Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-01-03
M from the end of a page.


patrons were almost entirely Latin.
Among these were many of the ex-
treme brunette type, but the girl be-
fore me was uItra-b brunette and, unless
my guess was wrong. not Latin.
Her hair and eyes we're the living
black OF the crows wing, taking color
only to emphasize their blackness.
Her skin was the faintest shade Of
copper, as though the fairness Of pink
and white had been sun-kissed to tan,
and the color behind 1t came and
went. varying it's shade through the
most translucent covering. She was
a brunette of delicate pigments in
tensely refined; the effect of a night
with stars.
She looked up and caught my eyes
above the book. Long lashes of Jet
raised and lowered quickly, to show
me great ebon irises almost obliterat-
ing the white. Above were brows that
curved like penciled tracing. The
nose was delicate, thin ridged, tri.
fle short, and the mouth gave the i'm
preston of too soft modelling, too
perfect form, too rich coloring. Such
exquisite shape and glow, were al
most unbelievable outside of art.
This sounds rude stare. / caught
1t in a glance, and more; saw round
ed arms of soft bronze, bare to the ell
bows, form that was graceful curves
gowned in simple taste, effectively;
small, slippered foot; and saw she
was troubled. There was the signal Of
trouble in her pose, her face, her eyes.
In one glance of trained observation,
I saw her marvellous beauty and read
the tokens of distress.
My book became shield behind
which l observed this one, lone girl.
She was evidently stranger there,
for others of the regular patrons were
gazing her way, some without the
grace to hide their stares. She was
as certain Of scrutiny as beautiful
wild bird, and her timidity was the
same. She was unused to the obvious
admiration, the looks of manifest ap-
probation. Her sensitiveness recoiled
from this wordless approval.
"Who is she?" I asked of Francis,
who had seated her. He shrugged q
negation. Some one will she meet"
he replied.
She had not ordered dinner and her
glance went repeatedly~to the door.
often to the clock. She was not a pa
tient waiter. Once she arose and
started for the door as though to go,
returning to her table in evident in
decision.
A half-hour passed and had finish
ed my black coffee, and would have
departed had it not been that hated
to leave this girl there, so distressed
and alone. Again called Francis.
"Ask her to dine lille she waits" l
ordered.
He crossed to h"" table and made
the suggestion, to receive a shake of
the head in negation. There was Sc
.ious disturbance now in her deep
eyes, in the distressed movements of
her lips and chin, and feered tears
were close to the surface. !. riske0
discontinue, moving to Francis's
side.
Pardon me-" ! said. you are
American and in trouble. May not
help?"
She gave me a second glance from
under her eyelids, half frightened.
wholly diffident. 81 am not Ameri-
can," she said with the merest trace
of Latin accent, "but am in trouble"
"Then let me help you," / persist
ed.
81 might - might ask advice" she
stammered. ~ am stranger here
in the city-and / have somehow mis-
sed my friends. If you would be so
kind"
with your permission?" / touched
the back of the chair opposite her.
and she nodded assent. "Now," con.
tinued. sitting, 'before you tell me
anything, will you please order din
ner? You can talk while it is being
prepared. and can answer while you
eat. You must be hungry"
II am indeed" she admitted. II
should wait for my friends, but there
must be some mistake mine or
theirs. Tell me, am not-here?"
She placed before me card, its face
down, on which was penciled Bren-
,ta's name and location and the hour,
s p. NJ.
"You-ar in Brenta's and it's half
past eight" ! answered. "Your friends
are delayed, and will probably come
any minute. In the meantime let me
order for you. l know the menu and
will try to deserve your trust"
beckoned Francis and gave him
instructions. not waiting for her ac-
quiescence, and he fastened away.
When looked again at her the trou-
BILE in her eyes had lessened "They
will come my friends = later, you
think?" she asked.
Surely" replied. "a difference of
an hour is inconsiderable for lis
Americans. You are Italian?"
Your first thought was nearer the
truth. am half English, then Span
ish. l am Isabelle Reade."