The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-11

FACE. but he never misses a dinner. The
Semitic-looking young man opposite,
who seems 10 have been committing
you 10 memory piecemeal, will tell you
that he was never so bored in all his
lie as he has Leen here. Yet he stays.
They all stay"
And You yourself?"
BTendon laughed.
oh. We are also under the spell, he
declared, but 1 think that We are
here mainly because it is cheap. II is
really cheap. you know. To appre-
ciate il you should try rooms.
is this fair sample Of the din
ner?" Anna asked, who had the
healthy appetite Of strong young
woman.
1t is. if anything, a little above the
average" Brendon admitted.
Anna said nothing. The young man
opposite was straining his ears to lis
ten 10 their conversation. Mrs. White
caught her eye and smiled benignly
down the table.
Il hope that Mr.. Courtlaw is looking
after you, Miss Pellissier," she said.
Admirably, thank YOU" Anna an
swered.
The young lady with frizzled hair,
whom Brendon had pointed out to her
as Miss EllicOt, leaned forward from
her hostess side. She had very frizzy
hair indeed, very black eyebrows, a
profusion of metallic adornments about
her neck and waist and an engaging
smile.
We are so interested to hear, Miss
Pellissier." she said, that you have
been living in Paris. We shall expect
you to tell us all what to wear
Anna smiled very family and shook
her head.
Il have come from a very unfashion-
able quarter" she said, and 1 do not
think that I have been inside a milli-
ner's shop for a year. Besides, it is all
reversed now, YOU know. Paris copies
London"
Brendon leaned over confidentially.
You are in luck. Miss Pellissier," he
declared. Your success here is abso-
lutely meteOric. Miss Ellicot has
spoken TO you, the great Mr.. Building
is going to. For five minutes he has
been trying to think of something to
say. am not sure, but I believe that
he has just thought Of something"
May 1 be prepared" Anna asked.
Which is Mr.. Bullding?"
Stout old gentleman four places
down on the left. Look out, it's COM
ing"
Anna raised her eyes and caught the
earnest gaze of an elderly gentleman
with a double chin, a protuberant I'M
ACl llp anu d SllulL-SldlllC0 COdl
II was in Paris four years ago." Mr..
Building announced solemnly. 1T
rained the whole of the time, but we
saw all the sights and the place never
seemed dull"
ct takes a great deal of bad weather
to depress the true Partisan" Anna
admitted.
"A volatile temperament-yes a vol
atile temperament" Mr.. Building re-
nit, fIoa nh
1t is pity that as nations we are not
more friendly"
Anna nodded and turned again to
Courtlaw.
Il will not be drawn into a conversa-
ton with Mr.. Building" she declared.
Il believe that he would bore me. Tell
me, what are these bananas and nuts
for?'
Dessert"
Anna laid down her serviette
Let US escape" she said. Couldn't
we three go out and have some coffee
somewhere? The thought Of that
drawing-room paralyzes me-"
Brendon laughed softly.
I'VE can" he said, "and we will But
ii is only fair to warn you that it isn't
expected. Mrs. White is proud of her
drawing-room evenings. There is a
musical programme, and we have the
windows open and the blinds up, and
a pink lamp shade over the piano
Tampa sort of advertisement of the
place, you know. Strangers look in
and long, and neighbors are moved to
envy"
Anna hesitated no longer. She al
most sprang to her feet. Conscious Of
Mrs. Whites surprise as she swung
easily down the room, followed by the
two young men, she smiled a careless
explanation at her.
Il am dying to renew my acquaint-
ance with London, Mrs. White" she
remarked.
You are not going out-this evening,
I trust" that lady asked, a trif1e dis
mayed.
Anna did not pause. but she looked
over her shoulder with slightly lifted
eyebrows.
why not? They tell me that London
is impossible till after 10, and I want
my first impressions to be favorable"
There viii be some coffee and music
IN the drawing-room in a few minutes"
Mrs. White said.
Thanks, I'm not very fond Of cof-
fee" Anna answered, land I hate
music. Good night"
Mrs. White gasped, and then stiff
ened. Miss Ellicot, who sang ballads
and liked Brandon to turn over the
pages for her, tossed her head. Anna
passed serenely out.