Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-16
TIME whistle shrieked. the anchor

chain ceased rafting. the pro-
- pellers churned the water anu
the steamer Buena Estroila started on
her voyage across the blue waves OF
the Pacific Ocean
was standing on the hurricane
deck happy at the thought that every
= revolution Of the screw brought me
nearer TO Valparaiso. where I was "a
embark for France. as soon as I had
finished my business there ] gazo1
thoughtleSSly as the belchinE smoke
stacks OF the Bueua EstreIa and the
pink houses Of Callao scattered on
the smiling slope with the gigantic
chain of the Andes towering I'm the
distance.
"Cuen hermosa vista" suddenly said
a voice close 10 me. ] turned my
head. The man who had addressed
me was a little yellow-sdnned indl-
vidual with restless eyes and a hooked
nose, whom I had noticed having a
long conference with the captain
shortly before. and who had evidently
gained his point for Immediately aft
erward I saw him experimenting the
loading OF a number Of crates and
boxes
Why did ] take such an immediate
strong dislike to this person. Per
haps because Of his eyes, which never
look straight at you, and his manner
which was at the same time obsequi
GUS and impudeut, but al any rate my
dislike was absolutely instructive. J
replied by a mere monOsy liable and
turned my back upon him To- empha-
size that ] did not Ike 10 enter into
any conversation with Rim.
Carried Much Freight.
The Buena EstreIa carried moro
freight than passengers. There were
about 80 of us ana the crew consisted
OF IS men. on such a small boat 10
was. Of course. difficult TO keep to
yourself ] once more met the man
with the crates. His name was An
tonic Gonzales, and he praCticed med
icine somewhere in Chile. Accident
ally he was placed on my right at the
table. and 1 could not help passing
things TO him and occasionally oX-
changing some trivial remark with
him. ] studied his appearance more
closely and decided that he was a
half breed. whereupon ! turned all my
attention TO my neighbor on the left. o
charming young lady who was re-
turning 10 Valparaiso. Conception
Solar was certainly the most beauti-
full type Of a Southern girl ever met
She had dark. dreamy eyes scnsuous
red lips and the most perfect little
hands and feet She was chuperoncd
by her mother. a viraRo with good
deal more than a suspicion Of "a mus
tache, exceedingly stout and dressed
in the height Of fashion. She seemed
rather pleased with me and willingly
permitted me take care OF her daugh-
ter in the evening after dinner while
she spent her time playing poker We
went Up on deck and enjoyed
the glorious night and natural
IL we began TO discuss love, and
Conception soon made so strong an
impression on my heart that ! began
to doubt whether ! should return TO
Europe alone.
A Rival.
Gonzales had also taken a liking To
the girl. He sent her flaming glances
and several times tried 10 Join us and
interrupt our tete-a -tete, but the re-
ception he received was so chilly that
/ hoped ] had discouraged him. one
morning, however. / found him IN the
reading room alone with Conception
/ had to withdraw discreetly or show
my hand openly. Deciding that the
latter was impossible ! concealed my
self behind a door and listened. The
doctor was in the midst of pro-
posal, he Dragged Of his wealth and
his social position and called me a
French adventurer devoid of all hon
est intentions.
Anyone who has ever been In love
will understand how happy l felt
when Conception icily declared that
she refused to listen to a person who
tried 10 SANDER her fiance. Gonzales
swore a vile oath and tried to kiss her
by force. She gave "A slight cry and
/ found my chance had come.