The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-10-23

creature at which he was staring IN
the dimness was a small bear, to
which was attached a chain that
clanked upon the asphalt walk.
Mr. Jones, is it?" snapped Hill
And who the devil are your
81 am Pedro" replied the animals S
custodian And even in the gloom
,, Hill could see the white CLEAN of a
smile. The slender figure Strengthened
up on the bench beside him.
What Pedro? Pedro who?" de,
manded Hill, interested in spite OF
himself.
"Only just Pedro" came the answer
Then followed laugh-a wonderful
ripping laugh, ending abruptly, as
though a door had been closed upon
| music.
well, Pedro, whoever you are" re
| piled Hill, you seem to be in as i'll
straits as myself, else you would not
be sitting in the square at such an
| hour
"Are you hungry, too?" Pedro in
quired.
Hill laughed, a short laugh, not sc
pleasant to hear as the others.
'In way" said he.
"Ah!" said Pedro pityingly. and by
the tone Hill knew that the youth hae
guessed at a hidden meaning in his
words.
"Why do you come to the city?'
asked the latter, after pause. your
brotherhood usually keep to the open
| road"
81 come because I am an artist, and
here I shall have more opportunity
to paint" replied Pedro.
"You speak as though you were q
genius said Hill bitingly.
Perhaps l am" Pedro returned.
There was a silence, during which
Mr.. Jones fumbled the hand of his new
acquaintance affectionately. Then
said Pedro:
What is your trouble?"
Somehow Hill was not in the least
offended by the question. For a mo
ment he considered it, then:
81 must go away and hide myself.
he said.
"And you don't want to go away?"
"Yes-or rather, want to 60, al
though it is a duty l take a bitter
pleasure in discharging. But must
go, because l must hide"
"Oh!" said Pedro. why go off to
hide? A good way to get out of sight
L. ir NH fol
no one about it. People so promptly
forget about you"
Hill peered at the youthful face to
see if the bear trainer was joking; but
no trace of mirth could he discover
"Perhaps!" said he. Then to change
the subject, when did you arrive in
the city,"
This afternoon"
"And what, exactly, do you expect
to do?"
ITO. find a master, and to study; to
find studio, and to paint" was the
terse reply.
"And meanwhile go hungry! Are
you saving all your money for the ends
you mention?"
81 have no money" explained Pedro
cheerfully.
Then how do you plan to get your
studio?"
q do not know yet" Pedro told
him. "But there must be great many
in so large city"
$50 you are not daunted by the
somewhat uncertain future before
you," remarked Hill. "even though
you are unfed?"
81 have been that before" retorted
Pedro dryly.
'eWeu," said Hill, "the most imme-
diate of our troubles can be mended.
1, too, am hungry. Will you dine with
me?"
1--WE shall be glad to-" said Pedro.
Hill had forgotten the bear, but
when Pedro said 1--WE" he realized that
there were three hungry beings.
"Au right" he said, making a rapid
mental inventory of Che restaurants he
knew. Hitting at last on the right
| one. he got to- his feet with a jerk.
Come along, we'll go over to Ga.
lotti's."
They ate the entire menu with very
little conversation. Then they pushed
| back their chairs a little, and talked
Hill tossed a package of cigarettes
| upon the table, lighting one himself
Pedro followed suit, inhaling the fumes
with a long sigh of contentment.
You are fond of that bear?" asked
Hill.
81 am" replied Pedro. HE is my
good friend; he is the thing l love
most of ALL"
Tell me of your wanderings with
| him." he asked.
And Pedro told him. The elder man
sat very still as he listened, his chair
| tilted back against the brick wall. his
| eyes narrowed to mere Sits of light
as he watched the young raconteu1
! through the blue haze of smoke. What
| tales these were to which he listened;
! how they stirred the wanderlust in
him.
Then, too, the fascination of the an
| c1ent and honorable profession OF pear
dancing had taken hold on Hill. But
though he listened well, every little
while came the thought Of his lost
love, and with it a wave of depression
swept over him. With a desperate eff
fort to pull away from it he asked
another question.
where are your companions
Very near the public garden from
! whsch we have just come" responded
Pedro Down the little cobbly street
to where the air-railway turns; then
in a little door, through a court, tc
an old house with wooden balconies
| they await me there
| How f1tting!" murmured Hill. How