The Washington times., 1925-12-16

an opportunity to renew their
conversation.
On finding herself once more
in the presence Of that won
derful panorama, where IN the
eve ran lnobstructed to the very
limit of the horizons the charm
ing creature seemed to breathe
more freely.
aDios Miop' she exclaimed, as
il speaking to herself. How sad
and how wonderful! This view
Is ever so beautiful But that
Wofnani That poor woman!
sShe's been that way for years,
to my personal knowledge, RIA
faef remarked, pretending to have
known the. invalid for long
time, though he had scarcely ever
aeigned to notice her before. Our
peasants are queer people. They
despise doctors. and refuse their
help. preferring to kin themselves
with these barbarous prayers and
devotions. which they expect viii
do them good.
'.But they may be right, after
ail!'s the lady replied. Disease
is often incurable, and science
/ cam DO, for 1t about as much as
faith sometimes, even less.
But here we are Laughing and
enjoying ourselves while suffer
ing passes US by, rubs elbows
with Us even, without our
noticingr'
The stranger was silent for a
time, her gaze fixed upon the
horizon. Then around her at
tractive sensuous lips, through
which two rows of shining. daz-
zling teeth were cleaning, the
suggestion of a smile began TO
: play, a smile OF joy at the land
scape. Il
How beautiful this all is!'' she
exclaimed, without turning to-
ward her companion. How
have longed to see it again.!
At last the opportunity had
come to ask the question he had
been so eager to put: and she
Z herself had offered the eppor-
tunity!
"Do you come from here?" he
asked, in a tremulous voice. fear
Z ing lest his iI1quisitiveness be
scornfuliy repealed.
YES" the lady replied, CURLY.
well, that's strange. l have
never seen you.
There's nothing strange about
that. l arrived only yesterday"
Just as j said! -. I know
everyone in the city. My name
is Rafael Brull. I'm the son Of
Don Ramon, who was mayor of
Alcira many times"
Wanted to Tell
At last he had let it out! The
poor fellow had been dying to
reveal his name, tell who he was.
pronounce that magic, word so
influential in the District, certain
1t would be the open Sesame"
to that wonderful strangers
gracei After that, perhaps, she
would tell him who she was! But
the lady commented on his decla-
ration with an "Ahp' of cold in
difference. She did not show
that his name was even known
to her, though she did sweep
him with a rapid, scrutinizing,
,half-mocking glance.
And are you thinking OF re-
naming in Alcira very long? -
Rafael thought the ground was
giving way beneath his feet. An
other glance from those green
eyes! But, alas, this time it was
cold and menacing, a Iivid flash
Of lightning refracted from q
mirror of ice.
81 don't know :" she an.
swered, with a deliberateness in
tended to accentuate unmistakablc
scorn. 81 usually leave places
the moment they begin to bore
me-" And looking Rafael square
ly In the face she added, with
freezing formality. after a pause:
Good afternoon. sir"
Rafael was crushed. He saw
her turn toward the doorway and
call her maid. Every step of
hers, every movement of her
proud figure, seemed to raise a
barrier in front Of him. He saw
her bend affectionately over the
sick orchard-woman, open a little
pink bag that her maid handed
her, and, rummaging about
among some sparkling trinkets
and embroidered handkerchief.
draw out a hand filled with shin
ing silver coins. She emptied
the money into the apron of the
astontshed peasant girl, gave
something as well to the recluse.
who was no less astounded. and
then, opening her red parasoi,
walked off, followed by her maid.
AS she passed Rafael, she an
swered the doffing of his hat with
barely perceptibIe inclination
of her head; and. without look.
ing at him, started on her way
down the stony mountain path.
The young man stood gazing
after her through the pines and
the expresses, as her proud ath.
letic figure grew smaller in the
distance.
Rafael noticed finally, that the
recluse was approaching, unable
to restrain q desire to communi-
cate his admiration to someone.
What a woman!" the man