Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-03-16

tering nature was Subdued. His eyes
were closed. and he did not open them
when Ricardo entered
swell, have SarrOs." the latter de-
clared.
Webster paid not the slightest atten-
ton to this announcement. Ricardo
beI over him. slack. old boy" he
queried. do you know person OF
feminine persuasion who calls you Ca
liph?"
John Stuart webster's eyes and
mouth flew wide open. "What the
devil" he tried TO roar. "You haven't
been speaking TO her. have you? IL
you have. I'll never forgive you. he
cause you've spoiled my little surprise
party"
'No. haven't been speaking 10 her,
but she's In the next room crying III
to break her heart because she thinks
you've been killed"
"YOu ScOundrel! Aren't you humanP
Go tell her it's only a couple OF pune
lures. not a blowout" He sighed.
isn't II sweet of her 10 weep over an
Oiu UuHkN IKE uit Ht NuuNh NNtAie'
BLESS her tender heart"
"whO is she7" Ricardo was very
curious
That's none OF your business. YOu
wait and TIL tell you. She's the guest
I told you was going TO bring To din
ner. and that's enough for you to know
for the present. vaya. you idiot. and
bring her I'm here. so can assure her
my head Is bloody but unbOwed. Doe
tor. throw that rug over my shanks
and make me look pretty I'm going
to receive company"
His glance. bent steadily on the door.
had I'm II some Of the alert. bright visit
fulness frequently to he ohssved in
the eyes OF a terrier standing expec-
family before n rat hole. The instant
the door opened and Dolores tear
stained face appeared. he called 10 her
with the old-tIme camaraderie. for he
| had erased from his mind. for the
nOnce. the memory Of the tragedy Of
poor Don Juan Cafetero and was con
cerned solely with the TASK Of Danish
ing the tears from those brown eyes
and bringing the JOY of life back to
that sweet face.
"Hello. Seeress." he called weakly.
little Johnny's been fighting again
and the bad boys gave him an ALFRED
walloping."
There was a swift rustic Of skirts
and she was bending over him. her hot
little palms clasping eagerly his pale
rough cheeks. "Oh. my dear. nay
dearw she whispered. and then her
voice choked with the happy tears and
she was sobblng on his wounded Shout
der. Ricardo stopped 10 draw her
away. hut John Stuart bent upon him
n look Of such frightfulness that he
| drew back abashed. After all. the past
81 hours had been quite exciting. and
/ Ricardo reflected that Johns inamora-
Ia was tired and frightened and prob
ably hadn't eaten anything all day
long, so there was ample excuse for
her hysteria.
"Come, come. buck up" Webster
soothed her. and helped himself to n
long Whit OF her fragrant hair. "Old
man Webster had one leg in the grave.
but they've pulled it out again"
Still she sobbed.
"Now, listen 10 me. lady" he com
mlrded with mock severity. you
just stop that. You're wasting your
sympathy: and while. OF course. ] en-
Joy your sympathy a heap. just pause
TO reflect on the result II those SIT
tears should happen TO drop into one
of my numerous wounds"
I'm so sorry for you. Ca"ph." she
murmured brokenly. you poor. harm
less boyl I don't see how any one
could be so fiendIsh as TO hurt you
when you were so distinctly a non-cVn-
| batant."
THANK You. Let us forget The
Hague conference for the present. how
ever. Have you met your brother?"
he whispered.
'No. Caliph."
Ricardo"
"Yes, Jack"
"COme here Rick. Won sch .',ning.
inscriptions. blOOd-thlrsty adventurer.
I have a tremendous surprise I'm store
for you. The sweetest girl In the world
and she's right here"
Ricardo laughlngly held up his hand.
"Jack. my friend" he interrupted
you're too weak 10 make a speech.
Don't do H. Besides. you do not have
to-" He turned and bowed gracefully
10 Dolores. 81 can see for myself she's
tho sweetest girl I'm the world, and that
she's right here" He held out his
hand 10 her. slack thinks he's going
to spring a surprise he continued ma
liciously. "quite forgetting that a good
soldier never permits himself TO be
taken by surprise. know all about
his little secret. because I heard you
mourning for him when you thought he
was dead" Ricardo favored her with
a knowing wink. II am delighted TO
meet the future Mrs. Webster. quite
understand why you fell In love with
him. because, you see, love him my
self and so does everybody else"
With fvpical Castilian courtlsneSS he