The Holbrook news., 1912-08-16

'Mean Miss Leonard?" She turned her head, and called up the stairs, pleasantly, "Oh, Miss Leonard, gen. tleman calling"
 And he was left there in the mar. row hall, alone, waiting. Down the two flights he heard her tripping toward him.
 "Oh, dear, was sure it was a mes- senger," she apologized. Did you wish to see me?''
 Jose's eyes never left her lovely face. Her eyes were blue, blue as forget-me-nots, no, he told himself, deeper, rarer blue, the blue of his own southern skies when twilight fell And her face, tender yet proud, like his mothers. He threw himself on her mercy, and told why he had come. They had stepped into the long draw ing room of the. old-fashioned board ing house, and she listened in silence.
 Tt is very, very wrong of me to in- trude," Jose pleaded, desperately, 'but senorita, forgive. My heart bleeds for you. If I may but help you in your terrible trouble"
 Then she leaned back her head and laughed.
 'It is so good of you to come, but listen. There is no trouble-nothing at all. am an actress, MT. Serrano- that is your name, is it not? We are very busy rehearsing a new play, and I have the emotional part. I always study that way in my own room, and perhaps I have been too oblivious of the outside world. Can you ever for give me for disturbing you so?"
 Jose's dark eyes glowed as he watched her.
 'T shall thank the good God for 1t, 1" he told her gravely. "If could but know you, but meet you convention ally"
 She unused, smiling at the naive re- mark.
 Isn't it strange, this great, lonely city where we all starve on desert islands of individuality, and still we cling to the old-time shreds of eti- quette. Here we have met by chance"
 Fate, senorita," protested Jose.
 Perhaps. You are interested-ah, your eyes say so, and you arc just a boy?"
 "Twenty-four."
 "So old? I am twenty-two. And like you also. I should not tell you that, but why not? It is so good to meet some one in these prosaic, self Ish days who would go to the rescue of a woman in trouble"
 Jose forgot the old house in the harbor town in Panama, forgot his career, everything.
 "Ah, you would have been more kind If it had been true. I am sorry"
 For what?"
 Natalie Leonard smiled at his eager, handsome face.
 That you are not in trouble. I nave watched you every day, and onged to help you You were so help ess, so lovely. IT grew to adore 7ou, senorita."
 With unconscious dignity of race he boy made his confession. Nata- ie's eyes filled with quick tears. She ut out her hands to him impulsively.
 Tt is wrong, I know, but I cannot lelp 1t. It was dear of you to even eel so toward me-a stranger, and md if you like, you may see me some ime again"
 q shall see you every day at your | window" he told her, seriously. T | hall smile over to you, and sometimes hrow you roses"
 "Oh, no, you mustn't" laughed the sirl. That is too public in our land"
 50? But I should love to. Still, | 7ou will call good morning to me, now hat we are so well acquainted?"
 q had far better leave entirely, be- ore it is too late" white hands.
 "Senorita, pardon, but life is as the 5ood God wills, my mother tells me Ind I say to you" he raised his dance to meet her own, '1t is too ate!"