The San Francisco call., 1904-10-23

corner DelOW ana LOIiuS came up 20
make quartet of the trio behind the
vine-covered trellis.
Later the ex-manager confessed to a
desire for music-PenelODe's music
and the twain went into the sitting
room and the piano. leaving Elinor
and Kent to make the best Of each
other as the spirit moved them.
1t was ElinOr's chance for free speech
with Kent-the opportunity she had
craved But now il was come the sim
plicity of the thing to be said had de-
parted and an embarrassing complex
ity had taken it's place Under other
conditions Kent would have been quick
to see, her difficulty and would have
made haste to efface IL, but he was
fresh from the interview with Mrs.
Brentwood. and the Parthian arrow
was still ranking. None the less. he
was the first to break away from the
commonplaces-
What Is the matter with US this
evening"" he queried. We have been
sitting here talking the vaguest triv-
ialities ever since Penelope and Loring
side-tracked US. 1 haven't been doing
anything I am ashamed OF; have
Yes" she confessed. looking away
from him.
What is it?"
Il asked a certain good friend Of
mine to come to see me when there is
good reason to believe he didn't want
to come"
What makes you think he didn't
want TO Gomez"
WHY don't know; did her" shs.
had turned upon him swiftly with an
Outfiash of the playful daring which
had been one of his major fetterings
in time past-the ecstatic little. charm
that goes with quick repartee and in
stant and sympathetic apprehension.
you have never yet asked anything
OF him that he wasn't glad enough TO
give" he rejoined. keeping UP the third
person hgurative-
rs that saying very much-or verT
llttle?"
Very little. indeed But 1t Is only
your askings that have been lacking
not his good will
That was said like the David Kent
I used to know Are you really quito
the same?"
It hope not" he protested gravely.
People used to say Of me that I ma
tured late and year by year as look
back I can see that 1t was a true say
ing. / have done some desperately
boyish things since I was a man
grown: things that make me tingle
wher I recall them"
Like wasting a whole summer ex-
plCring Mount Croydon with IA
some DOQY VINO UlQ not mature
No, 1 wasn't counting that among
my lapses. An older man than I ever
hope TO be might find excuses for the
Croydon summer. / meant In other
ways For one thing, have craved
success as I think few men have ever
craved 1t; and yet my plOwings In that
field have been ill-timed and boyish to
a degree
She shook her head.
II don't know how you measure sue
cess; it is a word OF so many, many
meanings. But / think you are your
own severest critic"
THAT may be, but the fact remains.
1t is only within the past few months
that I have begun to get a true ink
ling Of things: to kS~-- for ample,
that opportunities are things to be
compelled-rot waited for"
She was looking away from him
again.
Il am not that like you better
for your having discovered yourself. I
liked the other David Kent"
He smiled rather joylessly.
Somebody has said that for every
new point Of view gained we have to
sacrifice all the treasures OF the old
am sorry If 1 am disappointing you"
Il don't know that you are. And
yet, when you were sitting at Miss
Van Brooks table the other evening
the politicians I kept saying TO my
self that 1 didn't know you-that L
had never known you"
IT wish 1 knew just how to take
that" he said dubiously.
II wish I knew how to make you
understand" she returned: and then:
"I could have made the other David
Kent understand"
you are in duty bound to try &c
make this one understand. don't you
think? You spoke Of a danger which
was not the violent kind. such as Lor-
ing fears. What is it?"
you have had two whole days"
she rejoined- Haven't you discovered
II haven't found anything 70 fear
but failure" was his reply.
THAT is it; you have given II Q
name-its only true name-faIlura."
But 1 am not going to fail"
You mean you are going to take
our railroad away from these men
who have stolen 1t 70
That is what I mean"
And you will do II by threatening
to expose them?"
IT shall tell Governor Bucks what I
know about the oil field deal. assuring
him that shall publish the facts X
In ousting Judge MacFarlane and tha
receiver"
She rose and stood before him,
leaning against one OF the vine clad
porch pillars with her hands behind
her.
David Kent. are there any c4roun-
stances in which you would aocspt .
bribe? ?"
He answered her in all seriousness.
They say every man has his prices
mine Is higher than any bid they have
yet made-or can make, hoDAs
Why don't you let them brIbs
your" she asked cool1y. rs Il be-
cause 1t is inexpedient-becAuse thars
Is more success the other wayf~
He tried to emulats her oooinaGa
and made a failure OF II
Have done anything to mako YOu
think I had thrown common honesty
and self-respect overboard?'' he ds-
manded.
Her answer was another Qusstdon.
sharp edged and well thrust honA
Is 1t any worse to take q 6rfbe than
IL Is to give one7 You have rust ad-