The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-12-17

Le0m0Fa Uuths
laugh.
..But YOU don't know me!
You've never heard me sins
what do you know shout my
talent" as they call it9 q =
weren't for that chatterbox q
Guido. Alcira would never dream
that am ) singer and that I'm
somewhat wen known exoept ~
my own country.
Rafael was crushed by the re.
ply; he did not dare protest.
"Come, Rafael." the woman
continued affectionately. don't Oe
) child and try to pass OF the
ffbs boys used to decisive mama
with. / know Why you came
here. DO you imagine yca haven't
been seen from this very balcony
towering about here every after-
noon, lurking in the road Ike
8 spy? You are discovered, sir.
The shy Rafael thought ne
balcony was .collapsing under.
meath his feet. He shook bis
head IN energetic denial.
80 It's not true. you fraud
she said, with comic indignation.
.sYou deny that since We nnet UP
st the Hermitage you have been
taking all your walks In this
neighborhood2 Dios milo! What
monster @ 1850 -. 80. J,
mere anu now DrsLzsl.ly rs .as -.
ANA haIael, vallt s.lsias ~ . m ~
frank merrlTnenL, naN AansAl1 "
smile, cOnfessing his crime Win
q loud laugh.
You're probably SURPRISED AZ
what 90 ana say, colLlnue1
Leonora drawing closer e nh, ,.s.
leaning sn0u aalalsL
with unailected csareiess les -: 81
e si1e We're Wltn AIissllu
I'm not like most women.
fine thing Il would pc Tor me,
with the Ire lead, lo piay lne
hypocrite! NY poor aunt Lplnks
IN crazy because say JUS
what feel; iI1 my time lve Deen
much liked ana mucn olsiAkeu on
account Of the mania nave Ior
not cOncealiHg anything 70 you
want to tell me the real trEunE
Very we'll you .ye come mere De-
cause you love me, or, ar least.
because YOU think you love me,
falling all boys Of your age
have as soon they flnd p woman
different from the others they
know.
Rafael bowed his neAd ana sald
nothing; he old not dare look up.
He felt the gaze OF those green
eyes upon the back Of his head
and they seemed to reach right
into his soul.
Lets see your face. Raise
that head Of yours q little. Why
don't you say It isn't so 81 you
did before? Am I right or nor
And supp0sing you are right?
Rafael ventured to murmIlr, find
ing himself thus suddenly dis
covered. #
Since know am, though
it best to provoke this expIana
ton, so as to avoid any mis-
understandings. After what has
happened tonight, want TO have
you TOR friend; friend you
understand, and nothing more;
comradeship based on gratitude
We ought to know in advance
exactly where we stand. Wen
be friends, won't we? You must
feel quite ct nome mere; AM I'm
sure shall find you very
agreeable cl1lnl. What you've
done tonight has given YOU
greater hold on my affection than
you could have gained in any
ordinary social way; but YOU re
going to promise me that you
won't drift into any of that silly
/ love making that has always been
T the baIle OF my existence.
And IL / can't help myself
murmured Rafael.
And If I cant help myself, !"
laughing and minicling the voice
Of the young man and the ex-
preston on his face And Il
can't help myself! That's what
thew all say! How can one take
seriously q love for q woman you
are now seeing for the second
time? These sudden passions are
ali inventions of you men. They're
not genuine. You get them out
Of the novels you read, or out Of
the oneras we sing. Nonsense
that noets write and calloW boys
swallow like SO many boobies and
trv to transplant into real life!
Ieonora paused and, threaten
ing him playfuIly with her fore
finger, added:
"Otherwise. YOU may consider
me lust as ungrateful and cruel
as YOU please. but your gallant
conduct Of tonight won't count.