The San Francisco call., 1904-08-21

IT left you in Paris because my own
people had need of me. Do me the JUS
tice to admit that it was an excellent
reason. saw my country neglected by
the man in whom she had put her
trust, the victim Of charlatans. the tool
of France. and 1 knew that could
save her. So 1 returned to Paris-the
occupations of my leisure were forgot
ten. If am to-day. as yesterday, the
servant Of science. devoJed heart and
soul to the tasks which nature sets me,
duty has a greater claim. You, last OF
all, viii blame me for that; 1 am here
as patriot have no other interests
That is my story in a word. 1t is a
simple story. camarade-as simple as
the story Of your own misfortune.
which 1 am waiting to hear. Please sit
down and tell me all about it; can see
that you are very tired"
She sat. as he directed. in a high
backed chair upon the opposite side OF
the table. The light shone down upon
her face and declared it's pallor. He
thought her beautiful even in her dis
tress; but the beauty was her own and
owed nothing now to his art.
Since you know that my story is a
simple one. why do you ask me to tell
it?" she exclaimed, a little petulantly.
I'VE are not children, and do not wish
to deceive ourselves. When you left
me in Paris you knew that 1 should be-
come Arthur's wife. Your sister told
me as much"
Then my sister had done better to
hold her tongue-let us begin with that.
1t is the misfortune Of women that
their economies do not concern their
condolences. They should be seen and
not heard. camarade. There should be
a decree Of silence for them. My sister
had no right to tell you any such
thing
Then you did not wish it, Doctor
Xavier
He rested his arm upon the table and
searched her eyes with his own as
though to catch her closest thoughts.
I answer neither yes nor no he
said frankly; with any other than a
Medina Cell, I would have said yes
But 1 know men, and am beginning
to know women. Let me read your
thoughts for you, camarade. You are
saying that 1 inveigled you to my
house that this intrigue might help me.
Is it not so-ah, see how your sex be-
trays you'll Behold the conspirator
against whom such things are
charged"
He laughed softly at his own humor,
and. the bright light appearing to
trouble him. he turned out the lamps
again until but one was burning.
NO" he resumed, ''it was not that,
my friend-I pledge you my honor.
took you to my house that I might
crafty a curiosity with which my la
boratory troubled me. I found you a
willing wOrker-let it be admitted You
have helped me to say that, under GER
tain conditions, what we call beauty
lies within the reach Of every woman
Tonight I go a step further and dis
cover how elusive that possession is.
1 say that twenty hours Of trouble will
undo the work Of many months. I
find you, camarade, as found you in
London; but am honest enough to al
low that you are still a beautiful wo-
man, perhaps more beautiful because
you are yourself. So does grief play
its part; but my secrets are yours, and
when grief is forgotten the gift will re-
main. Whether that day is near or
distant depends largely upon your own
common sense. 1t would be unfatter-
ing to your sagacity to remind you
that your precipitate haste has
wrought great mischief both for your
husband and yourself. Had I foreseen
it certainly should not have left you
with him in Paris. AS it Is, I say that
there is no time to be lost. We must
save him, you and I, camarade-save
him from himselfi'
He appeared to rouse himself to some
warmth of regard for the friend who
was in danger, and Esther, reciprocal
ting his interest gladly, did not fear to
be grateful
Il was sure from the first It would be
that" she said, excited already by his
implied promise. you did not come
here to speak Of his past; you came to
tell me that you are his friend Every
thing else is waste Of time. Arthur
has always such faith In you. I know
it will be Justified You can save him II
you will, Doctor Xavierl"
She looked him straight in the face
like one who would trust him without
question:; but he could not meet the
gaze Of her ardent eyes, and she knew
then that she had been premature.
II did not come here to speak OF
your husbands past-true," he said
slowly; that will speak for itself, and
it must be heard, camarade. Let US
continue with our confessions: they
may guide US to q better understand
ing. When first perceived, in London.
that you had interested a man whom
many women had tried to interest and
failed, I dismissed the observation as
fallacious one. The circumstances.
I said, were unreal. the impression
false. You ask me why, and will tell
you as bluntly. We are a superstitiOus
people and the vulgar among US find
our consolation in a lie. Our religion.
which is the peoples life, conveys
many truths Of human nature: one Of
them Is the truth Of womanhood and
maternity which we embody in that