The San Francisco call., 1904-12-11

angry by lecturing her about Tom
and she told him.
He knows, by Jove, does he?" He
pulled at his mustache, she pressed
his arm lightly. But, 1 say. he's taxi
en- the money!" He looked at her in
a whimsical perplexity. =.
so you may imagine what it was to
me-"
But he's taken the money!"
How could he refuse it? 1t would
have meant ruin. oh, he didn't know
when he sent me to you-he'd never
have done that"
But he knew when he kept it?"
Yes, he knew then. He couldn't
let it go when once he'd got it, you
see. Poor old joint"
We'll, that's a rum thing!" Gayle
shams code was infringed by Johns
actiOn-that was plain; but his hu-
NOR was tickled, too. How did he
well, how did he take it?"
Awful she answered with a
shiver.
But I say, you know. he kept the
money, Christine"
That makes no difference-or
makes ii worse. oh, can't tell youi"
1t doesn't make it worse for you
anyhow. 1t gives you the whip hand,
doesn't it?"
She did not heed him; she was set
on pouring out her own story
It's dreadful at home, Frank Of
course I oughtn't to talk TO you, of all
people. But I've had two months and
more Of it now"
Hes not unkird to you?"
If he was what do l deserve? oh,
don't be fierce. He doesn't throw
things at me, like Harriet Courtland,
or beat me. But /" She burst into
a little laugh. I'm stood in the corner
all the time, Frank"
Poor old Christinei"
He won't be friends. He keeps me
of never touched his hand, or any
thing"
A long-dormant jealousy stirred in
Caylesham.
We'll. do you want to-" he asked
rather brusquely.
"Oh, that's all very well, but imagine
living like that! There's nobody to
speak to. I'm in disgrace. He doesn
talk about it, but he talks round it, you
know. Sometimes he forgets for five
minutes. Then 1 say something cheer
full. Then he remembers and-and
sends me back to my corner" Her
rueful laugh was not far from sob.
It's awfully humiliating," she ended,
''and-and most frightfylly dull"
But how can he-?"
'One good scene would have been so
much more endurable. But all day and
every day."
Caylesham was amused, vexed, ex-
asperated.
But. good heavens. it's not as if it
was an ordinary case. Remember what
he's done, Why do you stand it?"
How can L help it? 1 did the thing.
didn't I?''
His voice rose a little in his inn
patience.
But he's taken my money. He's
living on it. It's saved him. By gad
how can he say anything TO you after
that2 Haven't you got your answer
Why don't you remind him gently OF
that?"
That would hurt him so dreadfully." J."
We'll, doesn't he hurt you?"
He'd never be friends with me
He doesn't seem particularly friend
ly now"
I feel quite friendly to him. want
to be friends"
1t does you credit then" he said
with a sneer.
She pressed his arm lightly again
pleading against his anger and his un-
Wonted failure to understand.
1t would be an end of all hope if ]
threw the money in mis- teeth. He's un-
happy enough about it as it is" She
looked I'D as she added, I've got to
live with him, you know, Frank
Caylesham gave her a curious quick
glance.
Got to live with him?"
Yes; all my life.' she answered. II
suppose you hadn't thought of that?"
1t was not the sort OF thing which
Caylesham was in the habit of think
ing about, but he tried to follow her
view.
Yes, of course. 1t would be better to
be friends. But you shouldn't let him
get on stills. It's absurd, after what
he's done. l mean-I mean he's done a
much queerer thing than you have
it?"
He glanced at her sharply and was
about to speak, when she cried, Why,
where are We? / didn't notice where
We were going"
We're just outside my rooms. Come
in for a bit"
mo, ! can't come in. I'm late now,
automatically I'm ashamed to tell
even yOui Well, Pm always questioned
where I've been. l have to give an ac-
count Of every place. I have to stand
with my hands behind me and give an
account Of all my movements, Frank"
He whistled gently and compassion
ately.
LIKE q SCHOOL Slfl-
How we'll you follow the metaphor,
Frank, So I can't come in. I'll go
home. No, don't you come
IN come a bit farther with you.
Oh, it's quite dark"
well, not arm-in-armi'
But doesn't that look more respect
able?"
You're entirely incurable," she said
with her old pleasure in him all re-
vived
ITS Internal nonsense" he went on.
Just you stand up for yourself. It's
absolute humbug in him. He's de-
barred himself from taking up any
such attitude-just as much as he has
from making any public row about it.
Hang il, he can't have it both ways,
Christinei"
I've got to live with him, Frank"