The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-04-03

There are such people,, SAID Essex
in the same tone. Does she dislike
the idea of going to Paris. too?"
That seems to be it. We both
wanted to send her there, have her
voice trained, and put her in the way
of becoming a singer. Lepine, when he
was here, heard her and thought she
had the making of a prima donna
But" she suddenly looked at him with
a half puzzled expression of inquiry.
II think you know her-Miss Moreau?"
Essex looked back at her for mo-
ment with bafflingly expressionless
eyes
Yes I know her. She's a friend Of
Mrs. Willers'. one Of the Sunday edition
people on The Trumpet. A very hand
some and charming girl
That's the girl" said Bessie, men
tally admiring his perfect aplomb.
she's very fine girl, and. as you say,
handsome. But don't think she's got
much common sense. Girls don't, as a
rule, have more than enough to get
along on. But when they're poor, and
so alone in the world, they ought to
pick up a little"
Certainly, to refuse an offer such
as you speak of argues lack Of some
thing. Have you any idea of her rea-
son for refusing?''
He looked at Bessie as he propounded
the question, his eyelids lowered slight
ly. She, in her turn, let her keen gray
glance rest on him. The thought
flashed through her mind that it was
only another evidence of Mariposa's
popularity of disposition that she
should have refused so handsome and
attractive a man.
No she said with unrufI1ed plaei-
dity, II don't understand it. She's a
proud girl and objects to being under
obligations. But then this wouldn't be
an obligation. Apart from everything
else, there's no question about obliga
tions where singers and artists and
people like that are concerned. It's all
a matter of art"
"Art leyels all things" said the young
man glibly.
That's what / always thought. But
Miss Moreau doesn't seem to agree
with me. The most curious part of it
all is that she was willing to go in the
beginning. That was before her moth
er died; then she suddenly changed her
mind. wouldn't hear of it, and said
she'd prefer staying here in San Fran
cisco, teaching music at fifty cents a
lesson ] must say / was annoyed. I
had her here and talked to her quite
severely, but 1t didn't seem to make
any impression. was puzzled to death
to understand it. But after thinking
for a while, and wondering what could
make a girl prefer San Francisco and
teaching music at fifty cents a lesson
to Paris and being a prima donna, L
came to the conclusion there was only
enc thing could influence a woman to
that extent-there was a man in the
case"
She saw Essex. whose eyes were on
the fire. raise his brows by waysof
polite commentary on her words.
That sounds very plausible solu-
ton of the problem" he said. Loves
a deadly enemy to common sense"
That's the way it seemed to me.
She had fallen in love, and evidently
the man had not enough money to
marry on, or was in a poor position, or
something When / thought of that I
was certain I'd found the clew The
silly girl was going to- give UP every
thing for love. l suppose l ought to
have felt touched. But 1 really felt
sort of mad with her at first. After
ward. thinking it over, 1 decided it was.
not so foolish, and now I've veered
round so far that I'm inclined to- en-
courage it."
"On general principles you think do
mesticity is better for woman than
the glare of the footlights ?"
mo, rot that way. 1 think gift
To ~ he
cultivated and given to the public.
never had any sympathy with that
man in the Bible who buried his talent
in the ground. / think talents were
made TO be used. What 1 thought was,
why shouldn't Mariposa marry the
man she cared for and go with him to
Paris? 1t would be much better ar
rangement all round. She isn't very
smart or capable, and she's young and
childish for her years. Don't you think
she 10. Mr.. Essex?"
Essex again raised his eyebrows and
locked into the fire.
YES" he said in dubious tone.
Eyes, l suppose she is. She is certainly
not a sophisticated or worldly person"
That's just it. She's green-green
about everything. Some way or other
l didn't like the thought of sending her
off there by herself, where she didn't
know a soul. And then she's so hand
some. If she was ugly it wouldn't mat
ter so much But she's very good-lo look
ing, and when you add that to her
being so inexperienced and green about
everything you begin to realize the re-
sponsibility of sending her alone to a
strange country, especially Paris
Paris is not a city" commented her
companion, where young, beautiful
and unprotected females are objects of
public protection and solicitude."
That's the reason why 1 want. now,
to encourage this marriage. With
husband that she loves take care of
her, everything would be smooth sail
ing She'd be happy and not home
sick or strange. He'd be there with
her, to watch over her anG probably
help her with her studies. Perhaps he
could get some position, just to occupy
his time. Besides, so far as money
went, I'd see to it that they were we'll
provided for during the time she was
preparing. Lepine said that he thought
tu-o or threa wears would he sufficient