The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-12-18

can you do for me? The river
doesn't flood every day. You
can't expect to be a hero every
other moment. No. I'm satisfied
with tonight's exploit. You can't
imagine how grateful am.
am fond of you-as people are
fond of friends. I am alone here:
the friendship Of b. good and noble
hoy like yourself, capable of sacri-
flee for a woman whom he hard
w knows, is a very comforting
thing to have besides, that much
doesn't compromise me. am q
bird Of passage, you see; I have
alighted here because I'm tired,
I'LL don't just know what's the
matter, but deeply broken in
spirit anyhow. Hneed rest, just
plain existence plunge into
sweet nothingness, where can
forget everything; and crate
fully accept your friendship.
Later on, when you least expect
ii, probably, I'll fly away. The
very first morning when wake
up, feel quite myself again and
hear inside my head the song OF
the mischievious bird that has
advised me to do so many foolish
things In my life-I'll pack up
my trunk and take tight III
drop YOU a line OF course; I'll
send you newspaper clippings that
sneak of me. and you'll see you
have a friend who does not for
yet YOU and who sends you
greetings from London. Saint
Petersburg, or New Yorh--any
one of the corners OF this world
which many believe so large yet
where am unable to stir with
out encounteEing things that bore
me"
May that moment be long de-
layed.'s said Rafael. May 1t
never GOMEZ
Rash boy.' Leonora exclaimed
You don't know me. # were
to stay here very long, we'd
finish by quarreling and coming
TO blows. At bottom nate men:
have always been their most
terrible enemy"
Through dense clouds the sky
was beginning TO shed a gray,
wan light, under which the vast,
watery plain took on the whitish
color of absinthe. In the distance
at the very end Of the lake, -
number Of black points couli be-
seen in regular rhythmic motion,
stirring their legs like aquatic
flies around some roofs barely
protruding above the immense
field of water. The rescuers had
arrived from Valencia
The provincial authorities would
soon be arriving in Alcira; and the
presence of Rafael was indis-
ypensable. Cupido himself, with
sudden gravity, advised him to go
and meet those boats.
While the barber was putting
on his own clothes. Rafael, with
intense regret, removed his fur
cloak. 1t seemed that in taking 1t
off he was losing the warmth of
that night Of sweet intimacy, the
contact of that soft shoulder that
had for hours long been leaning
against him.
Leonora meanwhile looked at
him fixedly.
I'VE understand each other,
don't WEI" she asked, slowly.
Friends, with no hope of any
thing more than that. IL you
break that pact, you'll not enter,
this place again, not even by
the second-story window, as you
did last night
Yes, friends and nothing more"
Rafael murmured with a tone OF
sincere sadness. that seemed to
move Leonora.
Her green eyes lighted up; her
pupils seemed to glitter with
spangIes of gold. She stepped
nearer and held out her hand.
You're a good boy; that's the
way / like you: resignation and
obedience. For this time, and
in reward for your good seIlSe,
we'll make just one exception.
Let's not part thus coldly. So
you may kiss meas they do it
on the stage here!
And she raised her hand up
toward his lips. Rafael seized 1t
hungrily and kissed it over and
over again, until Leonora. tear
ing it away with a violence that
showed extraordinary strength,
reprimanded him sharply.
You rogue. Up to mischief so
s.,oa! What an abuse Of conf
lie ace? Good-by, Cupido is call
ing YOU Good by!'
And she pushed him toward
to lJsdcony, where the barber
already holding the boat
/; ast the railing.
lop in. Rafael" said Cupido.
Ter lean on me: the waters
80 ns down and the boats very
low =
iiaIaeI jumped into his white
craft, which was now dirty and
stained from the red water. The
barber took the oars. They be-
gan to move away.
Good by. Good by! Many
thanksr' cried Dona Pepa. The
maid and the whole family Of the
gardener had come out on the
balcony.
Rafael let go the tiIler, and
turned toward the house. He
could see nothing. however, but
that proud beauty, who was way