The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-25

Ennison sprang up, but he never
reached the curtains. They were sud
denly thrown aside and man stepped
: out from his hiding place. A little ex-
, clamation of surprise escaped Ennison.
Anna sprang to her feet with startled
cry.
"Youl" she exclaimed. what are
you doing here? How dare you come
| to my roomSi"
The man stepped into the middle
Of the room. The last few months
had not dealt kindly with Mr.. Mon
tague Hill. He was still fashily
dressed, with much obvious 1ewelry
and the ShinieSt of patent boots, Dut
his general bearing and appearance
had altered for the worse. His cheeks
, were puffy and his eyes bloodshot. he
had the appearance of a man VINO nao
known no rest for many nights. HIS
voice when he spoke was almost
fiercely aSSertiVe, but there was an I'M
dernote of nervousness.
why not?" he exclaimed. II have
the right to be here. 1 hid because
there was no other way of seeing you.
1 did not reckon upon-him."
He pointed to Ennison, who in his
turn looked across at Anna
You wish me to stay?" he asked In
a low tone
Il would not have you go for any
thing" she answered.
Nevertheless, Hill said doggedly.
II am here to speak to you alone"
IF you do not leave the room at
once" Anna answered calmly. II shall
ring the bell for a policeman"
He raised his hand and they saw
that he was holding a small revolver.
You need not be alarmed he
said. Il do not wish to use this. L
came here peaceably and 1 only ask
for a few words with you. But L
mean to have them. No, you don't!"
Ennison had moved stealthily lit
tie nearer to him and looked suddenly
into the dark muzzle of the revolver.
IF you interfere between u.s. the
man said, cit will go hardlyiwith you.
This lady is my wife and I have a
right to be here. have the right also
to throw you out"
Ennison obeyed Annals gesture and
was silent.
You can say what you have to say
before Mr.. Ennison, if at ALL Anna
declared calmly. I'm any case, 1 de-
cline to see you alone"
Very WELL" the man answered. II
have come to tell you this: You are
my wife and 1 am determined to
claim you. We were properly mar
ried and the certificate is at my law
yerS. / am not mailman, or
pauper or even an unreasonable per-
son. I know that you were disap-
pointed because l did not turn out to
be q millionaire. Perhaps 1 deceived
you about it. However, that's over
and done with. I'll make any reason
able arrangement you like. I don't
want to stop your singing. You can
live just about how you like. But you
belong to me-and 1 want YOU"
He paused for a moment and then
suddenly continued. His voice had
broken. He spoke in quick, nervous
sentences.
You did your best to kill me-" he
said. You might have given me
chance, anyway. I'm not such bad
scrt. You know worship you. I
have done so from the first moment
/ saw you. l can't rest or work or
settle down to anything while things
are like this between you and me.
want you. I've got to have you, and
by God 1 will"
He took a quick step forward. Anna
held out her hand and he paused.
There was something which chilled
even him in the cold impassivity Of
her features.
Listen she said. ct have heard
these things from you before, and you
have had my answer. Understand once
and for all that that answer is final.
l do not admit the truth OF a word
which you have said. I will not be
prosecuted in this way by you"
You do not deny that you are my
wife," ne asked hoarsely. You can
not. Oh, you cannot"
IT have denied it," she answered.
"Why will you not be sensible7 Go
back to your old life and your old
friends and forget all about Paris and
this absurd delusiOn of yours
"Delusion!" he muttered, glazing at
her "DeluSion!"
You can call 1t what you like" she
said. I'm any case you will never re-
ceive any different sort of answer from
me. Stay where you are Mr.. Ennison."
With swift movement she gained
the bell and rang it. The mans hand
flashed out. but Immediately afterward
an oath and cry of pain broke from
his lips. The pistol fell to the floor
Ennison kicked it away with his foot
II shall send for policeman" Anna
said, directly my maid answers the
bell-unless you choose to go before
The man made no attempt to recover
the revolver. He walked unsteadily
toward the door.
Every WELL" he said, IT will go. But"
and he faced them both with a still ex-
pressionless glance, this is not the
end!"
Anna recovered her spirits with mar
velous facility. 1t was Ennison who
for the rest Of his visit was quiet and
eubdued.
You are absurd" she declared. 1T
was unpleasant while it lasted, but it
Is overland my toasted scenes are de-
Ncious. Do have another"
"It is over for now" he answered
~but 1 cannot bear to think that you
are subject to this sort of thing
She shrugged her shoulders slightly.
Some Of the delicate color which the
afternoon walk had brought into her
cheeks had already returned.
1T Is an annoyance, my friend"
she said, mot a tragedy"
'It might become one" he answered.
'The man is dangerous"
She looked thoughtfully into the fire.
st am afraid" she said. that he
must have a skeleton key to these
II shau have To lan1ze >,