Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-05-15

only the Dolores OF his evening. the
hancer. was older with all the beauty
the child Of twelve gave promise Of.
II II was his Dolores-he was calling
her that now, for his interest In the AZ.
fair was absurdly deep-if Il was his
Dolores. Dolores Of the broom. OF the
manifold household tasks he knew she
accomplished, then why should she
deny his a-cqualntance2
He vas piqued. Surely there had not
been 30 many American visitors In
Santa VadOs that she had forgotten
him!
Paul was vexed because Dolores
haunted his dreams that night. and In
the morning he awoke with a headache
and n resolve to see Dolores dance that
evening.
SO Once more ne sat and watched
that blithe young form ioat out from
the wings to weave a spell about his
heart until he could close his eyes and
dream that he was in Mexico again.
the mandollns tlnkled an accOmpani.
ment to her fairy feet, and the yellow
roses at her breast dropped and gave
out their dying fragrance.
Then, amid deafening applause, she
came to the fOOtlights to receive offer
ings Of flowers.
Paul saw an usher hand up his bas-
ket heaped with trailing sprays OF Jas
mine, and without a glance at the card
the dancer cast a startled upward
glance at Puul's box. Then, with a
charming bow that included the whole
thenter from pit to gallery, she van.
ished. laden with flowers.
"She recognizes mel II is Dolores,
my Dolores What In thunder Is the
matter with met" he muttered as he
made his way back Of the scenes.
But again SenOrita Lopez denied her
acquaintance with the handsome Amer
lean. aud again Paul went away, cha
grined but satisfied in his heart that
the dancer was the daughter OF Fer
nnndo Lopez.
Night after night Paul Galb-aith sat
In q box ut the same theater, waiting
only long enough to watch Dolores
dance. When she vanished he went
too. Every night he sent her a basket
Of jasmine flowers, but never after that
FIRST startled glance at him did Dolores
acknowledge his nightly Offering.
How 70 meet her became a question
that haunted his waking hours.
whats the matter. Galbralth7"
questioned his closest friend, Tom De-
lanoy. You're as mOony and seedy
as can be. If | didn't know you to
be utterly heartless where women are
concerned | should say that you were
In love. oh, don't frown at me like
that! l know all the symptoms. I've
been in and out Of love dozens Of
times myself. But when you serious
chaps take a notion you have a bad
attack. Now. how about Dolores, the
daDcerT'
This was a random shot, but It found
It's mark.
Paul grew white about the lips, and
bic eyes flashed.
ut isn't such a joke as you might
imagine. Tom" he said quietly.
Il beg pardon" said the other con-
tritely. 81 heard the fellows JOshing
around that you were there every
night. OF course l didn't believe 1t. be-
cause
you can believe It," interrupted
Paul grimly. Its true"
whats true7' asked Tom craftily.
THAT I've been attending every per-
Torrance where Dolores Lopez has
danced"
The dickens you have! And you
deny that you're in lover
Paul smiled. II don't deny 1t be-
cause ! don't know myself. But she's
a battling mystery. and l rather be
lleve that's the attraction for me. You
know. Tom. I've always been attracted
by anything that bafled my under
standing. neve rest until | unraveI
II. Well. it's the case with Dolores
Lopez. She denies my acquaintance.
but | used to know her when n child
In Mexico"
Tom paced the floor. his round face
comically perplcKed.
well. you cant do q darned thing
when n lady denies your aequalnt.
ance." he admitted at last. "TIl tell
you whit I'll do. Paul. Suppose l call
upon her aud tell her / am a friend
OF yours and that you're very anxious
to meet her again and
Paul lifted a protesting hand
"No. thanks. TOm-much Obliged. old
fellow. but 1t won't DO. I'll make one
more trial III write her a letter Arst
and
''Thats the ticket-write a letter or
telephone. chr
Paul hesitated. That's taking a
mean advantage u her. Tom. I'll
write TO her and remind her OF the
little Mexican lullaby she used to sing
10 her queer cOrnhusk dOllles. II
began 'Dormir-dormir,' BY Jove. I've
forgotten the rest, but It was a sweet
little thing" Paul hummed a minor
air under his breath. while Tom watch.
cd him with amused eyes,
The next day Paul wrote his letter
10 Dolores Lopez. He wrote many
letters, for none OF them suited him,
and finally the one he did send was
brusqus almost TO rudeness. 20 afraid
was he OF offending her by too great
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