The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-17
you, Agatha? We must arrange day,

--,,.---- L"r1,1,3
you, Agatha? We must arrange day."
said Mrs. Blunt.
Calder knows him." added Victor.
Hes an idle young dog" said Uncle
Van, "but nice fellow A little Eighty
and fanciful, as boys will be, but no harm
In him. You mustn't attach too much i'm
portance to our chaff about his meetings
at the Pool Miss Glyn; we don't mean
any HARM
Agatha tried to smile, but the attempt
was not a brilliant success. She STAN
mered that she would be delighted to meet
Charles Merceron, swearing in her heart
that sooner she would start for Terra del
Fuego But her confession to Mrs. Blunt
would save her. if only these odious men
would go. They had had their coffee and
their liqueurs and their cigarettes. What
more, in heavens name, could even man
want to propitiate the god of his idolatry?
Apparently the guests themselves be-
came aware that they were trespassing, for
Uncle Van, turning to his hostess with his
blandest smile, remarked:
81 hope we're not staying too long. The
fact is, my dear Mrs. Blunt, you're always
so kind that we took the liberty of telling
Calder Wentworth to call for US here. He
ought to have come by now"
Mrs. Blunt declared that she would be
offended if they thought of going before
Calder came. Agatha rose in despair; the
confession must be put off. She held out
her hand to her hostess. AT this moment
the doorbell rang.
CHATS him" said Victor.
sit down again for minute, dear"
urged Mrs. Blunt.
There was renewed hope for the confess
sion. Agatha sat down. But hardly had
she done so before the strangest PRESENT.
mont me hpr haorI ha
below open and shut, and it was borne in
upon her mind that two men had entered.
How she guessed it she could not tell, but
as as she sat there she had no doubt at all
that Charlie Merceron had come with Cal
der Wentworth. Escape was impossible,
but she walked across to the window and
stood there with her back to the wall
"Mr. Wentworth" she heard, and then
cutting the servant short came Calder's
voice.
! 81 took the liberty" he began; and
she did not know how he went on, for her
head was swimming.
agatha Agatha, dearp' called Mrs.
Blunt.
Perforce she turned, passing her hand
quickly across her brow. Yes! 1t was So
There he stood by Calder's side, and Calder
was saying:
my dear Agatha, this is Charlie Mer-
ceron."
She would not look at Charlie. She
moved slowly forward her ewes fixed on
Calder, and bowed with little set smile
Luckily people pay slight attention TO one
another's expressions on social occasions,
or they must all have noticed her agita-
ton. AS it was, only Calder Wentworth
looked curiously at her before he turned
aside to shake hands with Uncle Van.
Then she felt Charlie Merceron coming
nearer. and a second later she heard his
voice.
SIS it possible that it's your" he asked in
a low voice.
Then she looked at him. His face was
pale and his eyes eagerly straining to read
what might be in hers.
"HushW she whispered. eyes. Hush ~
hush!"
But, but he called you Glyn2"
YES
"And he says you're engaged to him."
Agatha clasped her hands and CaIder's
voice broke in between them:
Come along, Merceron. we're waiting
for YOU!
They've got into antiquities already. -
smiled Mrs. Blunt. on must come
again, Mr.. Merceron, and meet Miss Glyn
Mustn't he, Agatha?''
Agatha threw one glance at him.
IF he will, she said.
Charlie pulled himself together, muttered
something appropriate and shutfied out
under his uncle5s wing. Mr.. Vansittart
was surprised to find him a trihe confused
and awkward in society.
Outside the house Charlie ranged up be-
side Calder Wentworth, leaving Uncle
Van and Sutton together.
well, what do you think of herr"
asked Calder.
Charlie gave no opinion. He asked just
one question:
How long have you been engaged to
her?'
'How longP Oh, let's see About-yes,
Just about year: l never knew that
there was a sort of connection between
you and her-a sort of relationship, YOU
know. l amt strong on the peerage''
"a sort Of connecticut" There was that
IN more senses than the one Calder had
been told of,by Uncle Van. There was a
connection that poor Charlie thought
heaven itself had tied on those summer
evenings by the Pool, which to strengthen
and confirm forever he had sailed from
his home, like knight in search of his
mistress the world over in olden DAYS. And
he found her-such as this girl must be.
Stay! He did not know all yet. Perhaps
she had been forced into bond she hated.
He knew that happened. Did not stories
tell oft, and moralists disclaim against il?
This man-this creature, Calder Went
worth-was buying her with his money.
forcing himself on her, brutally capturing
AiCi. vi COuISc. HOW COulufr he nave
doubted her? Charlie dropped Calder's
arm as though it had been made of red-hot
iron.
"Hullo" exclaimed that worthy fellow
unconscious of offense.
Charley stopped short.
~ can't come" he said. olive re-
membered an engagement; and without
more he turned away and shot out of sight
around the nearest corner.
"Well, I'm hangedn' said Calder Went
worth, and with puzzled frown he Joined
his other friends.
CHAPTER VIII.
Left alone with Mrs. Blunt, Agatha sank
into the nearest chair.
"a very handsome young man, isn't
her. askeds the good old lady, pushing a
chair back into its place. He'll be an &C
QUESTION, think"
Agatha made no answer, and Mrs. Blunt,
glanclng at her, found her devouring the
carpet with stony stare.
What on earth s the matter, child?"
M the wretchedest, wickedest girl
alive, declared Agatha.
Good gracious!'
Mrs. Blunt, who do you think was in
the summer-house when Mr.. Merceron
went there ?n