New Britain herald., 1923-05-09

he Weula he coming hack tie wanted to tell her SO; to ask her 10 care for him, and la vat until he came back To his credit, he vas net well eHr RsFisHssd iR the ways Of love, The medssiN af the man sas his hest virtue, So he Pretsndsa not 10 nRr dsFstaRd, t0 he suFRFisedi when it vas Cnly Reeause he could not believe that happiness, such as having her meant, was to he his, Mercedes was So close so lovely, She seemed so vel poised, s0 at ease, that his own confusion was ohly magnihed hs conn narisaR, His hahitnal and often tested eOmposure had deserted him in his hauF Of need, Rlaze was truly miserable, and in an evident attempt to stem his own feelings, he reseFled to the hanteFiRg tone that had served him so well in his manrworld,
 "And what will find when l do come haeks" He tried to laugh saad-natnFedly, Mercedes bowed her head, Rlaze put a hand on each of her shoulders, "I'll ask Kent, or somebody, how Mercedes is, and they'll say. 'Humnh! She's a bis lady now. She's got new name' Maybe it will he tgarde, or RodFl' guez, or Tiatard! Yes, sir That's what they'll say, I'll look at my old gran hair--hew time fies' Rnt m find you, And there you'll hes great lady with three or four black haired kiddies of your own"
 Mercedes shook her head, Her eyes were misty. but she smiled.
 No" she murmured, T don't think so; not those kids"
 This was the Mercedes of old.
 "Yes. you will" Rlaze grinned "rhe right man will come along auerida. You look sharp so that he don't get by"
 Huh" she muttered. 'T look sharp. all right. But he don't"
 "He'"
 "si! That right man. He's SC blind like n hat. But maybe he don't want to see Basque girl. Still if he comes back--wi,h his gray hairs--fll he here. Arra.eada. That's a good rame. I'll keep it." She forced n tantalizing smile 10 her face as she went on: You won't have to waste no time then when you come
 once before, In that very patio, they had looked Into each others eyes as they did now. Blaze saw there what he should have seen long ago.
 "oh. auerida," he breathed.
 Whatever else he intended to say was smothered in Mercedes hair. He caught her up in his arms and held her to him. There was color Tn nei face again: her lips red for his Kisses.
 "I'll be coming back" she heard him say.
 From a distance. it seemed. came her low, wild, tomboy laugh. He vas waited in spirit again to that un' 1 lforgetable day on the river. she was speaking. and even her voice was reminiscent of that afternoon.
 II guess maybe" she managed tc say. with defiant little toss Of he' head. Mercedes will have those three four black haired kids anyhow, hun
 Minutes passed as they sat there without speaking. The shadows ne. gan their evening tryst Peace and happiness settled down upon the patio. u-,.,
 In room above, some one lighted a lamp. Its mellow glow reached the man and girl on the steps. Ills arm held her closer for a second and ther re,aped. Mercedes laughed liauidly From it's accustomed place she caugh' up her guitar and crooned plaintlv' little Spanish love-song in a voice fo' Blaze's ears alone: .:
 If the stars in the sky far above you Have brought you, beloved, to me-
 If, in their wisdom, they've choser
 you, How then can ] help loving thee How, then can I help loving the
 "La-la-la-la, la, la-la-la- tnroooeo the guitar. Blaze closed his eyes This was the end of the trail! Llrs began anew here.
 A tear stole down Mercedes cheeK Happiness had overwhelmed ner The morrow no longer threateneo che was ready for the dawn.
 THE END.
 Cooking is made up of successes anc