The Little River news., 1920-08-25


 a cottontail rabbit. Being very hu- man young lady, however, she could not help wondering what had become of the ubiquitous MT. Webster, al- though the fact that he had mysterl- ously disappeared from the train en route to New Orleans did not perturb her one-half so much as it had the dis appearee. She had this advantage over that unfortunate man. Whereas he did not know she was bound for Buenaventura, she knew he was; hence, upon arrival in New Orleans she dismissed him from her thoughts, serene in abiding faith that sooner or later her knight would appear, like little Bo-Peep's lost sheep, dragging his tail behind him, so to speak.
 Dolores spent week in New or leans renewing schoolgirl friendships from her convent days in the quaint old town. This StOp-over, together with the one in Denver, not having been taken into consideration by MT. William Geary when he and Mother Jenks commenced to speculate upon the approximate date of her arrival ln Buena ;entura, resulted in the prema- tnre flight of Mother Jenks to San Miguel de Padua, fruitleSs visit on the part of Billy aboard the Cacique, of the United Fruit company's line, followed by a hurry call to Mother .hpks to return to Buenaventura until the arrival of the next steamer.
 This time Billy's calculations proved correct, for Dolores did arrive on that steamer. The port doctor came aboard, partook of his customary drink with the captain, received bundle of the latest American news papers and magazines, nosed around, asked few perfunctory questions. and gave the vessel pratique.
 Dolores observed a gasoline launch shoot up to the landing at the foot of the companion-ladder and discharge well-dressed, youthful white man. As he came up the companion, the purser recognized him.
 "Howdy, Bill" he called.
 "Hello, yourself" MT. William Geary replied, and Dolores knew him for an American. "Do you happen to have as a passenger this trip large, interesting person. by name John Stu art Webster?" added Billy Geary.
 "I don't know, Billy. I'll look over the passenger list" and together they moved off toward his office. Dolores followed, drawn by the mention of that magic name Webster, and paused in front of the purser's office to lean over the rail, ostensibly to watch the cargadores in their lighters clustering around the great ship. but in reality to learn more of the mysterious Web- ster.
 "Blast the luck" Billy Geary growled, "the old sinner isn't here. By the way, do you happen to have Miss Dolores Ruey aboardT
 Dolores pricked up her little ears What possible interest could this stranger have in her goings or com- ings?
 "You picked a winner this time, Bill" she heard the purser say. "Stateroom sixteen, boat-deck, star board side. You'll probably find her there packing to go ashore"
 'Thanks." Billy replied and stepped out of the purser's office. Dolores turned and faced him.
 "1 am Miss Ruey." she announced. "I heard you asking for me-" Her eyes carried the query she had not put into words: "Who are you, and what do you want?" Billy saw and under stood. and on the instant a wave of desolatiOn surged over him.
 So this was the vision he had volun- teered to meet aboard La Estrellita, and by spacious lie and hypocritic mien, turn her back from the portals of Buenaventura to that dear old United States. which, Billy suddenly recalled with poignant pain, is siz- able country fin which young lady may very readily be lost forever. With the quick eye of youth, he noted that Dolores was perfectly wonderful in white flannel skirt and jacket, white buck boots, white panama hat with a gorgeous puggaree, mannish little linen collar, and red fOur-in-hand tie. From under that white hat peeped profnslon of crinkly brown hair with a slightly reddish tinge to it; her eyes were big and brown and wide apart. with golden flecks In them; their glance met Billy's hungry gaze simply, directly. and with curiosity there was no attempt to hide. Her nose was patrician; her beautiful short up per lip revealed the tips of two per feet mIk-white front teeth: she was. Billy Geary told himself, goddess before whom all low. worthless. ornery fellows like himself should grovel and die happy. if perchance she might be so minded us to walk on their faces He was aroused from his critical in ventory when the houri spoke again:
 You haven't answered my question, sir T!
 "No." said Billy. 1 didn't. Stupid of me. too. However, come to think nf if vor didn't ocl, mo oDV uuaStiOD