The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-11-27
fMNP0SSBLE MES BOY
MNLNA WILCOX PUTNAM
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. ~ DRHODEO
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cameo-like beauty, he thought for the
hundredth time that Hill had chosen
| we'll. Small wonder that the latter had
been driven to despair by her! And
she-did she still care for the absent
painter? She seldom spoke Of him,
and that argued well for Hills cause.
And what had parted these two? Some
silly, silly quarrel, he again assured
himself How well matched they
were, how admirably suited to each
other! But how about the girls atti-
tude toward himself :? A subtle
smile crept to the corners Of his mouth
| at the thought, and he hastily took his
eyes from her face, looking intently at
the glowing cigarette between his fin
gers instead.
What Is the matter?" she asked.
"A second ago you were merry. Now
you look quiet, wise-dangerous? How
you change!"
Dangerous! Far from IT," he ex-
claimed, pushing back his chair. that
! is, unless you call overwhelming curl
| osity dangerous. Personally l think
it less dangerous than lack of curl
| osity; to the individual, at least"
"And what makes you curious?" she
| asked.
Then Pedro, who did not know how
to lead gently up to any subject,
plunged in.
Were you engaged to Hill?" he
asked abruptly.
Without answering, she arose and
walked away to the window, where she
stood for several moments before re-
plying, her back turned.
YES" she said at last.
"And do you still care for him?'
To her own intense surprise she
found that she could not reply at once.
Il beg your pardon, Madonna" said
Pedro softly.
ooh, you don't understand" she
cried wildly, throwing out her hands.
81 don't care. hate-oh! why did you
ask me?"
Il think 1 do understand" he said
very distinctly, looking straight at her.
A wave Of crimson flooded her
cheeks. What did he mean? Unable
to face him longer, she buried her face
in her hands. He came toward her
and stood where he could have touched
her.
Sam Hill is a great SOUL" said he
softly. "He is generous and good. He
is talented, he is -
"He is nothing to mel" she gasped,
looking up.
He is my friend" finished Pedro
firmly.
She flung her arms wide, and turned
to him with an appealing gesture, her
face revealing an emotion she made
no attempt to conceal, nor he to
ignore.
"Pedro!" she began passionately,
you will think me mad for saying it.,
but ali! 1 cannot help it-you make
me! Pedro, love > :"
There was a crash as his liquor
glass fell to the floor.
"Hush!" said he.
What is it," she asked, for the mo-
ment startled into normality.
"Nothing!" said he, "only you are
not to finish your sentence. Never
mind the glass, it was done intention
ally Let us talk of other things"
But, Pedro" she said Historically,
Il cannot! am possessed! How can
you be so cruel?"
please, pleased" he begged her.
Madonna, l am abject; l am in tor
ture! Have pity!"
1T is akin to pity" she replied.
Pedro walked to the hearth and
Strengthened up and spoke.
"Impossible!" he said quietly. ut
terly impossible"
And she, watching him intently.
knew he had believed her, although he
presented this denial. She felt, too,
that her cause was nearly hopeless.
"You do not care, then" she said in
a low voice.
Madonna Lady," he said sadly, 81
care for you great deal, but not as
Hill does; not as man should, to be
your lover. You charm me beyond
words; you are lovely as dream, and
If could love any woman, 1t would
be you-but you are not for me-"
why not?" she asked sharply, be-
tween her tortured breaths.
'The reason is beyond my. power to
alter" said Pedro.
Then" said she, II suppose l had
better CO. Shall you wish to finish the
picture?"
<"Iris!" he cried in suddenly
changed tone, come here. listen! OF
course 1 want to finish the picture; it
is going to be good! And what is
more, If you will be SO gracious, with
your permission We will finish 1t, and
renew our friendship at the same
| time"
Friendship" said she. with mirth-
less little laugh.
"Come!" he cried, with an attempt
at putting the incident behind them,
81 must talk to you about something
very important You asked me to help
you find out who was troubling your
| father
YES" she assented, without much
interest, however.
Well" he said slowly, Il am most
distressingly placed, Madonna. l am
almost certain that he Is being either
blackmailed or misled in some man
ner, and yet my hands are absolutely
tied. / can do nothing"
What do you mean?" she demand.
ed, aroused.
Il seem fated to be man of mys-
terry" he lamented. but I cannot help
1t! l have ascertained that man OF
doubtful character Is in communica.
ton with your father; that much l
learned last week. But at the instant
Of my discovery of this fact cir.
| cumstance arose that makes 1t impos-
sible for me to continue as your de-
tective. More than this cannot say.
But you will have to find some one