The San Francisco call., 1904-11-20

ing match with Christine. She took
him to task for alleged dissipation and
over much gayety; he defended his
character and habits with playful
warmth. Sibylla sat by SILENT she
was still very ignorant of all the life
they talked about She knew that
Christine's charges carried innuendoeS
from the way Blake met them, but she
did not know what the innuendoes
were. But she vas not neglected II
his words were Tor gay Christine his
eyes were constantly for the graver
face and the more silent lips. He let
her see his respectful admiration in
the frank way he had; nobody could
take offense at it.
"I suppose you must always have
somebody to be in love with-to give,
oh, your whole heart and soul to,
mustn't your" Christine asked scorn-
fully.
Yes, It's a necessity of my nature" :"
That's what keeps you bachelor
I suppose ?"
a trif1e ruefully. or at least as though
he were little puzzled by Christine's
swift thrust.
Keeps him? He's not old enough
to marry yet" she pleaded, and Blake
gayly accepted the defense.
Their talk was interrupted by Lady
Harriet's rising; her brougham had
been announced. Grantley telegraph
ed his readiness to be off, too, and he
and Sibylla, after saying good night
followed the CourtlandS downstairs,
Raymore accompanying them and
giving the men cigars while their
wives put their cloaks on Grantley
asked for a cab, which was some lit
tie while in coming; Tom Courtland
said he w arfad q hanQOm- too. and
stuck his cigar in his mouth, putting
out a full cloud of smoke. At that
moment Lady Harriet came back into
the hall, Sibylla following her.
do you intend to smoke that ci-
gar in the brougharn as we go to my
mothers party?" asked Lady Harriet.
I'm not aware that your mother
minds smoke; but as a matter of fact
I'm not going to the party at all"
You're expected-I said you'd
come
"Tm sorry. Harriet, but you mis-
understood me-"
Tom CourtIand stood his ground
firmly and answered civilly. though
with a surly rough tone IN his voice.
His wife was still very quiet, yet Ray
more and Grantley exchanged appre-
hensive looks; the lull before the storm
is a well-worked figure Of speech. but
they knew it applied very we'll to Lady
Harriet.
Not Just now.
Where are you going2"
ITO the club"
'Wha. club?'
us my cab there?" Grantley called
to the butler.
Not yet. sir; there'n be one di-
rectIy."
What club?" demanded Lady Har-
riet again.
What does 1t matter? haven't
made up my mind. I'm only going to
have a rubber"
Then it came-what Sibylla had been
told about, what the others had seen
before now. They were all forgotten
host and fellow guests, even the SER
wants. even the cabman, who heard the
outburst and leaned down from his high
seat, trying to see. 1t was like some
physical affiiction, an utter loss of self
control; il was a bare step distant from
violence. 1t was the failure of civiliza-
ton. the easting-off of decency. being
abandoned to a raw fierce fury.
"CIubi" she cried, a deep flush COW
ering her face and all her neck. "Pret-
~ clubs you go to at hard on mid
night! / know you, l know you too
well, you-you liar!"
Sibylla crept behind Grantley. passing
her hand through his arm. Tom
a stiff smile on his lips
"You liar!" she said once again. and
without a look at any of them swept
down the steps. She moved grandily.
She came to the door of her brougham.
which the footman held for her. The
window was drawn UP.
Have you been driving with the
windows shut?'
Yes, my lady"
II told you TO keep them down when
II was fine. Do you want to stifle me.
you fool?" She raised the fan she
carried; IL had stout ivory sticks and
a large knob of ivory at the end. She
dashed the knob against the window
with all her strength; the glass was
broken and fell clattering on the pave
ment as Lady Harriet got in. The
footman shut the door. touched his hat.
and Joined the coachman on the box.
With his pale face and set smile. with
his miserable eyes and bowed should
ers, Tom CORTLAND went down the
steps to his cab. Neither did he look at
any of them.
At last Raymore turned to Sibylla.
I'm so sorry it happened tonight
when you were here" he said.
What does it meant" she gasped.
She looked from Grantley to Ray
more and back again, and read the
answer in their faces. They knew
where Tom Courtland had gone.
Grantley patted her hand gently, and
said to Raymore:
Well, who could stand savage like
that?"
It was the recognition of ruin in
evitable and past cure.
a