The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-12-10
CHAPTER VIII

on the table anu IGIIONC0 Nh~ A@A~
lenses from his spectacles.
"I've been wasting my time be-
ing cautious" he said.
"Wasting-did you say?"
ST did. I'm afraid it's true"
He hesitated. He did not want to
offend the man who was supposed
to be his chief lieutenant. Never
theless
Don't you think, Gongaro," he
said, ''that perhaps you regard
women too highly?"
Diego Gongaro's face broke into
n warm smile. He raised his hands
and shoulders in an eloquent ges-
ture of amused denial.
"On the contrary, my friend. 1t
is you. I think women charming,
but-shall we say?-somewhat stu
pid. They are controlled by emo
ton, not by intelligence"
stBut the American girl" Taus-
sig said CURLY, "is not controlled
by any of you"
Anne finished the last Of the gold
en- slip of papaya in front OF her
and pushed back her cup and
saucer. She'd expected the coffee
to be wonderful, but it was fiat and
tasteless as the worst OF the COM
mon brews at home.
She picked up the pile of letters OF
Introduction she'd brought, and
looked them through for the dozenth
time. 1t was always question
whether the people they were adj
dressed to would think it iH-man-
nered if you didn't present them, or
be delighted not to have to do any
thing about the transient daughter
of friend of friend they'd proba-
bly, forgotten they had.
She finished dressing, took her let
tiers and started for the door. AS
she opened it bellboy came out of
the service stairway. He smiled at
her with an intent interest in his
eyes that she didn't understand.
''Senorita Haywood" he said.
'sDon Aware say you come down
right away"
It was so shockingly peremptory
that Anne felt a warm flush spring
ing to her cheeks. She was on the
point of saying he could tell Don
Aware Valera to go to blazes when
the boy said anxiously,
s'Efe say if you please, senorita.
I do not put in English the way he
said in Spanish"
Anne smiled. 'sOf course. Thank
you" It was just that sort of
difficulty in communication, she
thought, that accounted for lot Of
misunderstanding.
Don Aware rose from his seat
and bowed.
"You give an old man a great
deal of pleasure, senorita."
:. THANK you," Anne said. She sat
down, wondering. The waiter APP
parently wondered too; she noticed
that he almost stumbled into the
fountain when he saw her sitting
down.
81 have taken the liberty Of or
dering you the coffee from our finca
that they make for me here" Don
Aware said. "But perhaps you pre-.
fer American coffee. Most Of your
people do. 1t has very little appeal
for u.s."
stIt's wonderful" Anne said, sniff
ing the full rich aroma. It must
have been American coffee she'd had
for breakfast. She tasted it. s'It
is wonderful" she cried.
Don Aware looked pleased. ma
tional tastes differ, Of course" he
said.
81 know" Anne said quickly.
"And language and customs and
traditions"
He looked at her a little puzzled.
She smiled.
TIN just quoting your son."
Don Aware looked silently out
across the ocean for a moment.
Then he said gravely, 'Tm happy
that he remembers. was afraid he
had forgotten"
This is why he asked me
down." Anne thought. She felt her
heart tighten. It could only mean
!. She dismissed that quickly.
DON Aware was looking at her
with q kind of sadness and wisdom
that was disturbing in spite of the
sudden glow inside her.
DON Aware smiled family.
r wanted to ask you if you would
give us the pleasure of dining with
u1 in our home some evening soon,
Miss Haywood" he said.
THANK you'd love to-" Anne
1nid simply.
And my brother-in-law says you
wish to see a sugar mill" Don AL
varo said. would you care to 60
f0morrow7"
1T would be wonderful"
~ believe his friend Mr.. Taussig
= 20 80 along also-if that is agree
able 10 you"