The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-07-22
d
'IOR DRY
Carl bean Courtship
BY Beverley Bell

a Carl bbean Courtship
BY Beverley Bell
During the five days sail from
New5 York to Porto Rico the good
even keelSthat not one of the two
hundred passengers missed a meal
sin the dining salon.
Majorie RSaipard had spent
I'm ostsof her time with her aunt.
She was a good sailor: her
aunt a poor one. Which is anoth-
Fer way of saying that by the
third day out Marjorie was wish
ing fervently for some rougnish
yeather-the little rogue. The
5ast all, dark, handsome young Span
9siard who sat at the captains Ia
ssS;b1e,a and whose eyes were forever
ssmeeting hers, such a soulful look,
had not yet been introduced to
ssasher. She felt sure he would be
erSaunt were to leave her alone
s&onSt the deck for just one little half
ss hour.
AS the Santurce slowly steamed
up the ten mile harbor OF san
~ uan Passengers already to disem-
sSbark, baggage piled high on the
main deck, the tall Seaiuiard pas
;Ssed sMajorie and her aunt and he
fsIooked very intently at Marjorie.
At the same time a touch of red
came to her brown cheeks: his
SBaglng.
She was fascinated. She could
sgnotHseem to drop her own eyes.
The young mans companion
WAS an American.
H. - - CT
EJECT from Marjorie, she heard the
say 'A1varado, tonight
1--WE shall be eating some of your
superb grapefruit and oranges
What a fine rest am to have!
What wonderful air! And that
sunset across the Caribbean--l'Ye
never seen its equal.
49, III Yes replied Alvarado, I've
shall endeayor to give you good
ssHimeo-this in perfect English-
Sbut you will have to excuse me
Iuto San Juan There is a lady l
unjust meet And he turned de-
SSIibertly and looked at Marjorie.
3ss Somehow she understood that
she was the lady in question.
Her pretty bushes and confus-
Z ionEwere eightened not a little bS
1.-THE further remark of the Amerl-
#can. Why, you sly dog: And all
those four years at college we
sScouIdn't get you to look at girl:
:@sss So you have a fiancee here, en-?
TO which Alva-ado replied sim
GplyssN 10, this is an American lady
whom wanted to meet. and sinai
arrange to do so tomorrow. and
the tone indicated that he wished
sehe subjects dropped.
Next morning Vicente Alvarado
4presented himself, dressed in inn
smaculate flannels. at the desk or
( the Condado Motel He asked the
8cIerk to send his card to Mrs. VIII
liam Mortimer. On it was written
Sthe request that he might see her
flora m ON ent.
Ss::: Marjorie's aunt was in gracious
mood. She came down to the palm
Sd decorated lobby with the messens-
sslAlarado advanced to meet her.
ysNery briefly, in the essence OF
atne Spanish politeness, he statea
stfiat he sought an introduction 10
aheri niece. On shipboard there|was
mo one to vouch for MIN. Here. IL
This own country, she could satisfy
herself of his standing. Would she
please consult the American COVER
nor, the secretary of the house OF
sdelegates,, the resident manager or
sfhes great winter resort hotel, il
sshe wished |
with her permission,
tsaejwould call with his car tor nei
diece and herself and drive them
20 his fathers famous fruit farm
across the bay at Miramar.
e sMariorie's aunt was surprised,
and rather pleased.
This was not quite an American
prpceeding. but then, she was In
Satin country.
Next day sA1varado drove them to
the fruit farm. They We're delight
sed. They brought back great ma
tive baskets Of grapefruit. bananas
and oranges. y
AZ Marjorie and her aunt step
ped from the car Alvarado asked
4Marjorie to swim in the ocean with
him next day. inviting her aunt to
accompany them to the beach
Next morning at Marjorie's place
aNthe breakfast table was huge
SI1se OF pasmine and there were
Lies for her aunt.
Promptly at 10 Alvarado present.
ED himself.
SIS Marjorie pleaded disinclination
no swi mthat morning-would Sen
walk along the lovely
( beach and help her ever the rocks
s and upJt to the abandoned fortress
walls And with a sly look at her
aunt she said teasing!y. "Aunte.
dear. you can watch us all thu day.
Its only half mile. and you can
SSaa n early's lJfss