The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-01-08

even guessed. and went on making
love to him her, that Is, and
couldn't understand why he-she
didn't like it. And oh! more than
that. did terrible things; that is.
they would have been terrible II
Pedro had been q man. went there
alone. The model told me ought not
to. and why; but was mad did not
really understand what she meant.
And then, last night"-her voice sank
TO a whisper and she kept looking fix
eddy at the fioor-''last night / went
to Pedro's studio again alone
l was desperate / didn't
clearly know what l was doing. And
he chat was before l knew, Pedro,
told me plainly, right out plainly
and / didn't care and at
last he had to confess he was a girl
and oh! Mr.. Leigh, do you
think Sam will ever forgive me for be-
ing such wicked fool? And do you
think he will ever come back SO that
/ can tell him how sorry am that l
ever picked that silly, wrong-headed
quarrel with him? Oh. do your"
Leighs voice shook with emotion
as he answered her, and he was glad
that she did not look him in the face
moment its expression had got be-
yond his power of control
YES" he said unsteadily. lit will
all come right"
He got to his feet. and took an un-
certain step or two, the words she had
just uttered concerning Pedro still
ringing In his brain. The pace or two
had, however, brought him facing the
door. In 1t his eyes met a sight that
would ordinarily have been sufficient
to fill him with amazement, but Leigh
was too much stunned by Iris uncon-
scious confirmation of his own secret
knowledge to feel any further emotion
just then. But he managed to speak,
and the words aroused Iris like magic.
YES" he said feebly, II think you
will have the opportunity Of apollo
giving, for here comes Sam Hill now!"
Then they both stared hard at the
door. where, sure enough, Sam was
standing. disguised as a bear trainer,
every detail of his costume complete,
down to the very bear itself. Iris gave
little cry. He was smiling at her,
and behind him Swallowed the tall
figure OF her father. She turned to
her lover, her hands outstretched.
Samuel" she said brokenly, and
was gathered into his arms.
Samuel, beloved Of the Lord" NUT
tered Leigh, as he reeled out on to
the floor below came the rhythmic
stamp of many heels, and the tinkling
tune Of the Spanish"
-
In the little room a few explanations
were taking place.
Sam, my son-to-be," said Wander
pool, lit seems to me that you needed
neither my presence nor your docu-
ment."
And Iris, still clinging to her lover,
was sufficiently curious to ask:
What document, father?"
"Why, this!" explained Hill, taking
her pledge from his breast pocket
with his free hand, and showing 1t to
her.
THAT" exclaimed Iris.
"Of course, dearest!" beamed Sam.
your father here will explain every.
thing and help me fulfil the con-
ditions-but you seem surprised.
Didn't you send it to me?"
With slow-dawning understanding,
| oh M IN hi q
happy face.
"Of course l did. DEAR" said she,
uttering her first wifely fib. And are
you really safe, daddy?"
II am in no danger Of which l am
aware" said vanderpool. chill has the
whole story, and l shall let him tell
it."
"Then everything is all right" cried
Hill. Come on. let's get out of this.
Let's go to your house"
"Yes," assented Iris, wherewith the
lovers went away, unheedful Of the
lonely man who babe them Godspeed,
or of the bear, who had fallen asleep
In a dark corner.
Meanwhile, Leigh, his heart ike TO
burst with hundred eliminated emo
lions, sat by the balcony rail, and
scanned the crowd In eager search for
Pedro. From this vantage point he
saw Iris and Samuel take their de-
parture. and then the music stopped.
There was a fiuttering of hands, the
ripple of applause died away. and
the crowd broke up into groups. who
laughed and ate with AZ little concern
az though the world had not been
changed forever for Leigh. Suddenly
Z strange thing happened.
The center Of the floor was for the
moment clear. and the musicians had
returned their instruments. Then.
above the gay murmur OF the human
voices walled the voice Of the violin.
the accompaniment throbbing softly
below. For q moment or two no one