Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-01-03

y
forted. Dine now, then tell me what
you may. We will find way out of
fthe difficulty, even should your friends
not arrive before you have finished
your meal. May order wine?"
"yes, please; a claret."
While she ate she was specializing
on how much and how little she might
tell me. l attempted to make conver-
sation, but her thoughts were far
away from what | was saying, nor
could find topic of interest. was
not to have her complete confidence,
that could plainly see, but under her
long eyelashes she studied me.
Hers was not face for conceal
ment of emotion OF 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" said when coffee had
been brought. II am not inquisitive."
She smiled gravelv at may not
seem much, but / will keep back only
the things that are not mine to tell.
There was to be wedding tonight.
Ny dearest friend-almost my sister
was to marry, and l came alone
from my home to be with her. She.
with her uncle, was to meet me here,
and 1t was they l expected"
"You know where and when the
wedding was TO take place?"
She nodded. AT eleven" she an
swered, and at the Greek church;
but whether there is more than one,
or which it would be, that | do not
know"
r'There is but one" 1 said, glanc-
ing at my watch. I'VE will go there
later"
"Thank you. / cannot believe she
could forget me here, SO must think
something has happened to her plans.
1 know she arrived in the city yester-
day."
"She does not live here then?"
mo, although her uncle does"
"And the man whom she marries?"
"No, indeed. He was to meet her
here yesterday. Something may have
prevented his arrival, but surely she
would have come tonight. I cannot
understand"
Neither could /, for it seemed bar
barous to leave this poor girl helpless
in strange city; but l did not tell
her so. / made light of the desertion,
finding excuses for their absence, and
l wondered who these people might
be who would marry in the Orthodc-.
Eastern Church.
Cosmopolitan as is San F. .i-l3C,
the Church of the Eastern Cat o''..sm
has small following, and -.,ue
known to most of the city's popula-
ton. At the end of little park In
the north side, surrounded by stone
walls, it rears it's domes and minarets
to the sky, and few Americans ever
pass its iron-barred gateway.
1--WE will be there at eleven" /
promised her, "and if your friends
come l shall place you in their care.
II not, / will secure room for yoa
in hotel where you will be safe aud
comfortable. Undoubtedly you Will
hear from them tomorrow If you do
not find them tonight"
"Yes," she said. Il can learn of her
tomorrow" 1t gave her confidence,
80 / ventured question which was
on my mind:
"You say your friend arrived here
yesterday. You have heard from her
then?"
mo, have received no word"
"How, then, do you know that she is
here?"
She flushed, shook her head, then
smiled bravely. again / must be
mysterious" she answered. 81 may
only repeat that do know. She came
yesterday"
could not insist. "Is this your
first visit to San Francisco" l ques-
ioned, to change the subject.
"My first visit to your United
States" she replied. Europe / know
fairly and parts of South America,
but nothing at all Of these northern
States"
ut is too bad that your first impress
sion should be spoiled by missing your
friends"
Eyes, It is unfortunate; but / have
learned through it that your Ameri-
cans are courteous and very kind"
She smiled at me, and it made my
forty-year old heart miss beat or
two. 1t was seldom that had oppOr-
tunity to sit opposite young lady
of her beauty and graciousness, re-
ceiving unearned compliments for my
self and my country.
For all of two hours more tried to
make myself agreeable, telling her of
San Francisco which / knew SO tho
roughly through the tired eyes of a
newspaper man. 1t is an interesting
city, whose romantic history comes
more closely against the present than
most American places, and had
grown up with it, II / interpolated
too much of myself into my tale, she
youa M auilappa nf lack~nf iufat.aof