The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1916-04-14

putting MS ear TO the panel, listened
intently. No sound! Whoever they
we're, they were quiet enough! But
who could It possibly bef 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
q faint stirring and-was It q 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 . panther's
maneuver. he opened the door crack.
slid through. and quickly closing It
after him. stood motionless with his
back against 1t. A curioussscene met
his gaze.
Two old Spanish lamps that hung
from the ceiling had been lighted, and
on the hearth glowed the embers Of q
dying IRE. 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 q second glance showed
this impression to be mistaken one,
for even rs he turned toward the
couch. there was a gentle stirring
among the cushions and one of them,
jarring . stand full Of lons-stemmed
roses near by. sent . shower of Grim
son petals fluttering over the sleeping
form of Iris herself.
"Dios!" whispered Pedro.
For q breath or two he stood staring
down at her. and then. being careful
not to awaken her, he drew up q large
armchair to the opposite eide 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 Httle. even white teeth, might
have been stained with henna, 10 red
they were-so very red-like wounded
poppy-and her skin was % very, very
white. yet creamy, too.
Princess Of the past ages" he muir
INJURED softly. your soul shines
through the flesh Of today!"
Pedro arose. and bending over her.
brushed q new.Sallen petal from her
lips. And Iris awoke. looking at him
with love In her eyes.
II knew you would come tonight"
she said smiling. Something told me
sol"
She held out her hands. and he A.
sisted her to q sitting posture.
What made you think l would DO
here tonight?" he asked. his voice still
low and level. II did not know it my
SELF"
Il was not sure, of course!" she pro-
tested. ut was only that l felt you
might be, and I-oh! l was mad to
come. I suppose. and you will think me
yet, could not stay away
Something seemed calling and calling
me! Are you not glad to see me! I
-oh-say you are glad. for am so
ashamed" She had arisen and stood
before him with downcast head.
"Why?" said Pedro.
"Ah! II you need to ask that, then
am not ashamed" she cried. You
always understand! knew you
would that is. If you were
here at ALL"
This time l do not quite under
stand, Madonna" said Pedro, but you
are very gracious. viii you not be
seated?"
Il was frightened when I came in
here" she confessed. THE studio 10
so vast at night. and SO full Of shad-
ows, and then, coming up the stairs
that Is. the unusualness of It
all. you know! And I have been 20
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
you seized upon 1t. Then this mys-
FERROUS absence without warning. And
yet / knew you would return: nv
presence here proves my faith in your
ability to win out. Have you any
uews?"
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 youns
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 ipno
cent the speech was, felt the hot blood
mounting to her forehead
"No-no!" she stammered, but we
. surely you understand! Nc
one keeps account Of my coming or 20
ing, and as far az my household is con
cerned, might easily be at the dance
| until even later than this! Then We
are such-we have been such good
friends, surely we are different The
ordinary conventions do not concern