The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-06-06

lent view of the Yumuri, on the one
hand. and Of the town and harbor on
the other; no one ever climbed the hill
from the city TO gaze over into that
hidden valley without feeling pleas
urable surprise at finding II still there.
We are accustomed TO think OF perfect
beauty as unsubstantial, eyanescept;
but the Yumuri never changed. and in
that lay Its supremest wonder.
Through what had once been we'll
tended grounds, O'Reilly made his way
to sort Of sunken garden which. in
spite Of neglect. still remained the
most charming nook upon the place;
and there he sat down 10 wait for Rosa.
The hollow was effectually screened
from view by a growth OF plantain.
palm. orange. and tamarind trees; over
the rocky walls ran a profusion of
Towering plants and vines; In the CEN
ter Of the open space was an old well.
Its masonry curb all but crumbled
away.
When Rosa at last appeared, O'Reilly
felt called upon to tell her. somewhat
dizzily. that she was beyond doubt the
sweetest flower on all the Quinta de
Esteban, and since this somewhat hack
neyed remark was the boldest speech
he had ever made 70 her, she blushed
prettily. flashing him dimpled smile
Of mingled pleasure and surprise.
"Oh. but I assure you I'm In no
sweet temper" said she. "Just now I'm
tremendously angry"
"Whyf
"It's that epmother-Isabel. II she
dreamed that see you as often as
do Well" Rosa lifted her elo-
quent hands md eyes heavenward. II
suppose that's why enjoy doing 1T
SO dearly love TO spite her"
II seer' O'Reilly puckered his
brows and nodded. "But why, in that
case, haven't you seen me oftener? We
might Just as well have made the
good lady's life totally unbearable."
"Sillyl She knows nothing about
IT," With q filrtatious sigh Rosa add.
ed: "Thats what robs the affair Of Its
chief pleasure. Since II does not bother
her In the least. think will not al.
low you to come any more"
After judicious consideration, O'Reil.
ly pretended to agree.
There's no fun In wreaking a hor.
hble revenge. when your enemy isn't
wise to It," he acknowledged. "Since
It's your idea to irritate your stepmoth
or. perhaps II would annoy her II
made love directly to her."
Rosa Uttered. and then inquired
naively. "Can you make love, senor?"
Can II It's the one ability an
O'Rcilly inherits. Listen to this now.
Reaching forth. he took Rosa's finger,
In his: "waitl" he cried as she resist
ed. pretend that you're Mrs. varona
your own stepmother. and that this 4,
her dimpled hand I'm holding"
"Oh-b!" The girl allowed his grasr
to remain. "Isut Isabers hand ISM
dimpled: it's thin and bony. I've fell
It on my ears often enough"
~Don't interrupt" he told her. "Isa
bel. my little darling"
lsaberw exclaimed a voice. nnt
the lovers started guiltily apart. They
turned to find Esteban. Rosa's twin
brother. staring at them oddly. lisa
belf" he repeated. whats thlsi"
"You interrupted our theatricals.
was rehcarsing an impassloned pro
posaI to your beloved stepmother.'
O'Reiily explained. with a pretense OF
annoyance.
"Yes. Senor O'Reilly believes he car
infuriate Isabel by laying siege to her
| Hata 1h
cheeks were family flushed and heI
color deepened at the amusement II
Estebans eyes,, "He makes Low,
wretchedly."
"What little overheard wasn't bad,
Esteban declared; then he tool
OReilly's hand.
Esteban was handsome boy
!. straight, slim and manly. and his re
semblance to Rosa was startling
With a look engaging In its frank di
rectness, he said: Rosa told me abou
your meetings here and l came e
, apologize for our stepmother's dlscour
tesy. I'm sorry We can't invite yor
into our house. but--you understand
Rosa and l are not like her; we are
quite liberal In our views; we are al
most Americans, as you see. dare
say that's what makes Isabel hate
Americans SO bitterly"
wouldn't It please her to know thai
I'm becoming Cubanized as fast as
; ever canf" ventured the caller.
"Oh, she hates Cubans. too I" laughed
} the brother. "She's Spanish. you know
Well. it's fortunate you didn't see hel
. | todav Br-rf What a temperI gho'l