The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-12-25
The Impossible Boy
By NINA WILCOX PUTNAM
(copyrisht by Bobbs- Merrill Coz

have started to several times. but al
ways forgot. somehow"
We'll. what is it?" asked Pedro.
smiling I'm old enough to hear 1t,
guess, eh?"
Leigh smiled up at him through a
cloud of tobacco smoke. 1T Is the
dream of the very young to be old and
stepped in SIM" said he, even as 1t Ia
the dream Of the old to be young and
innocent"
"A truism, not an epigram," COM
mented Pedro. But what Is the SOL
emn communication"
Its about Miss Vanderpool." re-
piled Leigh. his smile fading. "You
see her too often, and 1t won't do! Are
you not aware that she Is engaged. or
as good as engaged. to the very man
who has made 1t possible for you to
know her. Don't do 1t. boy. it's not
fair!"
How would you have me actf am
painting her."
Don't see her at other times, then.
"Eh? Not go near her? Polite,
wouldn't that bel" exclaimed Pedro,
Just for the wickedness Of leading
Leigh on.
you know what mean," said Leigh,
and he was watching Pedro very close
ly as he spoke. when, for instance,
do you expect to see her next?"
Tomorrow night at the Milligans'
| -, N do vanI;ad Dadr0 NCba uyiI
| be there"
"Then don't go!" exclaimed Leigh.
II hate to flatter you, Pedro, but you
are not without attractions"
Pedro lighted a cigarette.
II think / shall co." he said, eying
the smoke meditatively, his handsome
head cooked to one side; his eyes half.
closed, and queer little smile playing
about his lips.
Leigh swore an oath.
Don't be a cad!" he said shortly,
rising.
Pedro grew solemn at his tone, and
yet wicked spark fingered in the
depths of his eyes. Going up to Leigh,
the boy placed hand on the giants
shoulder and stood looking up at him.
II don't know quite what that cad
you say is" he said; "but from the
way you speak Of 1t. am sure 1t Is not
good to be one. Yet, am going to
that party, and simply In order to see
the Madonna lady. And In telling you
this, after what you have said about
Hill. must beg you to believe that no
matter how often l should see her,
there would be no disloyalty in 1t to
my benefactor. Such treachery as you
| suggest would, in my case, be absolute
| ly impossible, for more reasons than
can explain, or you could possibly
guess. An affair with her is totally
impossible for me. Will you not be
lieve this, amigo mio?"
AS he spoke his face had grown
more and more grave, and at the end
he seemed struggling to hide some
deep emotion. Very seriously and In.
tently Leigh watched his face until he
had ceased to speak.
Very well, I'll believe you," he
said finally, "but It's tricky danger.
Gus matter, and mark my words, you'll
b., sorry If you run your head into her
trap; she's charming young woman!'
"Yes!" said Pedro, And now
must CO."
Go" cried Leigh in amazement
'Tn this storm? What nonsense, mani
Sleep here on the couch"
For reply Pedro seized his hat, q
panicky expression blanching his face
"No, mol" he said. II must go!"
"But It's nearly morning." objected
Leigh. 'Why the devil shouldn't you
| stay%
Pedro's fingers were on the latch
Hat in hand, he flung back his answer
"Because!" he replied and rushed
out, banging the door behind him.
For long time Leigh sat looking al
the closed door, thinking hard, all the
lines In his face springing into prom
inence as he bent upon his subject
with special concentration.
"Because!" he repeated aloue.
What strange answer. Because
Why? Why? Why7" Taking a sin
gle impuleive step toward the door he
flung his arms out before him.
Then, like blind man who had
been suddenly given sight, he stag
gered across the studio and flung him
self upon the couch.
/