The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-12-17
CHAPTER TX

Anne slipped the cool frosted dali
quiri subtly blended with almond and
rum that the waiter had put in front
Of them as soon as they sat down.
Miguel" she said suddenly.
"-How strong is the Falange
here?"
He glanced at her calmly.
cts been disbanded. Why do you
ask?"
81 was just wondering. Was your
father a member of it,"
Most Of the Spanish people here
WERE"
"were your"
''I'm not Spanish-I'm Puerto Ri
can," he said with smile. what
would you like to eat? You'd better
get used to Spanish food gradually.
What about some chicken soup and
an omelette? I don't want you to
have stomach ache-or to get fat"
Anne could not tell when she first
became, aware of the woman in the
black dress on the other side Of the
street.
She was standing in front Of shop
window, looking at them through the
open arcade. Her eyes met Anne's
now, and held them so intently that
there was no possibility Of being I'M
aware Of her any longer. 1t was
not hostile interest exactly, but it
was not friendly in any sense. And
most Of the glances she'd met on
the street had been very friendly
indeed-heart-warmingly so, as a
matter of fact.
"The people of Puerto Rico are
extremely loyal to the United
States" Miguel was saying. "Inde-
pendence isn't a burning issue, not
now. Statehood, or some kind of do
minions status"
Miguel" She interrupted him
abruptly. WHO is that girl across
the street,"
She realized at the same time
that she didn't want to know, and
that it was too late. He was turning
around. Her heart died slowly. Why
couldn't she have been woman of
the world? Or Latin
Pete Wilcox sat in the Office of
the Assistant Chief of Staff, G 2, at
the General Headquarters of the
Puerto Rican Department. He won
dered what the shades Of the cowled
monks who had read their breviaries
and told their beads along the cool
interior galleries would think if they
knew. It didn't look much like
monastery now, with the clerical
force trooping out and the staff off,
GERS and uniformed soldiers closing
up for the day. He looked at the
clock. He was waiting for Colonel
Fletcher to get back from a meet
ing with the local representative Of
the F. B. I.
He hadn't talked to Anne all day.
She was out the three times he'd
called. The message in front of him,
that she'd meet him at the Granada
at seven, was cold comfort, but it
was comfort all the same. He
couldn't get her out of his head.
He Lit cigarette and opened the
paper folder stamped SECRET"
There were two new items to 60
in it. One was brought In at
noon by taxi-driver, the other lat
er by a ragged urchin who sold
papers and lottery tickets. The
whole thing was a good collection
for, less than three days, Pete
thought grimly. II it weren't for
Anne. Her face was there in. the
folder, looking up at him, wide-eyed
and wilful and very precious.
''I'm going bats" he thought. He
picked up the two sheets of cheap
tablet paper. He was sick of all the
spying ferrets, sinking around, re-
porting every move people made.
Pete Lit cigarette. He heard Colo
mel Fletcher's quick firm tread COM
ing along the gallery. He put the
cigarette down and started to get
up.
.sSit down." Colonel Fletcher said.
Cor bring that stun and come in
my Office"
He hung uy As sun helmet and
out his swagger stick on the chair.
>sWhat about q couple Of weeks
3eave, while Miss Haywood Is here,
W1lcox?" he said. He sat down
at his desk and looked up pleasant
". There are plenty Of N to
carry on
Tor an instant Pete's face bright
ened as II he were six and had
been given q toy plane that Jew.
phen he shook his head.
HThanEs q lot, sir. I'd rather wait
slII Later, II it's all right with you"
Just offhand he couldn't remem-
Der when he'd made decision 90
totally opposed to his own best In
tcrests. II it hadn't been for the
folder Ia his hand he wouldn't have
made II. r. he went on leave he
would be out Of touch with what
was going on. II he stayed on the
job. maybe he'd be able to soften
the bl0W-keep her. rnaybe, from