Once back in town, Herndon began
to make inquiries about Senorita VAL
encienne Mendez.
Nobody has ever been able to find
out much about her." a friend at the
hotel told him. '"Her father and
mother, they say, died in Spain sew
eral years ago, and she came over
here to live with her grandfather. She
is certainly beautiful girl, and lot
of men have tried to win her friend.
ship. But none of them seem to
have made much headway. She never
comes to any of the dances at the
hotels. And the queerest part is she
never lets man get within speaking
distance of her home They say it's
all on account of her grandfather, who
watches her with the eye of hawk"
With this information to quicken his
curiosity, the girl interested Herndon
more than ever. He felt that it was
something more than her grandfa-
theirs wishes that made hermit of
her. and he determined to find out
what it was
In a few weeks their acquaintance
! warmed into friendship. But intuitive-
ly Herndon felt that she would pass
out Of his life as suddenly as she had
come into it. He would miss her, per-
haps more than he dared to think.
He wondered If she ever came out
for walk in the evening. No sooner
did it occur to him that possibly she
did, than he determined to find out.
Every night. as well as each morning,
thereafter, found him outside the city
gates patiently waiting. For week
his vigil was fruitless Then one night,
Just as the moon rose out of the At
lantic, he had glimpse of her trip
ping down the slope. When be hur-
ried to greet her. she seemed fright
ened. Then she laughed lightly.
You are beautiful tonight, senor-
ita." he declared boldly. Il have never
seen you in white BEFORE
Her dark eyes flashed her pleasure
over his fervent compliment.
I'm glad you think So" she an
swered softly.
Don't you want to go down in front
of the fort for while?" he asked
hopefully. The sea is beautiful from
there
She assented, but trembled slightly
as she took his arm. I'm afraid" :"
she whispered.
-Pshaw.'' he laughed. Nothing