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

There was tense pause. Then he
spoke, and the words fell sharp -
knives upon the thick emotion that she
had conjured up.
Are we friends?"
The question held much more than
the spoken query. II was q denial. and
| . challenge.
Her voice was low and vibrant a.
she made her reply, her words, like
his, carrying . double meaning that
was equally apparent to them both.
under lite pretense Of being matter-of-
fact.
II don't feel very much like .
friend OF yours" she said
How do you feel. then2" he asked
gently.
How do feel'" she cried. II feel
like-like this!"
And slipping from the sofa before
he could prevent her. she fell upon
her knees in front Of him, and clasping
her hands ~ II in worship. gazed up
at him adoringly. almost touching him
as she knelt.
That 10 how feel" said Iris.
Don't. donri" said Pedro in .
broken voice.
Il love you'll" said Iris. why. you
surely know it-you must have seen
IT,"
She spoke with the glad note of one
who confesses what they believe to be
the most desired Of facts.
"Don'ti" Pedro pleaded again.
But why should notf" she asked
radiantly. II love you'll Do you not
like to hear me say It? Does not my
having come here In this manner
prove itr'
moi" he cried in agony, springins
to his feet a. though to defend him
self from something. mo, It proves
nothing Of the kind. You do not, can
not love me! It IL impossible. impos-
slble. have already told you 80. Ali
cannot endure to have you act SO!
And this IL Hills own room!"
But l do love you'll" she cried. fol.
lowing him. Pedro, touch me-tell
me that you care! Kiss me, Pedro!"
"Never!" he said fiercely. You do
not love me-you love Hill! Yes. yes,
you do. although you do not realize It.
I am really nothing to you but q re-
action-a pastime!"
THAT - not true!" she sobbed.
1T Isl" he shrilled. "You have loved
Hill all along! Me! Why. 1t is out Of
the question that you should care for
me. 1t 10 against nature! The atmos-
phere Of the studio 10 what you love
here. the informally. the careless free
dom; but, me-ah! no. You love love
itself primarily, and tonight it has
mastered you. But the man whom you
love is HILL"
All. SO you care nothing for me,
aftsr ALT" she moaned. But am
past pride; kiss me, Pedro!"
Il will mott" he cried. retreating
from her. Il love you in my own way
-as much a. l can love any woman
but i will not kiss you! You are mad
tonight It 10 the environment, the
situation. not me. that has 10 aroused
you. You must 60 home!"
kiss me. Pedro" said Iris with out.
stretched arms.
Roughly he flung her away.
'Listen!" he commanded, you don't
know what you are doing. You ara
nothing but an infatuated little animal
tonight. You no mora love me than
you love that lamp-than the lowering
moth loves it! There Ii q splendid
man who does love you, and you 70
turn his affection, although you do not
appear to be conscious Of 1t: but take
| .warning-and open your eyes to the
fact. Do 30 before you succeed In
smuggling your wings at come such
earth-fire az you have tried to light to
night! Love is q sacred. a wonderful
thing, and 1t comes to us but once"
But she had not been listening
Kiss mel" said she.
mol" cried Pedro.
Touch me. then!" she cried wildly
Take my hand-anything! am mad
for the touch Of your hand!"
"Will you not listen to reason7" hi
implored. Il cannot endure that you
should belittle yourself so! cannot
love you as you wish, and again I re-
peat, you do not love me-"
She gasped a little, and then came
to him swayingly, and placed hel
hands upon his shoulders.
Il do not care!" she breathed. You
may not love me-but I love you'll"
Silence. Then
st is impossible!" he calculated.
Another short pause.
why did you lead me on to speak r
she demanded. a note Of anger creep
ing into her voice.
because knew 1t had to come. The
sooner the matter was explained the
better" he answered.
But you are making no explana
tion." she complained tenderly
Come! shall not let you 60 until
you dol"
And she slid her hands down to his
gripping them tightly.
II cannot"
But you SHALL" she insisted. VIVA,