The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-04-03

locking at her with slight smile.
''Oh, generous!" she said, with little
movement of impotence, which was
genuine. This is no question of gen.
erosity; 1 want the girl to go and be a
singer, and / don't want her to go
alone. Now, I've found out a way for
her to go that will be agreeable to her
and to me, and take for granted, to
the man
She looked at Essex with a smile that
almost said she knew him to be the
favored person.
"Of course" she continued, at would
be better for him to get some work It's
bad for a man or woman to be idle. If
he knows how to write, it would be an
easy matter to make him Paris CORE
spondent of The Trumpet. 1t was my
husbands intention to have a corre-
spondent, and he had some idea of Of
fering 1t to Mrs. Willers. But it's not
the work for her, nor she the woman
for it. 1t ought to be man, and man
that's conversant with the country and
the language. There'll be a good SAL
airy to go with it. Win was talking
, about 1t only the other evening"
What a showering Of good fortune
on one person." said Essex-"a position
ready-made, a small fortune and a
beautiful wifel He must be a favorite
of the gods
You can call it what you like, Mr..
Essex" said Bessie. It's been my ex-
perience that the gods take for their
favorites men and women who've got
some hustle. Everybody has a chance
some time or other. Miss Moreau and
her young man have theirs now"
She rose to her feet, for at that mo-
ment, Pussy Thurston appeared in the
doorway to say goodnight
The pretty creature had cast more
than one covertly admiring look at Es-
sex, during the dinner, and now, as
she held out her hand to him in fare
well. she said after the informal West
ern fashion:
Won't you come to see me, Mr.. Es-
sex? I'm always at home on Sunday
afternoon. If you're bashful Win will
bring you. He comes sometimes when
he's got nowhere else in the world to
go to-
Win who was just behind her, ex-
pressed his willingness to act as escort,
and laughing and jesting, the party
passed through. the doorway into the
drawing The little fires were
burning low. BY the light of one, Maud
and Count de Lamolle were looking at
book of photographs of Swiss views.
The Counts expression was enigmatic.
and as Bessie approached them she
heard Maud say:
"Oh. that's a mountain. What's the
name of 1t. now? 1 can't remember.
It's very high and pointed, and people
are always climbing it and falling into
hoIes.''
The Matterhorn, perhaps" sug-
gested the Count, politely.
To which Maud gave a relieved as
sent. Her words were commonplace
enough, but there was a quality of
ight-heartedness. of suppressed ella
ton, in her voice, that her mothers
quick ear instantly caught. AS the girl
looked up at their approaching figures
her face showed the same newly ac-
quired sparkle that was almost joyous
1t had, in fact, been a critical evening
for Maud, and so miserable did she
feel her situation to be that she had
taken her courage in both hands and
struck one desperate blow for freedom.
When her mother and Essex had be-
gun their pictorial migrations she had
felt the cold dread of a tete-a-tete
with the Count creeping over her heart.
For space she had tried to remain at
tached to Win and Pussy Thurston, but
neither Win nor Pussy, who were old
friends and had many subjects of mu-
tual interest to discuss, encouraged her
society. Maud was not the person to
develop diplomatic genius under the
most favorable circumstances. Half an
hour after the men had entered the
drawing-room. she found herself alone
with the Count in front of the fire, Win
and Pussy having strayed away to the
Bouguereau.
The Count had tried various subjects
Of conversation, but they had dropped
and died after a few minutes OF Ian
gushing existence. He stood with his
back to the mantelpiece, looking curl
ously at Maud. who sat on the edge Of
an armchair just within reach of the
f1uctuating light Her hands were
clasped on her knee, and she was look
ing down so that he could not see her
face.
Suddenly she rose to her feet and
faced him. She was pale and her eyes
looked miserable and terrified.
Count de Lamolle,'' she breathed in
a tremulous voice.
'Mademoiselle." he said, moving to-
ward her, very much surprised by her
appearance.
I've got to say something to you. 1t
may sound queer. but I've got to say
it."
Dear Miss" said the Frenchman,
really concerned by her tragic de-
meanor. SAY whatever pleases you. L
am only here to listen.'
You don't really care for me. Oh,
if you'd only tell the truth"
That is strange remark" he said.
completely taken by surprise, and won
dering what this extraordinary girl was
going to say next.
IF l thought you really cared it
would be different. Perhaps 1 couldn't
say it. hate making people miserable,
and yet so many people make me mis-
cradle"
Who makes you miserable, dear
young lady?" he said, honestly touched.
YOU" she almost whispered. you
: do. You don't mean to. know, for I
think you're kinder than lots OF other
P1af- hut