Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-11-07

Zlingi Cautiously he 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
a faint stirring and-was 1t a sigh?-
came to him from within the room
This was a. sound not to be withstood,
and, very gently, he turned the door
knob, at the same time fitting in his
latch-key. Then, with swift stealthy
movement that was like, a 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 y
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-
this impression to be a. mistaken one,
for even as he turned toward the
couch, there was a gentle stirring
among the cushions and one of them.
Earring a stand full of long-stemmed
roses near by, sent a shower of Grim
son petals futtering over the sleeping
form of Iris herself.
"sDiosi" whispered Pedro.
he, 80. e<a
down at her, and then. being careful
not to awaken her, he drew up large
armchair to the opposite side of the
hearth. and dropping into it. 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 of the past ages" he muir
INJURED softly, your soul shines
r.
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.
st 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. 81 did not know it my
SELF
II was not sure. of counsel" she pro-
! tested. 1T was only that / felt you
might be, and I-ohi I was mad to
come. 1 suppose, and you will think me
yet, / could not stay away.
Something seemed calling and calling
mel Are you not glad to see me?
| -oh-say you are glad. for 1 am SO
ashamed" She had arisen and stood
before him with downcast head.
"Why?' said Pedro.
All! If you need to ask that, then
I am not ashamed" she cried. You
always understand knew you
would that is, if you were
here at ALL"
This time I do not quite under
stand. Madonna said Pedro, but you
| are very gracious. Will you not be
seated?"
Il 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
l. that is, the unusualness of ii
all, you knowi And 1 have been sc
worried about you'll"
But why?'' he asked again
The paper that / signedi" she
laughed nervously, her fingers stray
ing to the truant locks of his hair
The paper, and the mad way in which
you seized upon it. Then this mys
terious absence without warning And
| yet I 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 il besi
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-no." she stammered, @but we
surely you understand NJ
one keeps account Of my coming or go
I ,-,r- .1r,