The San Francisco call., 1904-02-14

ne NdulSA " c1y oOAAiCNAAA'6 WO%@4SA
full TO her: his speech should be like the
music and glory and fire that was in
him; therefore he was shocked to hear
himself remarking, with an inanity of
utterance that sickened him:
"Oh, here's the gate, isn't -it?"
Her answer wSs a short laugh. You
mean you wish to persuade me that you
had forgotten 1t was there?"
'T did not see It," he protested. la
mentally.
MOP"
II wasn't thinking Of it,
"Indeed You were lost in thoughts
Of ="
"Of you!" he said, before he could
check himself.
'"Yes?" Her tone was as quietly con-
temptuous as she could make it. How
very frank of you. May 1 ask: Are you
convinced that speeches of that sort
are always to lady's liking?"
NO." he answered humbly, and hung
his head. Then she threw the question
at him abruptly:
"was 1t you who came to sing in our
garden?"
There was a long pause before a pro-
found sigh came TREMENDOUSLY from the
darkness. like a sad and tender confess
sion. Yes
II thought SOL" she exclaimed. Mrs
Tanberry thought II was some one else;
but knew that it was you
Yes, you are right" he said. quietly.
1T was I. 1t was my only way to tell
you what you know now
"Of course!" She set it all aside with
those two words and the slightest ges-
ture of her hand. "It was a song made
for another girl, believer" she asked
lightly. and with an icy smile, inquired
farther: For the one-the one before
the last. understand"
He lifted his head, surprised. What
has that to do with it? The music was
made for you-but then, 1 think all
music was made for you"
Leave the music out of it, if you
please. she said, impatiently. Your
talents make you modest, No doubt
you consider it unmaidenly in me to
have referred to the serenade before
you spoke of it; but I am not one to
cast down my eyes and let it pass. No,
nor one too sweet to face the truth.
either," she cried with sudden passion.
ITO sing that song in the way you did.
meant-oh you thought I would ffirt
with you. What right had you 20 ccme
with such q song to me?"
Tom intended only to disclaim the
presumption, so far from his thoughts,
that his Song had moved her for he
could see that her attack was prompted
by her inexplicable impression that he
had assumed the attitude of a con-
queror, but his explanation began un-
fortunately.
Forgive me. think you have COM
pletely misunderstood: you thought it,
meant something 1 did not intend, at
ALL and
What" she said, her eyes blazed, for
now she beheld him as the arrant sneak
Of the world. He. the lady-killer. with
his hypocritical air q strength and
melancholy sweetness, the leader of
drunken revels. and. by reputation, the
town Lothario and Light-o'-Love, un-
der promise of marriage to Fanchon
Bareaud. had tried to make love to an
other girl, and now his ccwardice in
trying to disclaim what he had done
lent him the insolence to say to this
other: My child, you are betrayed by
your youth and conceit; you exagger-
ate my meaning. had no intention to
distinguish you by coquetting with
youl' This was her Interpretation CT
him; and her Indignation was not les
sened by the inevitable conclusion that
he, who had been through so many
scenes with women, secretly found her
simplicity diverting. Miss Betty had
little of her father in her; while it was
part OF her youth, too, zhat, of all
things she could least endure the
shadow Of smile at her own expense
'Oh, OH" she cried. her voice shak-
ing with anger. Il suppose your bad
heart is half-choked with your laughter
at me-"
She turned from him swiftly, and left
him.
Almost running, she entered the
house, and hurried to a seat by Mrs.
Tanberry, nesting to her like a young
sapilng on a hillside. Instantaneously.
several gentlemen, who had hastily ac-
quilted themselves OF various obliga-
tions in order to seek her sprang for
ward with eager greetings, so that
when the stricken Tom, dazed and
confounded by his evil luck. followed
her at about five PAGES. he found him
self confronted by an impenetrable alb
ats formed by the spiked tails of the
coats Of General Trumble, Madrillon,
Tappingham Marsh. Cummings and
Jefferson Bareaud. Within this forti-
fication rang out laughter and sally
from Miss Carewe; her color was high
and her eyes sparkled never more
brightly.
Flourish and alarums sounded for q
quadrille. Each of the semicircle.
firmly elbowing his neighbor, begged
the dance of Miss Betty; but Tom was
himself again. and laid a long, strong
hand on Madrillon's shoulder, pressed
him gently aside, and said:
Forgive me, Miss Carewe has hon
ored me by the promise of this qua
drille"
He bowed, Offering his arm, and none
of them was too vain to envy that bow
and gesture.
For moment he remained waiting.
Miss Carewe rose slowly, and, directly
facing him, said in composed and even
voice: You force me to beg you never
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