The Ordway new era., 1918-09-20

| 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
uruble surprise af finding II still there.
We are accustomed to think of perfect
beauty as unsubstantial, evanescent |;
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 to wait for Rosa.
The hollow was effectually screened
from view by growth Of pIantain.
palm, orange, and tamnrind trees; over
the rocky walls ran 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
dlzzIly. that she was beyond doubt the
sweetest flower on all the Quinta de
Estcban, and since this somewhat hack
neyed remark was the boldest speech
he had ever made to her, she blushed
prettily. flashing him dlmpled smile
Of mingled pleasure and surprise.
"Oh, but / assure you I'm in no
sweet temper" said she. "Just n5w I'm
tremendously angry"
"Why?"
"It's that tepmother-Isabel. II she
dreamed that | see you as often as
do Well" Rosa lifted her elo-
quent hands and eyes heavenward. II
suppose that's why enjoy doing i'll
| so deisrly love to spite her.
Il seei" O'Reilly puckered his
brows and nodded. But why. In that
case haven't you seen me oftcner? We
might just ms well have made the
good lady's life totally unbearabe,"
"Sillyl She knows nothing about
It." With fiirtatious sigh Rosa add
ed "Thnts what robs the affair of Its
chief pleasure. Since 1t 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 hor-.
rible revenge, when your enemy isn't
wise to It," he acknowledged. "Since
It's your idea to irritate your stepmOth-
er, perhaps 1t would annoy her IL /
mnde love directly to her."
Ros;f Uttered, and then inquired,
naively, Can you make love. senor?"
Can II It's the one ability an
o'Reilly inherits. Listen to this now"
Reaching forth, he took Rosa's fingers
In his: "Wait 7" he cried as she resist
ed. Pretend that you're Mrs. varona,
your own stepmother, and that this is
her dimpled hand I'm holding"
"Oh-h" The girl allowed his grasp
10 remain. But IsabeI's hand isn't
dimpled: it's thin and bony. I've felt
1t on inS ears often enough"
Don't interrupt" he told her. Elsa
bel, my little darling"
"'Isabel'!" exclaimed n voice. and
the lovers started guilty apart They
turned TO find Esteban, Rosn's twin
brother, staring mt them oddly. Elsa
belf' he repeated. whats this?"
"You interrupted our theatrlcals. /
was rehearsing an impassioned pro-
posal to your beloved stepmother,"
oRcilly explained, with pretense of
annoyance.
''Yes, Senior O'Reilly believes he can
infuriate Isabel by laying siege to her
He's Abolish person." Rosa's
cheeks We're family flushed and her
color decpened at the amusement in
Esteban's eyes. 'IIe makes love
wretchedly."
What little l overheard wasn't bad"
Esteban declared; then he took
oIieilly's hand.
Esteban was handsome boy,
straight. slim aud manly. and his re-
semblance to Rosa was startling.
With look engaging in its frank di-
rectness he said: "Rosa told me about
your meetings here and l came to
apologize for our stepmother's discour-
tesy, I'm sorry we can't invite you
into our house, but-you understand? =?
iosn and 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 II please her to know that
I'm becoming Cubanized as fast as
ever l cam" ventured the caller.
"oh, she hates Cubnns. too !" laughed
the brother. shes Spanish, you know
Well, It's fortunate you didn't see ht<
today. Br-r! What a temper! She'll