The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-07-12

Mean Miss Leonardo" 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 fights he heard her tripping
toward him.
"Oh, dear, was sure 1t was a mes
senger," she apo1ogized. did you
wish to see me?"
Jose's eyes never left her lovely
face. Her eyes were blue, blue al
forget-me-nots, no. he told himself, q
deeper, rarer blue, the blue Of hia
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
1T Is very. very wrong Of me to in.
trude," Jose pleaded, desperately, 'but
senorita, forgive. My heart bleeds fol-
you. II may but help you in your
terrible trouble"
Then she leaned back her head and
laughed.
1T is so good of you to come, but
listen. There is no trouble-nothing
at all. / am an actress, Mr. Serrano-
that is your name, is it not? We are
very busy rehearsing new play, and
I have the emotional part. I always
study that way in my own room. and
perhaps 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. q
II shall thank the good God for 1t, !"
he told her gravely. eff I 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 Ell.
quette. Here we have met by chance"
Fate. senorita," protested Jose.
Perhaps. You are interested-ah,
your eyes say so, and you are just a
boy?"
"Twenty-four."
$50 old? I am twenty-five. 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
II 1t had been true. I am sorry"
For what?"
Natalie Leonard smiled at his eager,
handsome face.
THAT you are not in trouble. I
have watched you every day, and
longed to help you. You were so help
less. so lovely. II grew to adore
you, senorita."
With unconscious dignity OF race
the boy made his confession. Nata-
lies eyes filed with quick tears. She
put out her hands to him impulsively.
1T is wrong, know, but I cannot
help it. It was dear of you to even
feel so toward me-a stranger, and
and If you like, you may see me some
time again."
II shall see you every day at your
window" he told her, seriously. II
shall smile over to you, and sometimes
throw you roses"
"Oh, no, you mustn't" laughed the
girl. 'That is too public in our land. :"
$50? But should love to. Still,
you will call good morning to me, now
that we are so well acquainted"
II had far better leave entirely, be-
fore 1t is too late"
Serrano bent and kissed her slim
white hands.
"Senorita, pardon, but life is as the
good God wills, my mother tells me
And say to you" he raised his
glance to meet her own, ut Is too
late!" !,