The San Francisco call., 1904-02-07

overcome by mirth in which she did
not join. Her gravity reacted upon him
At once, and his laughter was stopped
short will you not accept me as an
escort TO vour homer he said for
mally.
I 90 not know" she returned simply.
the sort Of honest trouble IN her glance
that is seen only in very young eyes
What reason in the world" he re-
turned. with a crafty sharpness Of as
q tOnishment.
She continued 70 gaze upon him
thoughtfully, while he tried TO look into
her eyes but was baffied because ths
radiant beams from the lady's orbs (as
the elder Chenoweth might have said)
rested somewhere dangerously near his
chin. which worried him. for, though
his chin made no retreat and vas far
from Unlocking. il was. nevertheless.
that feature which he most distrusted-
Won't YOU tell me why nOt?" he re-
peated. unessily.
Because" she answered at last,
speaking hesitatingly. because it isn't
so easy q matter for me as you seem TO
think You have not been introduced
70 me, and I know you never will be.
and that what you told me was true"
Which part OF what I told your
The question escaped from him instan-
o ter.
That the others might come when
they liked. but that you could not
"Oh. yes, yes" His expression altered
20 a sincere detection: his shoulders
- swH 41d ell
prerne annoyance. 4 might have
known some one would tell youi Who
was It? Did they say why ="
''On account OF your quarrel with my
father"
MY quarrel with your fsther!" he
exclaimed: and his face lit with an
elated surprise; his shoulders straight
sned He took 2 step nearer her. and
asked eagerly: Who told you that?"
Ny father himself He spoke Of a
Mr. Vanrevel whom he disliked, and
whom I must not meet: and. remem-
bering what you said, OF course knew
that you were he"
"Oh!" Crailey's lips began to form q
smile OF such inimitable sweet
ness that Voltaire would have trusted
him; a smile altogether rose leaves.
Then ] lose you" he said. for my
only chance 10 know you was in keep
ing il hidden from you. And now you
understand"
no" she answered gravely. Il don't
understand; that is what troubles me.
III did and believed you had the right
Of the difference. I could believe II no
sir that you should speak 20 me, should
take me home now. I think il is wrong
not 10 act from your own understanding
OF things"
The young man set his expression as
one indomita bly, fixed upon the course
Of honor. cost what il might; and, in
the very action, his lurking pleasure in
doing IL hoped out in the flicker Of a
twinkle in his eyes. and as instantly
sought cover sgain-the flea in /
rose-jsr.
Then you must ask some other" he
said. firmly a disinterested person
should tell you The difference was
political in the beginning. but became
personal afterward; and 1t is now g
quarrel which can never be patched up
though. Tor my part, / wish that II
could be. ] can say no more, because q
party 10 it should not speak"
She met his level look sQuarely al
last: and no man ever had a more
truthful pair of eyes than Crailey Gray,
for Il was his great accomplishment
that he could adjust his emotion. his
reason and something that might be
c@Hed his faith. 70 fit any situation in
any character
You NAV take me home" she an
swered- Il may be wrong. and even
oisloyal: but I DO not feel il so now.
You did a very brave thing tonight to
save him from Joss. and ] think that
what you have said was just what you
should have said"
So ~thev went down the street, the
hubbub and confusion OF the fire grow
ing more and more indistinct behind
them. They walked slowly, and. for a
time. neither spoke: yet the silence