The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-12-18
CHAPTER XVIII.
And Counterpiots.

CHAPTER XVIII.
And Counterplots.
When Pedro and Sam Hill separated
on the night Of their Jersey adventure,
the latter made straight for Jones
street, accompanied by Beau-Jean. and
upon reaching the refuge Of the rear
tenement tumbled into bed without
more ado, and for seven hours slept
the sleep Of the just, his head upon
an improvfsed pillow Of quilting-be'
meath which his hand grasped the pre-
cious document that Iris, as he thought
had sent him.
Very possibly his repose would have
continued for much longer period
had it not been for the activity Of Gun
eviere and Hermania in the room i'm
mediately below. These ladies, thei1
household duties, as usual, entirely
neglected. were loudly applauding Old
Nitas efforts to instruct Koko In q
new accomplishment; namely, to use
as cymbals the lids Of two fish kettles
Now the clash of cymbals, no mat
ter how amateurish and uncertain the
performers efforts, is not conducive
to slumber, to say the least of it; and
therefore, with a groan Of protest
Sam returned to consciousness Of all
that had befallen him, and all that
was yet to be undertaken. While he
washed and shaved he pondered deeply
upon how he should set about getting
the information that Iris desired. As
he drew on his boots he still won
dered, and uncertainty did not cease
with the knotting of the silk bandanna
about his throat. But at about this
point hunger began to distract his at
tention, and SO, deciding that he
would be able to think more collect
edly upon a full stomach, he descend
ed to the fiat below and demanded to
be fed.
Koko dropped to his all-fours at this
intrusion, glad to be rid of the encum
bering kettle-Ids, which Old Nita un.
tied, grumbling at the interruption OF
the lesson. but nevertheless delighted
to see Hill. The other two women
bustled about and prepared food fol-
him, and soon he was munching rumi.
natively, oblivious of, and imperyious
to. the questions that they showered
upon him. At last Hills attention was
arrested by them, however, and he in.
quired if Anna were Ill.
NO." replied Nita. "She is going
to have a baby in the spring, that is
all, and she is getting SO that she will
not let Rico out of her sight; nor will
she go out with him to dance the bear
How they will live do not know, what
with bringing no money in, and such
idleness! They are a pair of fools,
those two. am very wicked won.
an, am, but really do think they
should get married now."
Are they not married?" said HILL
surprised. why not, do you sup
pose"
Nita merely shrugged and turned
away upon some matter of her own
Hill, cup in hand, arose and ap.
aroached the lovers.
Bon jour-" said he abruptly. why
the devil aren't you married?"
Rico looked up pleasantly, his smile
ever ready and friendly for the be.
loved Samhill. Then, as the latters
words sank into the unknown depths
of his slow mind, a cloud crossed his
handsome face.
Married? Why, do not really
know, mon ami" he responded slowly
"Anna-why are we not married?"
For moment she looked as bewil.
dered as Rico, and then a smile OF
understanding broke upon her lips.
WHY" she said, I'VE love each
other! We have been very, very busy
loving each other, and dancing the
bear. do not believe we ever thought
about getting married"
So serious and obviously sincere was
this reply that Hill scarcely knew
whether to laugh or frown. But to
refrain from making the patent sugges
tion was impossible.
why not do it, now that it occurs
to you?" said he.
Rico looked at him earnestly.
do you advise it, Samhiu?" he
asked. I'VE could not love each other
the more because of q few words said
over us!"
VERY true" replied the painter
gravely, but there Is the child to con
slider. You would like it to bear your
name, would you not?"
"It shall be called Rico if 1t is a
boy" said Annals lover. but a girl
would be Anna, so what is to be gained
in that case?"
But your last naNe," insisted Hill
Last name? But l have none!" OBJ
jected Rico.
To gain time Hill finished his coffee
1T would take a long while to ex
plain Just why 1t is a good plan tC
be married." said he at last But II
you are willing to take my word for it
allow me to say that it is good! In
fact, am contemplating doing it my
self before very long"
WELL said Rico, "if you say it is
good, it must be so. We will find q
priest If you agree, Anna"
I've no objections" replied Anna
and 50 it was arranged.