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

with lowered head. WAS following
the movements OF her hands,
busily engaged on some eFla-
broidery. Rafael found Laon0ra
much changed after his nonthsof
absence
I've become q regular peas
ant, haven't II" she said. us IL
she could read in RafaeI,s eyes
his Acknowledgement at the Eransfor-
smation she had undergone. IT'S
life in the open that works such
miracles; today one friIl, tomorrow
another, and q woman eventually
gets rid Of everything that was
once a part OF her body alnlos.
feel better this way--wolIld you
believe it? I've actually deserted
my dressing table and Ehe per-
fumes used lies all forsahen and
forlorn.
Rafael was going to say-and
quite serious, too-that he thought
her more beautiful than ever.
Now don't say you like me
better this way. What nonsense!
Remember, you come from Madrid,
from real elegance. world you
did not know beforei But, 10
tell the truth, like this Sim
tsAA@ANy - s4AOkAAl4AS GALEtQEQlIAEK
happens and the devil doesn's give
an unexpected tug at my sleeve,
Z can conceive Of staying on here
forever
That's right, do stay said
Rafael You can't imagine how
worried up In Madrid wondering
whether or not I'd find you here
on my return. Z
Don't so telling fibs,' said
Leonora, gently. smiling with
Just 9 suggestion OF gratifica-
ton. Do you think we haven't
been following your doings IN
Madrid2 Don't imagine, the
actress continued, that I forgot
You during hll this time. am q
real friend, you see, and take an
interest! I learned through Gu
pido, who ferrets out everything,
Just what you were doing in
Madrid +, too, figured among
! your admirers. When you made
your speech on that matter or
flood protection I sent for the
paper and read fileA story through
many times. believing blintiIy
everything said In praise Of you.
took the exaggerat9Ons YOUR
party friends printed about you
quite seriously for some DAYS.
putting you on level with all
the solemn tOp-notchers I have
known. And, why, do you sup
pose? 1t is impossible to- live IN
this region without being sub
Ject Of the BruIIs! Can I be
falling in love with you I'M
awares2"
And once more she laughed the
gleeful, candid, hooking laugh IL
{ other days.
stranger things than that have
happened, Rafael snapped boldly,
and initiating her sarcastic smile.
It's humanity conceivable. III
never fan in love with you. And
even Il should, she continued
IN gentle, almost mothering
tone, you would never know
about It. All afternoon have
been trying to evade this ex-
PLANTATION. 4 have brought up 3
thousand subjects, all To keep the
talk off love. But with you that's
impossible; you always come back
to that sooner or later. But Ill
never love you--I must not love
you"
She laughed hysterically, al
most, but with an undertone that
hurt Rafael deeply There was d
ring OF sarcasm, Of unspeakabte
scorn in tt, which reminded the
young man of Mephisto's mirth
during his Internal serenade to
Marguerite.
Moreover" continued Meonora,
recovering her composure, '.you
don't seem to realize just how 7
stand in this community. Don't
imagine what's said about me
in town escapes me. just
have to notice the way the women
look at me the few times 20 in
there. I am going to ask you
not to visit me any more. I will
Z always be your friend: but IL we
sop seeing each other 1t viii be
to the advantage Of us both.
That was q painful thrust for
Rafael. So she knew. But to
escape from what he felt 20 be a
ridiculous position, he affected
an air OF independence.
Besides, Rafaelito, you haven't
had q good look at me. Why,
I'm almost an old womani Oh, i
know it, / know 1t. You don't
have to tell me. You and / are
man, and I'm g. woman. And the
way I've lived has added con
sfderably to my years. You are
still on the very threshold Of
life. I've been knocking about
the world since / was sixteen,
from one theater to another. I
have many enemies in this world
who are just gloating, / am sure,
because have suddenly disap-
peared.''
And she gave sharp snap with
her pink fingers.
I am telling you everything,
you see, she continued. During
your long absence / thought of
you often. Somehow I want you
to know .ms thoroughly, once and
for all. I feel as though I must
tell everything. There's a little
demon inside me here urging me.
compelling me, to unveil all my
past.
Please feel quite free to do so.
To be a confessor even, 10 de-
serve your confidence, is some,
progress for me, at any rate"
Progress? But why should
you care to progress into
my heart! My heart is only an
empty SHELF Do you think you'd
be getting much If you, got me?
Don't laugh, please! I mean 1t!
Absolutely worthless, Here in
this solitude I have been able to
study myself at leisure, see my
self as / really am. / recognize
1t plain as day: I am nothing,
nothing. Good looking? Well,
yes; / confess am not what