The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-11

people were just emerging after sup
per a tall commissionaire was stand
ing by the door of a small handsome
brougham. Sir John, with Annabel and
her aunt in close attendance. were
crossing the pavement. 1t CHANGED
that AnnabeI turned her head. and for
a moment the eyes of the two sisters
met Sir John also looked around, and
seeing Anna frowned severely. He
bent down and whispered something in
his companions ear. She nodded and
suffered herself TO be handed into the
carriage.
Both Brendon and Sydney Courtlaw
plunged instantly into some alien sub
ject Of conversation. But Annals low
laugh, although not altogether mirth-
full, brushed away the moment of en-
barrassment.
You see," she said, II am very
black sheep indeed. My own people
will have nothing to do with me-"
1t was your sister, of eourse?" Sgd
ney remarked softly What a mar
Vicious likeness!''
Yes, it was my sister," Anna an
swered. Il suppose that we are very
much alike"
The carriage vanished round cor
ner Something which looked like a
white handkerchief fluttered from the
window. For a few moments Anna re-
manned silent. Her high spirits tagged.
They walked aimlessly alongS the two
young men glancing furtively at one
another. Then with a little exclama-
ton she recovered herself.
Dear me, how absurd" she ex-
claimed LAS if London were not large
enough for both of US. Please tell me,
Mr.. Brendon, ought we to be out so
late as this? Will Mrs. White give me
notice?"
I'VE have latchkeys." they both as
sured her.
She smiled
Capital! Don't hurry then. 1 like
to look around me-"
So they threaded their way through
the lettering groups of men and wo-
men. Anna frequently paused to look
about her, often perplexed, more than
once astonished.
II do not understand these people at
ALL" she declared. There are none
who seem really to be enjoying them
selves, except those who have had too
much to drink. All these others, they
come from their evenings pleasure as
though from hours of labor"
The Londoner and the Partisan are
as far apart as the poles" Sydney re-
minded her. THE Partisan huns a gay
tune as he walks homeward and
thinks over his evenings entertain
ment. The Englishman wonders how
he viii sleep, thinks or the morroWs
work, and 1eckons up how much his
evenings pleasure has cost him"
Anna shrugged her shoulders.
Don't ask me to be patriotic, them"
she remarked. And yet, you know,
one feels nearer to life here. Levity
fits the Partisan like glove, his very
capacity for it seems belittling. See
how different it is here, what strug-
gle it all is to appear light hearted.
The forced smile cracks the rouge on
these women's cheeks. 1t is hideously
unnatural, one feels conscious all the
time of the tragedy underneath. And
the men, those who are not flushed
with wine, are dull-footed, pale. They
come and go like spectral figures. One
feels that they are only adding to the
tolls of the day in this half-hearted
pursuit of relaxation"
Brendon looked at her curiously.
81 wonder" he said. SIS this the Gym
icism of the very young, or do we real
ly seem like 1t to your"
'I am not young" Anna answered,
"and am not cynic. If / am unjust
I shall find 1t out very soon. / simply
speak of things as l see them"
Brendon, with regret, took out his
latchkey. They passed into the dimly
lit hall of their boarding house, and
Anna. after discreet good nights, went
softly upstairs. The two young men
tiptoed their way into a small room
courtesy the smoking-room. Horace.
to bring them whisky.