The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-25
Tcopyrisht 1905. by Little. Brown q Col

IA that. is it not?"
no" he answered readily. at is
not that. The idea Of your being a
failure would never have occurred
TO me-"
Then why are you sorry that ! am
going to the Universal? do not un-
derstand."
Their eyes met for 2 moment his
face was very serious.
7 am sorry,T he said slowly. why,
do not know"
I positively insist upon knowing"
she declared cheerfully. The sooner
you tell me the better"
1T is very hard TO explain" he an
swered. II think that il is only an
idea. Only YOU seem to me since the
time when I knew you in Paris TO
have changed-tO have changed in
some subtle manner which 1 find at
times utterly bewildering. 1 find you
al impenetrable enigma. 1 md it i'm
possible 10 associate you with-my lit
Tie friend Of the ambassadors. The
things she said and did from you
seem impossible. I had sort OF
icea." he went on, that you were
seemed awfully plucky.'
There was a long silence. Then
Anna spoke more seriously than usual
Il think" she said, that 1 rather
Ike what you have said. Don't be
afraid TO go on thinking it. Even
though ! ann going 10 sing at the
Universal you may find that the
'Alcide whom YOU know in Paris does
not exist any more. At the same
time" she added i'm a suddenly altered
tone, lit isn't anything whatever TO
O. with you, is lt2'
why not" be answered. You
permitted me then 10 call you my
friend. ! do not intend 10 allow you
10 forget"
They passed a man who stared at
them curiOusly. EnnisOn started and
locked anxiously at Anna. She was
quite unconcerned.
Did you see who that was?" he
asked in a low tone,
i did not recognize him." Anna
answered. L supposed that he took
or his hat 10 YOU
1T was Cheveney!" he said slowly.
"Cheveney!" she repeated. Il do
not know any one of that name"
lie caught her wrist and turned her
face toward him. Her eyes were wide
open with amazenent-
Mr.. EnuisOni'
lie released her.
Good Cod" he exclaimed. WHO
are yoU-Annabel Peilissier or her
ghost"
Anna laughed.
II it is a choice between the two, .
she answered, i must be Annabel Pei
llssier. ] am certainly no ghost"
You have ler face and figure" he
mUttered. You have even her name.
Yet you can look Cheveney IN the face
IA, . 4 Ia
You have changed from the veriest
butterfly TO a Woman-you wear diff
ferent clothes. you have the air OF
another world. II you do not help
mo 20 read the riddle Of yourself, An
Mabel. / think that very soon I shall
be a candidate Tor the asylum
She laughed heartily. and became as
eudderiy grave
so AIr. Cheveney was another Paris
friend. was he?" she asked.
Don't befool re any more" he an
swered. almost roughly If any one
should knoN-y0u should lie was
your friend. We were only-les au-
tres"
'.That is quite untrue" she declared
cheerlully Il certainly knew him no
better Than you"
Then Ee-and Paris-lied,". Ennison
snsU cred
THAT" she answered, is far easier
TO believe. You are too creduious"
Ennison had things to say, but he
looked at her AID held his tongue.
They turned the last corner and al
most Immediately a man who had been
standing there turned and struck En-
nison e violent blow on the cheek. En-
uison reeled and almost fell. Recover
ing himself quickly his instinct Of self
defense was quicker than his recollec-
ton Of Annals presence. He struck
out from the shoulder and the man
measured his length upon the pave
n1ent.
Anna sprang lightly away across the
street. BrenGon and Courtlaw. who
had been watching for her, met her at
the door. She pointed across the road.
Please go and see that-nothing
happens" she pleaded.
1T is the first moment we have let
him out Of our sight" Brendon ex-
claimed, as he FASTENED across the
street.
Hin sat UP on the pavement and
rnopped the blood from his cheek. En-
nison's signet ring had cut nearly 10
the bone
what the devil do you mean by
coming for ne like that?" Ennison ex-
claimed, glowering down upon him.
Serves you right IL I'd cracked your
skull"
Hi looked UP at him, an unkempt,
rough-loCldng object, with broken col
lar, tumbled hair and the blood slowly
dripping from his face.
What do you mean, hanging round
with my wife," he answered fiercely.
Ennison looked down on him IN dis
gust.
You silly fool" he said. Il know
nothing about your wife The young
lady ] was with is not married at all.
Why don't you make sure before you
rush out like that upon a stranger"
You were with my wife," Hill re-
pested sullenly. i suppose you're like
the rest Of them. Call her Miss Pellis-
sier, eh2 I tell you she's my wife and
I've got the certificate in my pocket"
I don't know who you are" Ennison
said quietly, but you are thunder
ing liar"
bill staggered to his feet ard drew