San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-12-13
CHAPTER 81

Sandy half covered her face in the
blue hydrangeas that went in a gar
land from her neck to her knees-hy-
drangeas and pink roses. She was coy
cred with flowers. Their perfume
thrilled yet saddened her. She said.
with a wistful gladness How could
you get away, Ramon"
Il could have left two weeks ago,
Sandy"
Il wonder how you got passage. ="
I'm here"
She smiled. So he added. "You
know I'm here because you are, don't
you?"
Il begin to have a faint suspicion
of it."
Someone was singing aloha. y"
Throwing flowers at departing
guest. Laughter and the streaming
fragrant sunshine. Passengers so bril-
liant with the tropic blossoms hang
ing from their shoulders. The fare
well song was taken up by hundred
throats-the sweet, haunting tender
ness of the melody tossed from boat to
shore.
She sang with all her heart. wish
ing so greatly TO weep. The summers
interlude was over.
Then he took the loveliest Of the
leis and wreathed them about her
arms.
The boat moving - the islands of
peace and enchantment drifting back
ward to the tranquil sky.
Io1I-aI or tho fIvip1 ffahaQ
making gaudy splashes Of color for
swift moments above the water .. :.
down again to the deep sapphire
sea.
"Did you ever see water so thrill
ingly blue?"
"At Carmel. sometimes. Have you
ever been there. Sandy"
"No."
Then you shall come and pay me a
visit"
Il thought you lived in San Fran
cisco:"
Il Dr.. But I've a little place off
Monterey perched on a rock above the
finest bit Of ocean in the world. I'd
like to show you the place, Sandy.
When you get home. perhaps you
might take trip up to see me?"
Il don't know exactly what I'm
going to do when / get home"
you're not glad to be going home.
are your" He glanced at her with
laughing eyes, winning and sober. He
wore white nannels, and with q lei
of flaming blossoms about his neck
he looked summary and athletic and
festive.
Moments passed. She didn't an
swer. Finally she raised her eyes
to his. mo, I'm not glad to
be going home"
Instantly her cheeks were scarlet.
"Oh, j think III 90 and see that
Isabella is comfortable
She felt unnerYed and childish and
half smothered with her emotions.
His words made graphic her return.
Mrs. Mcneil was sitting in her
berth. Flowers were scattered on the
floor, their bright petals crushed.
Its so warm, Sandy. Well. it'll be
nice TO see them all again. / suppose
Ben will bring the car up to take
us back. Do you suppose Alice will
be with him? The trip would do her
good. Poor girl. She doesn't get
much pleasure in life. does she? How
she would have enjoyed the islands -
Mrs. Mcneil was very glib in alb
sorbing phrases that struck her as
sounding aristocratic. She now sigh
ed. II thought, Sandy. that if Alice
is along, you might introduce her to
that nice young man. What's this
his name is: Mr.. Work."
Sandy laughed: Worth, mother.
So you think Alice might catch
him."
We'll, why not? I'm sure Alice
would make a fine wife for any man.
Shed soon lose her sOurness if she got
a nice. kind husband
This was one Of Mrs. McNeirs pet
obsessions. She never gave up the
idea that Alice would yet find her
mate and settle down as every woman
should. Every eligible man that came
to her acquaintance was Immediately
appraised as a possible husband for
the unclaimed Alice.
She would say: IF she'd only learn
a little tact. Sandy, wish you'd sus