The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-11-20


awakening an answering chord In the
latter For q moment the little man
looked the boy over. and then his
weird. expressive face broke into .
smile.
Were you looking for Milliganf he
asked.
Il was looking for party" said
Pedro, smiling in return.
well, there's several inside" said
the little man, waving hand toward
the dimly lighted room behind him.
Some friend Of yours here?"
II just wanted" began Pedro, when
girls voice broke in:
"He is friend of mine. Don." said
the red-haired girl. emerging from the
crowded studio. She had noted his
entrance and Immediately made her
way toward him. Aren't you going
to let him in?" she concluded.
One would have sworn that she had
been expecting him. thought Pedro.
Evidently she had not forgotten the
roadside encounter.
Pedro is the humble servant of you
BOTH" said he, with that sweeping
bow of his.
And this is Mr.. Milligan. our host"
said she.
The two shook hands, and even
while Milligan muttered something by
way of acknowledging the introduc-
ton. he was carried OF by phalanx
Of men who came up. clamoring for
more beer. With swift gesture the
girl beckoned to Pedro. and he fol-
lowed up a narrow, winding staircase,
which brought them out upon a little
balcony. The Madonna Lady seated
herself upon divan and motioned Pc
dro to follow suit.
Madonna, l saw you through the
window, and could not resist coming
in, even though l was q stranger to
the house."
She smiled at him.
you saved me just in time" he con-
tinued, "else l might have failed OF
entrance"
And you really came because you
saw mel"
For what other reason?" said he.
Madonna, what Is your manner"
Iris" said she, lifting her great
eyes, that were like those selfsame
blossoms. my fathers name Is Van
derpool. What other name have you,
besides Pedro?"
II have no other" he replied after
an almost imperceptible pause.
She raised her head, as II In disbe-
lief. All! that wonderful line from
chin to breast! Surely some day he
must contrive to paint 1t.
II am speaking as / must" he told
her. "Will you not believe me when
l say that the only name l can give
you is that which you have heard?"
This had perfume Of mystery, but
while it added to her already keen in
terest in him, she maintained her pose
Of offense.
"If it was only to be unkind, why did
you rescue me just now?" he asked.
She laughed little.
"You once saved me from real dam
GER" she replied; 1.-THE least could do
was to spare you, In turn"
Swiftly Pedro leaned toward her. In
his eyes shone light that might have
meant pure mischief, but this she did
not see, for she had turned away her
head again. His voice was very sibi-
liant, carrying a subtlety of meaning
which was delicate in the extreme.
Madonna Iris!" he said, when you
turn your head so, 1t Is lovely beyond
words! Do you know that the line Of
your chin and throat is like the silver
white edge OF the young moon? AhI
Now you are angry. Forgive me; but
l have dreamed of that line since first
/ saw you'll"
There was a tense pause between
them.
mo, l am not angry" she said at
last in low voice, looking intently
at the sticks of her fan as she spoke.
"You see, had not forgot you, either"
II shall not give you chance to for
get!" he exclaimed to his companion.
But before she could reply, youth
who had been watching her. rushed up
and claimed her for the dance. With
smile she was gone; and In few
moments he saw her and her partner
emerge upon the floor below.
While he stood watching her. man
| joined him, and after nod and the
prefer of cigarette, which was ac-
cepted, stood beside him at the bal
cony rail.
This new acquaintance was thick
set young man, blond and rugged Of
feature. He was not In evening clothes
indeed, only two or three Of the
men were-and he did not look over
prosperous. But he fairly radiated
energy and enthusiasm, and his face
was strong and arresting. For several
moments they stood looking down int
the crowd.
| CTo BE coNTINUED3