The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1916-04-28

| love to him her, that ID, ana
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 a man. / went there
alone. The model told me I ought not
to. and why; but was mad-I did not
really understand what she meant
And then. last night"-her voice sank
to a whisper and she kept looking FIX
eddy ut the noor-'last night I went
to Pedro's studio again alone 1.
| was desperate didn't
: clearly know what was doing. And
he (that was before I knew. Pedro,
told me plainly. right out plainly {.
and / didn't care and at
last he had to confess he was q girl
and oh! Mr.. Leigh. do you
think Sam will ever forgive me for be-
ing such a wicked fool? And do you
think he will ever come back 80 that
l can tell him how sorry I am that
ever picked that silly, wrong headed
quarrel with him? Oh, do you?"
Leigh's voice shook with emotion
as he answered her. and he was glad
that she did not look him in the face
as he spoke, for he knew that at the
moment its expression had got be-
yond his power Of control.
YES" he said unsteadily. 1T 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 sight that
would ordinarily have been sufficient
to fill him with Amusement, 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, Il 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 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 balcony like a drunken man. From
the floor below came the rhythmic
stamp of many heels, and the tinkling
tune Of the Spanish"
In the little room a few explanations
we're taking place.
Sam, my son-to-be." said Wander
pool. 1T 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 1t to me-"
With slow-dawning understanding,
she looked from the document to his
happy face.
"Of course l did. dear" said she.
uttering her first wifely NIB. And are
you really safe. daddy"
II am in no danger OF which l am
aware" said Vanderpool. "Hill 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 dark corner.
Meanwhile, Leigh, his heart like 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. fluttering Of hands, the
ripple OF applause died away, and
the crowd broke up into groups, who
laughed and ate with as little concern
as though the world had not been
changed forever for Leigh. Suddenly
a 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 a moment or two no one
danced, held back by that unwilling
ness to be the first which always fol-