The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-12-25

cling! Cautiously ne crept over to the
door without making any noise, and
| putting his ear to the panel, listened
intently. No sound! Whoever they
were, they were quiet enough! But
who could It possibly be? Again he
listened at the door. and at first heard
nothing but the distant roar of the
elevated cars, and the tense audible"
silence Of the sleeping tenement. Then
faint stirring and-was 1t a sight
came to him from within the room.
This was q sound not to be withstood,
and. very gently. he turned the door
latch-key. Then. with swift stealthy
movement that was like q panther's
maneuver, he opened the door crack,
slid through, and quickly closing It
after him, stood motionless with his
back against 1t. A curious scene met
his gaze.
Two old Spanish lamps that hung
from the ceiling had been lighted, and
on the hearth glowed the embers Of a
dying fire. BY the soft red light of
these the room took shape. and
gigantic shadows stirred in the cor
ners.
At first the apartment seemed unoc-
cupied, but second glance showed
this impression to be mistaken one,
for even as he turned toward the
couch, there was gentle stirring
among the cushions and one of them,
Earring a stand full of long-stemmed
roses near by, sent shower Of Grim.
son petals fiuttering over the sleeping
form of Iris herself.
"Dios!" whispered Pedro.
For a breath or two he stood staring
down at her, and then, being careful
not to awaken her, he drew up large
armchair to the opposite eide Of the
hearth, and dropping into 1t. sat re-
garding her intently, his hands clasped
about his knees, his head bowed.
That Iris had been at ball or fes
tivity of some sort was plain from the
gown she wore.
Her hair seemed washed with melt
ed gold, after the manner of the an
clients, and her carmine lips half parted
over the little. even white teeth, might
have been stained with henna, so red
they were-so very red-like wounded
poppy-and her skin was so very, very
white, yet creamy, too.
Princess or the past ages" he muir
INJURED softly, your soul shines
through the flesh of today"
Pedro arose, and bending over her
brushed a new-fallen petal from her
lips. And Iris awoke, looking at him
with love In her eyes.
81 knew you would come tonight,
she said smiling. Something told me
SOL"
She held out her hands, and he as
sisted her to sitting posture.
What made you think l would be
here tonight" he asked, his voice still
low and level. Il did not know 1t my
self"
Il was not sure, of counsel" she pro
tested. ut was only that felt you
might be, and I-oh! was mad to
come, suppose, and you will think me
|. =. yet, l could not stay away
Something seemed calling and calling
me! Are you not glad to see me?
-oh-say you are glad. for am SC
ashamed" She had arisen and stood
before him with downcast head.
"Why?" said Pedro.
"Ah! II you need to ask that, then
I am not ashamed" she cried. You
always understand! l knew you
would that is, IL you were
here at ALI"
"This time I do not quite under
stand, Madonna" said Pedro, but you
are very gracious. Will you not be
seated?"
II was frightened when l came in
here" she confessed. THE studio is
so vast at night, and SO full of shad
ows, and then, coming up the stairs
that is, the unusualness of II
all, you know! And I have been sc
worried about you'll"
"But why?" he asked again.
"The paper that signed!" she
laughed nervously, her fingers stray
ing to the truant locks Of his hair
"The paper, and the mad way in which
| JOu bCiZCu dpOh hCh thlo .
terious absence without warning. And
yet / knew you would return; my
presence here proves my faith in your
ability to win out. Have you any
news?"
Not yet" he said, thinking it best
to let Hill tell his own story in his
own time. But tell me. Madonna lady
is it conventional in America for young
ladies In society to go about alone al
such an hour as this?"
He was watching her intently as he
spoke, and she. wondering how limo
cent the speech was, felt the hot blood
mounting to her forehead.
"No-nol" she stammered, but we
surely you understand! Nc
one keeps account of my coming or go
ing, and as far as my household is con
cerned, might easily be at the dance
until even later than thisi Then we
are such--we have been such good
friends surely we are different The