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

well calculated to enrage the leading
spirit OF the woman's page, who was as
proud of her weekly contributions as
though they had been inspired by the
genius of George Eliot
Well she said, and her rouge be-
came quite unnecessary in the flood of
natural color that rose to her face, IF
was going to tackle that subject l
think you'd be about the best person to
come to for information. For if you
ever have had anything to do with
crowned heads it's been as their boot
black"
Essex was startled by the singing
malice revealed in this remark. He
swung round on his swivel chair and
sat facing his antagonist, making no at
tempt to rise, although she entered the
room. AS he saw her face in the light
of the window he realized that for the
first time he saw the woman stirred
out of her carefully acquired profess
sional calm.
AS she entered she pushed the door
to behind her. and. taking the chair be-
side the desk, sat down.
Mr.. Essex" she said, II want a
word with you.''
Any number" he answered with
ironical politeness. DO you wish the
history Of my connection with the
crowned heads as court bootblack?"
No." she said. II want to know
what business you've got to go to Mrs.
Garcia's boarding house and frighten
one of the ladies living there?"
An instantaneous change passed over
Essex's face. His eyes seemed sud-
denly to grow yelled as they narrowed
to cold, non-committal slit. His
mouth hardened. Mrs. Willers saw the
muscles of his cheeks tighten.
Really" he said, this sudden inter-
est in me is quite fiattering. I hardly
know what to say"
He spoke to gain time. for he was
amazed and enraged. Mariposa had
evidently made a confidante Of Mrs.
Willers, and he knew that Mrs. Willers
was high in favor with Winslow
Shackleton and his mother
I'm this country, Mr.. Essex" Mrs.
Willers went on, clenching her hands
in her lap, for they trembled with her
indignation, men don't scare and
browbeat young women who don't hap
pen to have the good taste to favor
them. When man gets the mitten he
knows enough to get OUT
Very clever of him, no doubt" he
murmured with mistaken suavity.
IF you're going to live here you've
got to live by our laws. You've got to
do as the Romans do. And take my
word for it, young man, the Romans
don't approve of nagging and soaring
a woman into marriage"
ssNo 90 he oDcuaro1 rrifb bIopd1u
questioning infection, these are inter-
esting facts in local manners and GUS
toms. I'm sure they'd be of value to
some one who was making a special
study of the subject. Personally 1 am
not interested in the California abor-
igines. Even the original and charm
ing specimen now before me would
oblige me greatly by withdrawing. 1t
is now"-looking at the clock that stood
on the side Of the half-past
two, aud my time is valuable, my dear
Mrs. Willers.''
Mrs. Willers rose to her feet, burn
ing with rage.
Put me off any way you like" she
said, land be as fresh and smart as
you know how. But 1 tell you, young
man, this has got to stop. That girls
got no one belonging to her here. But
don't imagine from that you can have
the field to yourself and go on persecut-
ing her. Moths is not France nor
Spain, nor any other old monarchy,
where a woman didn't have any more
to say about herself than mule, or
pet parrot. No, sir. You've run up
against the wrong proposition If you
think you can scare a woman into mar
rying you in California in the nine
teenth century,
Essex rose from his chair. He was
pale.
Look here" he said in low voice,
Eve had enough of this. BY what
right I'd like to know, do you dare to
dictate to me or interfere in my &C.
quaintance with another LADY,"
I'D dare more than that, Barry Es-
SEX" said Mrs. Willers, with her rouge
standing out red on her white face, ito
save that girl from man like you.
don't know what I wouldn't dare. But
I'm good fighter when my blood Is up,
and I'll fight you on this point till one
or the other of us drops"
She saw Essex's nostrils fan softly in
and out. His cheek-b bones looked prom
ihent
"Will you kindly leave this room?"
he said in a suppressed voice.
YES" she answered, I'm going now.
But understand that I'm making no
idle threats. And If this persecution
goes on I'll tell Winslow Shackleton Of
the way you're acting to a friend of
his and a protegee of his mothers"
She was at the door and had the ham
die in her hand. Essex turned on her
face of livid malignity.
Really, Mrs. Willers," he said, II
had no idea you were entitled to speak
for Winslow Shackleton. I congratulate
you
For a moment Of blind rage, Mrs
Willers neither spoke nor moved. Then
she felt the door handle turn under her
hand and the door push inward. She
mechanically stepped to one side, as it
opened, and the office boy intruded his
head.
81 knocked here twict, and y'aint
answered." he said alphabetically.
There's man to see you. Mr.. Essex.