Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-30

brows and nodded. But why, in thai
case, haven't You seen me oftener? We
might just as well have made the good
lady's life totally unbearable.
silly, She knows nothing about it, >
With a flirtatious sigh Rosa added
That's what robs the affair of its chief
pleasure. Since it does not bother her
in the least 1 think I will not allow
you to come any more
After 1udicious consideration O'Reilly
pretended to agree.
There's no fun in ,wreaking horri-
BILE revenge when your enemy isn't wise
to it,, he acknowledged. Since its
your idea to initiate your stepmother.
perhaps it would annoy her more if
made love directly to her.
Rosa Uttered. and then INQUIRED,
naively Can YOU make love, senor?
Can I? It's the one ability an O Reilly
inherits Listen TO this now Reach
ing forth. he took Rosa's fingers in his.
Watt he cried. as she resisted. Pre-
tend that you're Mrs Narona, your
own stepmother. and that this is her
dimp1ed hand I'm holding
.'Oh-h" The girl allowed his grasp
to remain. But lisa bells hand ism I
dimpled: it's thin and bony. I've felt It
on my ears often enough
Don't interrupt he told her lisa
bel, my little darling"
"Iittlen La: La! She's as tall and
ugly as chimney"
flush. I've held my tongue as long
j can, but now it's running away Of
its own accord; and l must tell you
how mad ] am about You. The first
time I saw you--it was at the ball in
the Spanish Club Again Rosa
drew away sharply. at which O'Reilly
laid his other hand over the one in his
palm. saying, quickly: You and your
stepdaughter. Rosa. Do You remember
that first waltz Of ours Sure.
thought | was in heaven, with You IN
my arms and your eyes shining into
mine, and | told YOU so"
SO: you make the same pretty,
speeches to all women, eh?" the girl
reproached him
Isabel. sweetheart. l lose my breath
when ] think Of you; my lips pucker
up for Kisses
Isabel exclaimed voice: and the
lovers started guiltily apart They
turned to find Esteban. R"sa's twin
brother. staring at them oddly lisa
bel?" he repeated. What's this
''You interrupted theatricals. I was
rehearsing IN impassioned proposal 70
your beloved stepmother." O'Reilly ex-
planned. with a pretense of annoyance.
Yes, Senior OReilly believes he can
infuriate Isabel by laying siege to her.
He's Abolish person. Rosa 5
cheeks were family flushed and her
color deepened at the amusement in
Esteban's eyes. He makes love
wretchedly.
What little overheard wasn't
Dad, ESleDaH declared. then he LOON
O'Reilly's hand.
Esteban was handsome boy. slim.
straight and manly, and his resem
hlance to Rosa was startling With 4
look engaging in its frank directness.
he said: Rosa told me about your
meetings here. and ! came to apologize
for our stepmother's discourtesy. I'm
sorry we can't invite you into our
house, but-you understand? Rosa and
I are not like her: we are quite liberal
in our views; we are almost America MS.
as you see. ! dare say that's what
makes Isabel hate Americans bit
terly."
Wouldn't it please her to know that
I'm becoming Cubanized as fast as ever
| cam" ventured the caller.
oh. she hates Cubans too" laughed
the brother. She's Spanish. YOU
know. Well it's fortunate you didn't
see her today. Brr. What temper.
her for money. as usual, and. as usual.
she refused. 1t was like scene from
play. Shell walk in her sleep to-
night. if ever
Rosa nodded soberiy. and O'Reilly.
suppressing some light reply that had
sprunS to his lips. inquired, curiously.
What do You mean by that"
Brother and sister Joined in explain
ing that Dona Isabel was given to
peculiar actions, especially after periods
of excitement or anger, and that one
of her eccentricfties had taken the
form of somnam bulistic wanderings.
ooh, she's crazy enough" Esteban con-
cluded st believe it's her evil con-
science"
Rosa explained furtheri She used to