The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1916-04-14
The Impossible Boy
BY WILCOX PUTNAM
By NINA WILCOX PUTNAM
(Copyrishs By Bobhs-Msrrill Cob

! have started to several times. but al.
ways forgot, somehow" ....
well. what = IT." asked Pedro.
smiling. I'm old enough to hear 1t.
guess. eh?"
Leigh smiled up at hin through a
cloud of tobacco smoke. 1T 10 the
dream of the very young to be old and
stepped in sin." said he. even ~ 1t 10
the dream Of the old to be young and
innocent"
"A truism. not an epigram." com,
mented Pedro. But what n the sol.
| emn communication"
ITS about Miss Vanderpool." re-
piled Leigh, his smile fading. You
ses her too often. and It won't do! Are
you not aware that she IL engaged. or
a. good ~ engaged. to the very man
| who has made It possible for you to
know her. Don't do II, boy. it's not
fair!"
How would you have me act am
painting her."
Don't see her at other times, then. "
Eth? Not 60 near her? Polite.
wouldn't that bel" exclaimed Pedro.
just for the welcomes Of leading
Leigh on.
You know what mean" said Leigh.
and he was watching Pedro very close
ly - he spoke. when, for instance,
do you expect to see her next?"
Tomorrow night at the Milligans'
masquerade replied Pedro. she will
be there"
Then don't gol" exclaimed Leigh.
II hate to natter you. Pedro. but you
are not without attractions"
Pedro lighted . cigarette.
IT think shall Co." he said. eying
the smoke meditatively. his handsome
head cooked to one side: his eyes half
closed. and queer little smile playing
about his lips.
Leigh swore an oath.
Don't be . cad!" he said shortly.
rising.
Pedro grew solemn ut his tone, and
yet . wicked spark fingered in the
depths of his eyes. Going up to Leigh.
the boy placed hand on the giants
shoulder and stood looking up at him.
II don't know quite what that cad
you say it," he said; but from the
way you speak of It, am sure 1t IL not
good to be one. Yet, am going to
that party. and simply in order to see
the Madonna lady. And in telling you
this. after what you have said about
Hill, must beg you to believe that no
matter how often l should see her
there would be no disloyalty in 1t to
my benefactor. Such treachery as you
suggest would, in my case, be absolute.
ly impossible, for more reasons than
can explain, or you could possibly
guess. An affair with her Is totally
impossible for me. VIII you not be.
lieve this. amigo milo"
As he spoke his face had grown
more and more grave, and at the end
he seemed struggling to hide some
deep emotion. Very seriously and in
tently Leigh watched his face until he
had ceased to speak.
Very we'll, I'll believe you," he
said finally, but it's a tricky danger
Gus matter. and mark my words, you'll
be sorry II you run your head into hel
trap; she's . charming young woman!'
"Yes!" said Pedro, And now
must co."
Col" cried Leigh in amusement
In this storm? What nonsense, man
Sleep here on the couch"
For reply Pedro seized his hat, q
panicky expression blanching his face
mo. MOI" he said. II must go!"
But it's nearly morning!" objected
Leigh. why the devil shouldn't yor
stay?"
Pedro's fingers were on the latch
Hat in hand. he flung back his answer
"Because!" he replied and rushed
out, banging the door behind him.
For q long time Leigh sat looking a.
the closed door, thinking hard, all tn,
lines in his face springing into prom
inence As he bent upon his subjec
with special concentration.
"Because!" he repeated aloud
What a strange answer. Because
Why? Why? Why?" Taking a sin
gle impulsive step toward the door h
flung his arms out before him.
Then. like a blind man who hat
! been suddenly given sight, he stag
gered across the studio and flung him
self upon the couch.