The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-25
CHAPTER Xxx.

The craftsmanship of Montague Hill.
BY the by" his neighbor asked him
languidly. who Is our hostess?"
Usually known, 1 believe as Lady
Ferringhall," Ennison answered, 'un-
less / have mixed up my enga cement
list and come to the wrong house"
How dull you are" the lady re-
marked. "Of course ] mean, who was
she?"
L believe that her name was Pei
Mssier" Ennison answered.
"Pellissier," she repeated thoughtful
~ There were some Hampshire Pei
lissiers"
"she is one of them" nnison said
Dear me! ] wonder where Sir John
picked her up"
IN Paris 1 think" Ennison an
swered. "Only married a few months
egJ and lived out at Hampstead.
''8eavens," the lady claimed. Il
heard they came from som where out
rageOus."
Hampstead didn't suit Lady Far
ringhau," Ennison remarked. They
have just taken this house from Lazy
calender"
And what are you doing here?" the
lady asked.
Politics." Ennison answered grimly.
And you2"
Same thing Besides my husband
you know, ! am beginning to believe
that we only exist nowadays by the
tolerance of these millionaire trades
men. Our land brings US in nothing.
We have TO get them to Let us in for
the profits their business. and in
return we ask them to-dinner BY
the by, have YOU seen this new won-
an at the Empire? What is it they call
her-Alcide?"
Yes. I have seen her" Ennison an
nounced.
Every one raves about her" Lady
Angela continued. For my part I can
see no difference in any of these
French girls who come over here with
their demure manner and atrocious
songs"
"Alcide's songs are not atrocio, S"
EnnisOn remarked.
Lady Angela shrugged her shoulders.
1T is unimportant," she said. No
body understands them. of course. but
we all look as though we did. Some
thing about this woman rather re-
minds me Of our hostess"
Ennison thought so too half an hour
later, when having cut out from one
Of the bridge tables he settled down
for a chat with Annabel. Every now
and then something familiar in her
tone, the poise of her head, the play
of her eyes startled him. Then he re-
membered that she was Annals sister.
He lowered his voice a little md
leaned toward her.
BY the BY, LADY Ferringhall," he
said do you know that I am a very
great admirer of your sisters? l Won
der II she has ever spoken p: you Of
me"
The change in Lady FerringhaIPs
manner was subtle but unmistakab bic.
She answered him almost colby.
4 see nothing Of my sister" she said.
IN Paris our lives were far apart, and
we had seldom the same friends. 1 have
heard of you from my husband. You
are somebody's secretary, are you not?"
1t was plain that the subject was dis
tasteful TO her, but Ennison, although
famous il q small way for his social
tact did not at once discard 1t.
You have not seen your sister late
"" he remarked. I believe that you
would find her in some respects Curl
ously altered. I have never in my life
been so much puzzled by any one as
by your sister Something has changed
her tremendously"
Annabel looked at him curiously.
DO you mean in looks?' she asked
Not only that" he answered I'm
Paris your sister appeared to me to be
charming student of fIivolity. Here
she Seems to have developed into a bril-
liant woman with more character and
steadfastness than l should ever have
given her credit for. Her features are
the same, yet the change has written
its mark into her face. Do you know,
Lady Ferringhall, am proud that your
sister permits me to call myself her
friend"
And in Paris"
I'm Paris" he interrupted, "she was
. very delightful companion, but be-
yond that-one did not take her seri-
ously. ! am not boring you, am II"
She raised her eyebrows TO his and
smiled into his face.
you are not boring me-" she said,
but ] would rather talk Of something
else. ] suppose you will think me very
unsisterly and cold-hearted, but there
are circumstances in connection with
my sisters latest exploit which are in
tensely irritating both to my husband
and to myself"
He recognized the force almost the
passion, which trembled in her tone.
and he at once abandoned the subject.
He remained talking with her, however.
1t was easy for him to see that she
desired to be agreeable to him They
talked lightly but confdentially until
Sir John approached them with a slight
frown upon his face.
Mr.. Ennison," he said. 'it is for YOU
to cut in at Lady Angela's table. Anna.
Go you not see that the Countess is sit
ting alone?"
DHE IOHG anu lldS0eQ a QUICK smile
upon Ennison behind her husbands
back
You must come and see me some
afternoon" she said to him.
He murmured his delight and Joined
the bridge party. where he played with
less than his accustomed skill. On the
way home he was still thoughtful. He
turlled in at the club. They were talk
ing Of "Alcide," as they often did in
those days.
Heard the latest sensation, En-
nison2" he was asked on his entrance
into the smokeroom.
i have heard nothing" Ennison
answered. II have been to a political
dinner. and am weary. Besides 1 have
lost all my money at bridge. Will some
one stand me whisky and soda %
Some one touched the bell The man
who had spoken TO him first continued