The San Francisco call., 1904-03-27

unusual character.
IF you've come to talk to me about
going to Europe" she said desperate
ly. Il may as we'll tell you, there's no
use. l won't go to Paris now, as l
once said 1 would. and there's no good
trying to make me change my mind.
Your mother and Mrs. Willers have
both tried to, and it's very kind OF
them, but Cant
She had an expression at once OF
fright and determination. The sub
ject was becoming a nightmare 20 her,
and she saw herself attacked again
from Il strange quarter. and with, she
ina gined, new set of arguments.
It's nothing to do with going to
Europe" he said. lists put
up one of the long bony hands, and
with the two first fingers pressed his
glasses back against his eyes, then
dropped the hand and stared at Mari
posa, the eyes looking strangely pale
and prominent behind the powerful
lenses.
ITS something that's just between
you and me-" he said.
She surveyed him without answer
ing, her brows drawn. her mind con-
centrated on him and on what he
could mean.
DO you want me to teach somebody
music?" she said, wondering if this
could be the pleasant solution of the
enigma.
mo. The-er-the business I've
come to talk to you about ought to do
away altogether with the. necessity of
your giving lessons
They looked at each other silently
for moment. Win was conscious
that his hands were trembling, and
that his mouth was dry. He rose
from his chair and mechanically
reached for his hat. When he had
started on his difficult errand he had
been certain that she knew her rela
tionship to his father. Now the
dreadful thought entered his mind
that perhaps she did not. And even is
she did, it was evident that she was
not going to give him the least help.
What is the business you've come
TO see me about?" she asked.
It's a question of money" he an
swered.
Money!" CALCULATED Mariposa. il
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He glanced desperately into his hat
and then back at her. She saw the
hat trembling in his hand and sud
denly realized that this man was try
ing to say something that was agita-
ting him to the marrow of his being.
Mr.. Shackleton," she said, rising to
her feet, tell me what you mean.
don't understand. I'm completely at
sea. How can there be any question
of money between us when I've never
seen you or met you before? Explain
it ALL"
He dropped the hat to his side and
said slowly. looking her straight in the
face:
Il want to give you a share of the
estate left me by my father. 1 look
upon it as yours"
There was a pause. He saw her
paling under his gaze, and realized
that, whatever she might pretend, she
knew. His heart bled for her.
LAS mine!" she said in a low. un-
certain voice. Why"
Because you have right to it,"
There was another pause. He
moved close to her and said, in voice
full of mans daep kindness:
II can't explain any more. Don't
ask it. Don't let's bother anything in
the background. It's just the present
that's our affair"
He suddenly dropped his hat and
took her hand. 1t was as cold as his
had been. He pressed 1t, and Mari
posa, looking dazedly at him, saw
gleam like tears behind the glasses.
IT'S hateful to have you living here
like this, while we-that is, while
other people-have everything.
can't stand 1t. It's too mean and un-
fair. 1 want you to share with me-
She shook her head, looking down,
a hundred thoughts bursting in upon
had he found it out? In his grasp, her
hand trembled pitifully.
Don't shake your head" ne
pleaded, Its so hard to say it. Don
turn it down before you've heard ne
out"
And it's hard to hear it," she mur-
INJURED.
mo one knows anything of this but
me-" he continued, "and l promise you
that no other ever shall. It'll be just
between us as between"-he paused
and then added with voice that was
husky-"as between brother ahd sis
ter"
She shook her head again, feeling
for the moment too upset to speak,
and tried to draw away from him.
But he put his other hand on her
shoulder and held her.
I'll go halves with you. can have
it all arranged so that no one will ever
find out. 1 can't make thu regular
partition of the property until the end
of the year. But, until then. I'll senI
you what would be your interest,
monthly and you can live where, or
how you like. II can't go ON
knowing things, and thinking = you
living in this sort of way and teach
ing music"
Il can't do it," she said, in a stran-
gled undertone. and pulling her hand
out of his grasp. Il cane. It's not
possible. can't take money that was
your fathers