New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-05-25
ADRE Rafael had put IN a very
hard day in the native quar-
L. ter Of Manila, where an un-


L. ter Of Manila, where an I'm
expected recoil Of infiuenzs
had taken heavy toll, and the squalol
of it had tired him more than the work
Itself; almost involuntarily he turned
out of his long homeward course t.
q Chinese inn that had been set apart
from all other eating houses in Manila
by its air of age-old serenity and
beauty. And there. in little dragon
screened nook that looked out upon
the radiant evening world, he sank
down gratefully to rest while he waited
for his simple order.
But he was not to rest, this time
One look out of his window at man
who sprang from cab at the inn
entrance sent him to his feet forget
full of everything but the flash Of cor
rodlng passion the dark, tense face
had revealed. 1t was not friendship
alone that sent him hurrying past his
screen to greet the man he had not
seen for seven crowded years.
"Well, Novello, I am indeed happy
to see you once more, my FRIEND" he
exclaimed with paternal warmth. 81
had given up all hope of ever meet
ing you again. Are you perhaps home
to stay at last?"
"Why, it's Padre Rafael" Novello
cried, in the lonely tone of a friend
less man, with q smile that cleared
his very handsome face of rancor for
q relieving moment. $50, you, too,
are visiting Manila?'
81 was transferred from Zamboanra
TO Manila six years ago." the padre ex-
planned. "In the meanwhile have often
inquired about you, but have heard
nothing except that you had become
a world wanderer. Como, share nv
favorite nook, while you tell me how
life has used you all this while, do.'
Novello looked speculatively at his
watch before he accepted his friends
invitation. II am merely passing
through the city and my time is very
short" he said, "but we must GER
tainly have little talk about old
times. You don't mind If l smoke, do
you 2"
He had, after all, little to say, so
1t fell to the padre to talk, while he
smoked and thought Of what had
brought him back to the Philippines
from his world wanderings. The two
men presented q most striking con-
trast. The padre, toflworn and sun
scorched and neatly threadbare, bore
the simple benignity of his unselfsh
calling. Novello, who had inherited
a strain Of fine Malay blood through
the strange marriage of an adventur-
Gus ancestor. had a steely, fine drawn
beauty that always attracted immedi-
ate attention, along with the air of
having lived intensely. The padre
thought it was his barbaric blood that
had driven Novello out of the Chris
tian fold after his girl bride had died
within year of their idyllic marriage
but he had not permitted the apostasy
to drive Novello out of his heart; in
fact, it had given him deeper hold
on the older mans affections.
You are in trouble Of some kind
my SOM" the padre presently asked
with fatherly concern.
But no." Novello instantly denied
with hard, brilliant smile. "I am
merely little travel worn, having
come from Malacca by a most arduous
route. The war has played the very
devil with sea traffic, you know"
$50 you have been in Malacca again
What is there about Malaysia that at.
tracts you so7"
ut Is not the country so much as the
call OF my pirate blood" Novelle
laughed with touch of his old dashine
charm For far from regretting hi,
Asiatic strain he had always taken ad.
venturous pride in Il.
What Of the call OF love9 hive
forgotten Ferose7"
Novelties dark face famed with
bitter color, but he made no answer
Tor at that moment he caught glimpse
OF a newcomer whose casual manne,
indicated that ne had strayed into the
inn by pure chanca Af+a~ o,o IT,.