The San Francisco call., 1904-02-14

brute of a Bob Carewe. Then, too
you're more or less the town model cl
virtue and popular hero, in spite OF ths
abolitionism, just as I am the tOWI
scamp. So 1 let it go on, and played-a
little at being you. saying the things
that you only think-that was all.
isn't strange that it's lasted until now
not more than three weeks, after all.
She's only seen you four or five times,
and me not much oftener. No one
speaks of you to her, and I've kept out
of sight when others were about Mrs.
Tanberry is her only close friend, and
naturally, wouldn't be apt TO mention
that you are dark and I am fair, or 10
describe US personally. any more than
you and I would mention the general
appearance Of people we both meet
about town. But you needn't tell me
that 1T can't last much longer. Some
petty, unexpected trifie will turn up, Of
course. All that 1 want to know is
what you mean to do"
ITO do?" repeated Tom softly. and
blew a long scarf of smoke out Of the
window.
"Ah!" Crailey's voice grew sharp
and loud. There are many things you
needn't tell mel You need not tell me
what I've done to you-nor what you
think Of mel You need not tell me
that you have others to consider; that
you have Miss Carewe to think of.
Don't you suppose I know that? And
you need not tell me that you have a
duty to Fanchon-"
I'll ,~f
quite steady. Yes, I've thought Of
that"
"WeH?"
Have you-did you" he hesitated.
but Crailey understood Immediately.
mo; haven't seen her again"
But you"
"Yes-I wrote. I answered the let
ter"
As"
YES; signed your name. told you
that had just let things go on" Crai-
ley answered, with an impatient move
ment of his hands. What are you GO
ing to do?''
I'm going over to see the Governor
in the morning. III be away two or
three days, imagine
''Vanrevel!" exclaimed Crailey hotly.
'Will you give me an answer and not
beat about the bush any longer? Or
do you mean that you refuse to an
swer?"
Tom dropped his cigar upon the brick
window-ledge with an abysmal sigh.
"Oh, no, 1T isn't that" he answered
mildly. I've been thinking il all over
for three days in the country. and
when 1 got back tonight / found that
I had come to a decision without know
ing IT, and that had come to It even
before started; my leaving the letter
for you proved it. It's a little Ike this
Mexican war, a mixed-up problem and
only one thing clear. A few schemers
have led the country into it to in
crease the slave power and make US
forget that we threatened England
when we couldn't carry out the threat
And yet II you look at 1T broadly. these
are the smaller things and they do not
last The means by which the country
grows may be wrong. but It's growth is
right; 1t is only destiny, working out
through lies and blood, but the end will
be good. 1t is bound to happen and
you can't stop 1t. I believe the men
who make this war for their own uses
will suffer In hell fire for it; butsit is
made. and there's only one thing 1 can
see as the thing for me to do. They've
called me every name on earth-and the
same with you, too, Crailey-because
I'm an abolitionist, but now, whether
the country has sinned or not. good
many thousand men have got to do the
bleeding for her, and / want to be one
OF them. That's the one thing that is
plain to me-"
Yes" returned Crailey. You know
I'm with you; and I think You're al
ways right. Yes; we'll all be on the
way in fortnight or so. Do you mean
you won't quarrel with me because Of
that? Do you mean 1t would be a poor
time now, when we're all going out to
take our chances together?"
Quarrel with youi' Tom rose and
came to the desk, looking across 1t at
his friend. Did you think might do
that?"
"Yes-I thought so.''
"CraileyI" And now Toms expression
showed desperation; 1t was that OF a
man whose apprehensions have culmi-
mated and who Is forced to face a crisis
long expected, long averted, but immi-
nent at last. His eyes fell from Graf
ley's clear gaze and his hand fdgeted
among the papers on the desk.
NO" he began with a painful lame
ness and hesitation. 'I did not mean
it-no; meant, that, in the same way.
only one thing in this other-this other
affair that seems so confused and is
such a problem-only one thing has
grown clear. 1t doesn't seem to me
that-that-" here he drew q deep
breath, before he went on with increas-
ing nervousness-"that If you like a
man and have lived with him a good
many years; that is to say, If you're
really much Of a friend to him, don't
believe you sit on high seat and Judge
him. Judging, and all that. haven't t
much part in it. And 1t seems to me
that you've got yourself into a pretty
bad mix-up, Crailey."
YES" said Crailey. SIS pretty
bad
Well" Tom looked up now, with an
almost tremulous smile, II believe that