Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1944-03-03
CHAPTER V

Pete blew large white ring Of
cigarette smoke out in front of him
and watched it dissolve in the cool
silver air. Miguel Valera had been
educated In the States-he ought to
have learned that you don't discuss
. girl with a man you scarcely
know. He took a deep breath and
said nothing.
I'm sorry il I've offended you."
Miguel Valera said quietly. He put
down his glass, II thought you we're
close friend of hers"
II am"
I'm that case. II you will allow me
to offer you some advice Send her
back to the States ON Wednesdays
Clipper"
He got up.
Good night. Captain Wilcox"
He was halfway across the patio
to the arcade before Pete was sure
he had really heard the words. He
looked silently after him, and
glanced up at Anne's dark window.
1t was almost eleven when Anne
got out Of the elevator and went
over to the desk There was a note
In her mail box from Pete, and
couple of air-mail letters from home.
Nothing from Miguel Just why
she'd thought there would be she
didn't know. Or why she was dis
appointed, just vaguely. because
there wasn't. Maybe he knew she'd
seen him.
She went out onto the porch and
sat down to read her mail. She
must be careful Of her skin, her
mother said, and not 60 without
hat. Her father hoped she was hav-
Ing fun and wouldn't fall in love
with any damned native. She
smiled, put the letters in her bag,
and opened Pete's note.
"Anne-You're lunching with me.
Same time, same place. Pete"
She got up. As she started to 60
back into the lobby big shiny black
Limousine with uniformed chauf-
feur pulled up under the portico.
Anne's heart jumped. Miguel Va
lera was getting out. With him was
his father, Don Aware For an in
slant her impulse was to run. But
she couldn't Miguel had seen
her. 1t was an important moment
something profoundly deep inside
her told her 1t was enc Of the most
important moments Of her life. Then
he was coming toward her. And
she mustn't let him know she knew.
Good morningl This is awfully
NIGEL"
With the speed OF light something
so concealed that 1t was almost i'm
perceptible relaxed behind Miguel
Valera's gray-green eyes, He smiled
warmly, taking her friendly out-
stretched hand Anne's face bright
ened. She'd done it. He didn't
know and the rest was easy.
"You remember my father"
"Of course"
She smiled at Don Alvaro. stand
Ing aloof and dignifed in the arch
way waiting for his son. He had
on the same white drill semi-mili-
tary uniforrn--or another like it, be-
cause he was spotlessly starched
and ironed--and the same gray felt
hat in his hand.
Good morning." she said She
didn't know whether it should be
Mr.. or Senior or Don, so she didn't
say his name at all,
Good morning, Senorita"
Don Aware bowed with formal
courtesy. His eyes meeting hers
with X-ray clarity were old and wise
and calm. Yet somewhere in them
was a yelled shadow Of the same
subtle resentment she'd felt so
sharply and undisguisedly in Ora
cielas.
She held out her hand simply AS
simply, Don Alvaro took it. In the
brief instant her eyes were raised to
his, calm and trusting as child's,
the heavy load he had carried since
his sons return had vanished He
smiled
will you have coffee with us,
Senorita?"
Miguel, reaching in his pocket for
his lighter, stopped his hand abrupt
ly. He had known his father would
like her he couldn't help 1t
when he once knew her; but he had
expected a long uphill climb before
more than truce prevailed. He
glanced at his father out Of the cor
ner Of his eye, not entirely con-
vinced
'1'd love to- Anne was saying.
Wilcox didn't know, he thought,
how much il had taken for him TO
suggest sending her back to the
States. He watched her slim flame
tipped body moving easily beside his
fathers erect firm figure. Independ-
ence was a spiritual and physical
as well as a social and economic
quality. You could spot an Ameri.
can girl anywhere in the world. The
way she moved was even more re.
veallng than the way she dressed.
"Just so long as II doesn't get
her into trouble" he thought. She's
not half as sophisticated as she