Charlevoix county herald., 1918-03-01

glance went repeatedly to the door.
often to the clock. She was not q pa
tient waiter. Once she arose and
started for the door as though to 60.
returning to her table In evident In
decision.
A half-hour passed and had finish
ed my black coffee, and would have
departed had 1t not been that I hated
to leave this girl there. so distressed
and alone. Again I called Francis.
"Ask her to dine while she waits"
ordered.
He crossed to her table and made
the suggestion. to receive 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. l risked
discontinue. moving to Francis's
side.
Pardon me-" I said. you are
American ard in trouble. May not
help"
She gave me second glance from
under her eyelids. half frightened,
wholly diffident. II am not Ameri-
can" she said with the merest trace
Of Latin accent. but am In trouble"
Then let me help you." I persist
ed.
II might - might ask advice" shs
stammered. II am a stranger here
In the city--and l have somehow mis-
sed my friends. II you would be, 90
kind"
with your permissionT 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 II Is being
prepared, and can answer while you
eat You must be hungry"
Il am indeed" she admitted. II
should wait for my friends. hut there
must be some mistake mine or
theirs. Tell me, am l not-herer
She placed before me q card, its face
down, on which was penciled Brep-
ta's name and location and the hour,
p. Nj.
you are in Brenta's and its half
past eight" l answered. Your friends
are delayed. and will probably come
any minute. In the meantime let me
order for you. / know the menu and
will try to deserve your trust"
beckoned Francis and gave him
instructions. not waiting for her &C
Quiescence. and he FASTENED away.
When l 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 US
Americans. You are Italian?"
"Your first thought was nearer the
truth. ! am half English. then Span
ish. l am Isabelle Reade."
John Gilmore, at your service"
returned rather stiffly. will you tell
me how l may assist you by advice or
otherwise?"
IL arrived her but to-day from -
from the south" She waved her hand
vaguely to indicate distance and d.
rection. Save some friends who are
to-were to--meet me. know not
soul in San Francisco. Where to 60
how to find them-those are my prob
lems."
THAT would be easy. A direc-
tory"
"She does not live here. His name
I have forgotten, IL / ever knew 1t.
She is frOm-my country" Again
her expressive hands gestured dist
ance.
IF you will tell me her manner"
II may not. 1t must seem strange
to you. but there are reasons for Sc
crscy-not my own, but other peo-
pies. can--can tell so little!"
There was distress again In her eyes.
do not worry about it yet" COM
forted. Dine now, then tell me what
you may. We will find way out of
the difficulty, even should your friends
not arrive before you have finished
your meal. May order wine?"
Eyes. please; claret."
While she ate she was specializing
on how much and how little she might
tell me. l attempted to make CONVEX.
sation, but her thoughts were Tar
away from what / was saying, nor
could find topic of interest. l was
not to have her complete confidence,
that l could plainly see. but under her
long eyelashes she studied me.
Hers was not face for conceal
ment Of emotion or feeling. To my
observing eyes she was easier reading
than the book on South America /
had abandoned at her coming. There
was nothing furtive in her study of
me; timidity and shyness, but frank.
ness free from embarrassment.
You will tell me only as much as
you please" l said when coffee had
been brought. Il am not inquisitive."
She smiled gravely ut may not
seem much, but will keep back only
the things that are not mine to tell.