The San Francisco call., 1904-03-20

Copyright 1905. the Bobbs-M Merrill cOmpany)
~ Ut that's all over now. You
u need never be lonely again.
hA I'll always be there to take
~ care of you. Wen always be
together"
Don't you think things often change
when they get to their very worst? 1t
seemed TO me tonight that I was just
TO o9en a door that led into the world,
where nobody cared for me, or knew
me. or wanted me-"
zone person wanted you desperate
Iy."
And then. all in a mon1ent, my
whole life is changed. It's not an hour
ago that I was sitting here looking into
the FIRE thinking how miserable I was.
and now"
''YCu are in my armsi" he inter
rupted. and drew her against him for
his kiss. She turned her face away
and pressed il into his shoulder, as he
held her close. and said:
Wen go TO Europe, TO Italy-that's
the country for you, not this raw
Western town where you're like some
exotic blossom growing in the sand
You've never seen anything like it,
with the gray olive trees like smoke on
the hillsdes, and the white walls of
the villas shining among the expresses.
Wen have a villa, and We can walk on
the terrace in the evening and look
down on the valley of the Arno. It's
the place for lovers. and were going to
be lovers. Mariposa."
Still she did rCt understand, and said
happily:
Yes. true lovers for always"
And then weu go to France, and
Wen see Paris-au the great squares
with the lights twinkling. and the Rue
de Rivoli with gas lamps strung along
il Ike diamonds on a thread. And the
river-it's black at night with the
bridges arching over it, and the lamps
stabhing down into the water with long
golden zigzags. Wen go to the the
aters and TO the opera, and you'll be
the handsCmest woman there. And
wen drive home in an open carria ge
under the starlight, not saying much,
becau use Wen be so happy"
Ard shall / study singing?"
"Of course, with the best masters.
Youu be a great prima donna some
dsv"
Ard ! sha'n't have to be sent by
Mr.. Shackletcn? Oh. 1 shall be so glad
10 ten him I'm going with you"
Essex started-looked at her frown-
ing
But you mustn't DO that" he said
with sudden authoritative change OF
key.
why not?" she answered. You
know he was to send me. / promised
my mother I would let him take care
Of re. But now that I'm going to be
married. my-my-husband will take
care Of me-"
She locked at MIN with a girls
charming embarrassment at the first
fitting Of this word to any breathing
man. and blushed deeply and beauti-
fully Essex felt he must disillusion
her He looked into the fire.
Married" he said slowly. We'll, OF
course. If We were married."
lie stopped. gave her lightning
side-glance. She was smiling.
Wei. OF course, we'll be married.
she said. How could we go to Europe
unless We were?'
StIl avoiding her eyes, which ht
knew were fixed on him in smiling in.
quiry. he said in a lowered voice:
oh, yes. we could"
Howl don't understand"
For the first time there was a fain
note Of uneasiness in her voice Thougl
his glance was still bent on the fire
he knew that she was no longer smil
ing.
We could go easily, without maxim,
any talk or fuss. OF course we coul'
not leave here together I'd meet yol
in Chicago or New York"
He heard her dress rustic as she in
stinctiveiy drew away from him.
Meet me ia New York or Chicago Z?
she repeated. But why meet m
there2 ] dca't understand Why no
be married here?"
He turned toward her and threw u
his head as a person does who is goin
to speak emphatically and at length
Only IN raising his head his eyes re
maiaed on the ground.
Ny dear girl" he said in a suav
tone. you've lived all your life i
these small. half-civilized CaIiforni
towns. and there are many things abou
life in larger and more advanced com
munities you don't understand. Fv
just told you ] loved you, and 70
know that your welfare is Of more mo
ment 70 me than anything in the worlC
7 would give my hearts blood to max
you hc- py. But am just now hardl
in a position TO marry. You must ur
derstand that"
1t was sale Mariposa gave a low ez
clsmation and rose to her feet. II
rose too. feeling angry with ser II"