The Washington times., 1938-03-10

and SAID, EStoDan! EStoDan
ing the players when suddenly he
emerged from the melee, riding
hard on the ball. The flying figure
had capture her eyes. She
watched, fascinated, the ease with
which he sat his horse, caught the
griu of his loins to the saddle, felt
the play of his shoulder muscles
as he swung his mallet. And de-
termined to marry him. The pro-
posal had been hers. 1t had been
cold, although she was burning
fiercely with the last flare of the
flame before it dies.
MARRY ME, MADAM"
'T am a lonely woman. I need
love and companionShip. I could
care for you, EStoban."
There was a softneSS in his eyes
then that she knew now had been
pity.
"I know loneliness" he said. Il
could be happy to take it away
from one. Will you marry me,
Madam?"
"Yes. There will be marriage
settlement, of course. What do
you consider adequate under the
circumstances"
II shall leave that to YOU,
Madam. May I kiss you?" And
when he had kissed her-"You will
understand, Madam, that I do not
guarantee you love? Only affec-
ton and a determination never to
break our contract. I shall always
below do you say it-faithful."
And so he had. And now she
must let him go, even though
parting from him might kill her.
There were worse things than
death. Again there was a knock
upon the door and when she bade,
Come" Caress, her granddaugh-
ter, stood before her. Dark, vital,
fire in her young blue eyes, as
there had been in Titia's when
she was her age.
"Estoban? Where IS Estoban,
Granny?" she demanded
"I don't know, child" Titia told
her. "He was here moment ago.
I imagine he has gone to the
tables" Caress whirled and ran
toward the door. "Caress" Caress
stopped and turned slowly. Ca
ress," her old eyes were tender,
"are you happy about your COM
ing-out party? 1t should be very
successful"
II don't give a damn about my
party" Caress told her simply.
NOT A CHILD
"Caress!" Titia said. But Caress
was gone.
Estoban was examining an old
bride in the tack room. He looked
up at the sound of a small hard
football and turned to see Caress
standing in the doorway
Good morning, child" He
bowed. What is this I hear of
your new interest in the polo
ponies? Polo is not for women. :"
Il know" CaresS said. II am
not interested in the polo ponies.
And don't call me Child I am
not a child! Estoban, you know
why I am here. Why didn't you
meet me last night? You said
you would. I waited for you in
the station wagon until $50.
Where were you?"
Estoban sighed.
"Caress," he smiled, "do you
forget who I am? am Estoban
D'Artiga. I am not as old as I
might be. Yet. I am old enough
to be your grandfather. Because
that is what am. Your grand
father"
Titia stopped just outside the
tack-room and listened.
You're not!" Caress cried.
"You are a young man! Estoban,
love you! You love me! Why
can't we have each other?"
Caress' arms flew out and
around him. Clinging closely to
him, she kissed him on the mouth.
His arms went limp, then
strengthened. They went out
and plucked her from him and
held her away.
"You are a little fool" he
snarled. And how could I love
a fool? Don't you realize am
your grandmother's husband? Get
out of here!"
Caress did not see Titia as she
ran blindly past her. But Estoban
did as he stepped out Of the tack
room to watch her go.
Madam" he said gravely, II
understand now why you want
the divorce. 1t will be at your
| convenience"