The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-03-23

She has a sweet, a sympathetic
voice-in posse, like the beauty OF
her face; and melody and voice alike
harmonic deliciously with every ez-
ternal accessory of the scene.
Bravo, brava!" exclaims Roger,
when she has finished. That first
verse was so eXcellently sung that it
makes me eager for the second"
Belinda, thus uncermoniously &C
costed, turns upon him in all the con-
scious virtue OF a trained dress and
paste necklace.
"Senor!" she exclaims, holding up
her head with dignity, and in such a
position that the moon shines upon its
soft young outline full.
Il beg a thousand pardons," says
Roger, putting his pipe hastily out OF
sight. But the senora's song was
so charming that I forgot that we had
no master of ceremonies to introduce
us. Has it not a second verse;"
my song has a second and a third
| verse;" replies Belinda, in English,
strongly favored with Castilian gut
terals. II lust acquaint his lordship,
however, that 1 believed myself to be
alone. 1 never sing for the pleasure
of strangers except when I am on the
stage"
"The stage!" repeats Roger Tenn
pie, ,scrutiLizing the girlish face and
figure critically. why, is it posi-
ble?"
IL have acted as long as I can re-
member" says Belinda, with all the
effrontery conceivable. IF his Eng
lish excellency has travelled through
any Of the principal Spanish towns,
he must have heard me-"
when the sonora favors me with
her name I shall be able to question
my memory more accurately" an
swers Roger.
Belinda pauses for a minute or
two: then, "My name on the stage is
Largimas," she tells him, "or as you
say it in English, Tears Doleful,
Lis it not? But I do not wish it
changed. Who would not sooner be
| called Tears than Laughter"
She signs, and, half turning from
| him, rests her cheek down upon the
graceful bare arms that lie folded on
| the balcony. Seen thus in the moon
light, her bright hair falling around
her shoulders, her childish face grown
pensive, she seems to Roger as fair a
| little creature as ever blessed mans
| vision in this prosaic world; and his
pulse quickens. The balconies are
distant about four or five feet from
| each other. Leaning across the giddy
intervening space, two persons of
| steady nerves might easily clasp
hands, or at least touch fingers, if
they so minded. They are alone to-
gether, he and this girl, absolutely
alone, as were the first pair of lovers
in Eden; and yet impassively divided,
as their lives are destined in very fact
to be for ever more. And Rogers
pulse quickens.
Your philosophy is beyond your
years, sonora. Surely nothing should
seem as laughter in ones youth"
"Youth!" echoes Belinda, raising
her head quickly, and forgetting the
| Spanish accent and her assumed char
acter together. What have I to do
with youth, sir? When was I young?
Why, from the time I was thirteen"
And there her eyes met Rogers
full, full in the moonlight. She stops,
and droops her face, crimsoning.
PLENTY Of hard training has come
to me in my life, senor," she goes On
after a space, but without lifting her
eyes again to his. sometimes 1 feel
a little too keenly how we'll my name
Lagrimas fits me. But why should l
talk of such things tonight! You
know my country, Spain?" turning
to him with the most irresistible of
all coquetry, the coquery of ignor-
ance. mo? Well, you should III
down there some day, now that you
are so near. I will be your guide if
you choose"
Done" says Roger gayly. "It is a
bargain that we take a Spanish tour
together, Sonora Lagrimas, is it not?"
Il don't think L said anything
about together did 1? But never
mind that. Yes, we car go down to
Granada, first if you like. 1t will
take US about a week to Sc, the AL
hambra, and then-but is his excel
lency quite sure" pointedly, that his
time is his own, that his friends will
give him leave Of a]bsence?"
"Oh, no question Of that" says
Roger, with the airy assurance of an
u%nfettered man. THE doubt is rath-
er will the Sonora Lagrimas keep her
promise?"
Il mentioned your friends, senior,
because I know that you are not alone
here. You may not have noticed me,
but I certainly saw you tonight at
the Casino with ladies'"
Roger Temple looks the very pic
ture Of innocence. AT the Casino?"
he repeats. with ladies? All, to be
sure, I believe I did speak to some
English acquaintance Of mine for a
few minutes"
There is an ugly little girl for one;
a girl very sunburnt, very' ;'-dressed;
you danced a waltz vita her, and an
ether lady not so young. Your NAM
ma probably, senor??"
"Stepmamma," assents Roger I'M
blushingly, land the stepmamma also