Arkansas State press., 1944-04-21
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going over to the table. But il
wasn't. 1t was Graeiela Gongaro.
Her voice over the phone was high
pitched, so that it was difficult to
understand her English, which was
much less fluent than her fathers or
Don Alvaro's even. Finally Anne
made it out. Don Alvaro and Mig
uel had found, before they left, that
they wouldn't be able to get back,
perhaps not for several days. Her
father had asked her to call and
tell Anne they'd decided to go ahead
with the trip. They would call for
her at eleven o'clock.
For an instant Anne hesitated
Something Of the feeling of the
dream slipped across her mind, as
a frail wisp Of mist Sits across q
country road early in the morning.
1t was gone as quickly.
"All right she said. I'm be
ready"
She put the phone down, picked il
up again n asked for Headquar.
ters at Fortress Ell Moro.
Two hours later she stopped at
the desk to get her mail. 1t wasn't
eleven yet, and being Spanish they'd
probably be late anyway, She
crossed the lobby and sat down to
read her mothers letter.
"Darling,-Do you remember Sue
Lattimer? l saw her mother at lunch
at the Colony yesterday. She says
Sue and her husband are down there
where you are and that Sue adores
it. She's SO enthusiastic about the
country and the people and her hus-
bands work. Mrs. Lattimer-her
names something else now but I've
forgotten it-hasn't ever really for
given her for marrying. It was
somebody Porter. wasn't it? And I
gather she thinks Sue is just being
perverse in being happy on thirty
five hundred dollars a year. must
say the little ! saw OF Sue when you
were at school together I never
thought the child had it in her . :"
Anne's eyes fastened on her moth
er's vigorous scrawl were a little
misty suddenly. Poor little Sue
hating it like poison, and too proud
and too loyal to Russell to let her
mother know it. Anne looked up,
not quite sure she was seeing prop
erly. Sue herself was crossing the
lobby toward the desk.
us Mr.. Taussig in?" she asked
brightly. Tell him Mrs. Russell
Porter is downstairs"
She turned and saw Anne. Her
face flushed a little.
"Oh, hello, Anne!"
She turned quickly to the telephone
operator. Never mind. Thanks"
Her smile as she came over to
Anne was too bright to be altogether
convincing. How are you, darling,
What an adorable dress, and I love
your shoes! / haven't had any really
decent clothes since my ~trousseau
wore out. What are you doing?
Why don't you come out to the Club
and play golf with us, and have
lunchs"
TIN going out to Valera Central
to see how they make sugar." Anne
said. "Mr. Taussig's going too"
Sues transparent little girls face
fell. "Oh, really? When will you
be back?"
This afternoon some time, l sup
pose"
why don't you bring him over
to u house to tea?"
Sue frightened instantly.
mot me, angel" Anne replied.
Frankly, I don't like your friend
Mr.. T. And the less ! see Of him
the better I like him."
"Oh, Anne-you're being perfect
ly FOUL" The tears sprang to her
eyes. HE thinks you're splendid
intelligent and beautiful. He
said so the other night. And ever
il you don't like him. couldn't you
be nice to him just for us? It's so
horribly important, ! don't think
he's very attractive either, but"
"Sssh," Anne said.
Mr.. Taussig was getting out Of the
elevator. He didn't see them until
he got to the desk. Then he turned
and came over beaming cordially.
Good morning, Mrs. Porter" He
held out his hand. I've been try.
ing to find a moment to pay a party
call, to thank you for one Of the
pleasantest evenings I've had for a
long time"
He hardly more than noticed
Anne. She sat watching Sue being
cornflower-eyed and breathlessly ca
ger. She'd hoped Anne would play
golf that morning, but it was Won
derful, really, having such a mar
velous chance to see a sugar mill.
And IL you're not too awfully late
getting back, Mr.. Taussig, why don't
you bring Anne over for tea?"
1t seemed to Anne to have the
most convincing spontaneity.
I'm afraid Miss Haywood Is too
popular to waste much Of her time
on me- Mr.. Taussig replied urbane-
ly. But | shall certainly come. With
Miss Haywood, or without her, II I
may"
THAT would be lovelyl" Sue cried.
Mr.. Taussig turned to Anne. And
you, Miss Heywood--are you ready
for an educational tour Of the Is