The San Francisco call., 1897-10-10
4RK. SKINNED LI0HTANER IN THE HOUSE OF MYSTERY

asked her what sort of book was missing.
Bring 'em to me-.hose books over
there she said, brusq1ely. IAN Pll show
you what IT'S like"
Later, when she had left the stand and
had asked permission to go home, she
stopped beside Miss Bells chair to talk
| for a moment.
Give me that chair-you take an.
other, she said to the man who was
seated beside Miss Bell.
And evidently it didn't occur to him to
demur.
Nanny Pleasant for all 1 know, may
be the vile, mercenary intriguer her ene-
mics say she is. or she may be possessed
OF that great white heart beneath black
skin" of which her friends assure me.
But her faults and her virtues must be
those OF strong temperament. There is
nothing weak, nothing temporizing about
her She is exquisitely loyal Not even
the awful, cumu,ating misfortunes OF
Sarah Althea Terry's terribly tragic Lille
could weary the devotion of this tena-
clous, faithful old black woman. She has
been good friend. l don't doubt that
she can be relentless enemy.
My interview with Nanny Pleasant
should rightly be written up under the
head, People [ Haven't Met"
If a foreign Prince comes to San Fran
cisco your managing editor, through an
influential friend, may arrange a short
meeting for you, when only stereotyped
questions may be asked. II famous mur-
derer IS 10 be hanged soon you may talk to
dod
l personal or indelicate. Ii a great Iady's
daughter is to be married she will grant
you an interview, If you will be sufficient
ly grateful. But tell me, ye gods OF the
pull, what is the magic string that will
open Nanny Peasants door and Nanny
| Peasants lipsl
went up the steps at 1861 Octavia street
and rang the bell and waited and-no one
came.
Again l waited, and again, ana present
ly a pretuy-faceu lad of about IA appeared
at the door. He was gentle. even smiling,
but he was delightfully."- firm.
All hail to Nanny Pleasant! Any one
who can secure service such as this must
be power.
Mrs. Pleasant was very busy. She was
engaged. No, he couldn't really take my
ing her.
Did he know when one could see Mrs.
Pleasant?
He couldn't say really.
And Mrs. Bell?
Mrs. Bell was not UP. He was sorry.
Evidently not a working ngwoman-Mrs
Bell
1t was 10 o'clock in the morning.
And Miss Marie BelI2
Mss Bell was out of town, lsped the
gentle, courteous little liar.
Too bad and he didn't know when
Mrs. Pleasant could see one?
He relented at this-just a shade.
''She might-might happen to see you
from the upper window as you are going
out and call you back-if YOU walk very
slowly"
I'm ashamed to admit that l walked
very, very slowly.
And I'm still more Inundated to con-
fess thatsh didn't call me backl
tried again a few days later
! This time an elderly woman admitted
ME.
wSs so surprised at really being on the
inside OF that charmed door that could
| ~NNN>
A very, very vide, generous, deep hall,
| with broad staircase starting halfway
| back, and-suddenly, from above, a deep,
imperious voice:
WHO'S the lady? Who's the lady?' it
demanded.
wasn't engaged in any dark, diabolical
scheme. But that authoritative voice
made me feel as if l were. l haven't felt
! sf hot ,,,1iI
school-teache7 l had bade me read from a
page that was Greek and Sanscrit and
shorthand to me.
I'm bringing up her card and the
letters, said the gentle, timid voice of the
woman who had admitted me-
Il can't see anybody. What's your
pame?'
Up toward the undistinguished dark
ness l confessed my name and quality, or
lack of it.
"You were here the other day."
Yes" l admitted, like a culprt.
well. can't see you. I'm too busy
| don't want to see anybody. If 1 want
you, IN send for you."
! laughed aloud at this. 1t was so un-
expected; said so simply, though.
The harsh voice softened almost i'm
perceptibly. 1t babe me good by, and
repeated not so Grossly,
If 1 want you, I'll send for you'll!
!
Up to the present iime--and THE Calls
about to go 10 press-I haven't been
sent for.
Is it possible that Nanny Pleasant
! doesn' want me?
MIRIAM NICHOLSON