Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-02-11

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tering nature was subdued. His eyes
We're closed. and he did not open them
when Ricardo entered
"Wel, have Sarros" the latter de-
clared
Webster paid not the slightest atten-
ton to this announcement. Ricardo
bent over him. "Jack, old boy" he
quered, "do you know person OF
feminine persuasion who calls you Ca
liph7"
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? II
you have, I'll never forgive you, be-
cause you've spoiled my little surprise
party"
mo, haven't been speaking to her,
but she's In the next room crying nj
to break her heart because she thinks
you've been killed.
"You scoundrel Aren't you human?
Go tell her It's only couple of pune
lures not blowout He sighed.
"Isn't II sweet of her to weep over an
old hunks like me-" he added softly.
BLESS her tender heart !"
"Who is she?' Ricardo was very
curious.
THAT'S none of your business. You
wait and I'll tell you. She's the guest
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 In here. so can assure her
my head Is bloody but unbowed. Doc
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 In It some of the alert, bright visit
fulness frequently to be observed In
the eyes Of terrier standing expec-
family before rat hole. The Instant
the door opened and Dolores tear
stained face appeared, he called to her
with the old-tIme camaraderie, for he
had erased from his mind, for the
nonce, the memory of the tragedy OF
moor 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
wallopng."
There was swift rustic Of skirts,
and she was bending over him, her hot
little palms clasplng eagerly his pale
rough cheeks "Oh, my dear, my
dear" she whispered, and then her
voice choked with the happy tears and
she was sobbing on his wounded shout.
der. Ricardo stopped to draw her
away. but John Stuart bent upon him
look of such frlghtfulness that he
drew back abashed. After all, the past
"a 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 hysterla.
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 to me, lady he com
manded with mock severity. "You
just stop that. You're wasting your
sympathy and while, of course, | en-
joy your sympathy heap, just pause
to reflect on the result II those salt
tears should happen to drop into one
of my numerous wounds"
I'm so sorry for you. Caliph," she
murmured brokenly. you poor harm
less boy | don't see how any one
could be so fendlsh as TO hurt you
when you were so distinctly non-com-
Blatant"
THANK you. Let us forget The
Hague conference for the present, how
ever. Have you met your brother?'
he whispered.
mo, Callph."
Ricardo"
"Yes, Jack"
"Come here Rick, you scheming.
INSCRIPTIONS, blood-thlrsty adventurer,
| have tremendous surprise In store
for you. The sweetest girl in the world
and she's right here"
Ricardo laughingly held up his hand.
Jack. my friend" he interrupted,
you're too weak to make a speech.
Don't do It. Besides, you do not have
to-" He turned and bowed gracefully
TO Dolores. ~ can see for myself she's
the sweetest girl in the world, and that
she's right here" He held out his
hand to her. Jack thinks he's going
to spring n surprise he continued ma
liclously, quite forgetting that a good
soldier never permits himself 10 be
taken by surprise. ] know all about
his little secret, because heard you
mourning for him when you thought he
was dead" Ricardo favored her with
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 TYPICAL Castilan courtliness he
took her hand, bowed low over 1t, and
kissed 1t. 81 am Ricardo Lulz Ruey,''
he said, anxious to spare his friend the
task of further eXhausting conversa-
ton. "And you are"
you're consummate jackass =
groaned Webster. "Im only dear old
family friend, and Dolores is going to
marry Billy Geary. You impetuous
idiot, She's your own sister, Dolores
Rucy. She, Mark Twain, ana | have