The San Francisco call., 1905-04-30
Queen Cophueta
By Keith Gordon

sBut what about the woman-the
poor rich woman? Perhaps-perhaps
she might hate her riches-she might
just loathe them. But what could she
do? Perhaps they came to her and she
could not get rid of them any more
than she could change the color Of her
eyes or the shape of her nosei And
what if-in spite of it all-she loved
you? Shouldn't you consider her at
all?'
Great Scott" exclaimed Askew
with mock dismay. How did we ever
get into such a sentimental discussion
two good comrades like you and me?
By the way" he went on quickly, have
j happened to mention to, you that I'm
going off for while, possibly for
good? It's an excellent business offer,
but IL takes me to the other side of the
continent. l have not actually decided,
but l shall doubtless accept 1t. Indeed,
1 can scarcely afford not to for several
reasons"
He did not look at her and she was
thankful for even that small sign of
perturbation on his part. A quick reso-
luticn seized her. 1t was leap year
blessed thought-and why should not a
woman, once in a thousand years or
so, stand up and demand her own as
fearlessly and directly as man would
do? Had she not, by every vile that
woman may use tried to make him ac-
knowledge his love for her? Never
never-never would he ask her to mar
~ him because of her millions. Well.
then, she would ask him,
The first tumult of her resolution
over, she felt a strange exhilaration.
Even the thought that intruded itself
like a specter between them-the pos
sibility that she might have mistaken
his feeling toward her-did not deter
her.
If she were rejected? Well, she
had rejected a number of men in
her day and there would be a certain
poetical justice in his melting out to
her what she had meted out to themi
You might light a cigar if you have
one about you,' she suggested whim
sically. 1T would be a favor to me
IL you would. Men are always more
approachable when they're smoking,
aren't they?"
Askew smiled assent and complied
with her request. Then he paused
with the lighted cigar between his
fingers and gave her long look. which
She returned unfiinchingly. With an
effort she began to speak.
Duncan" she said bravely, II
have something to tell you. Perhaps
not another woman in the world would
do 1t and perhaps you'll hate me for
it"
Hate you!,' he interrupted in a
Voice whose derisiye incredulity was
music TO her ears. Hate youi 1 can
imagine good many things, but not
that"
WELL" her voice was slightly un-
certain, but her eyes looked into his
without wavering. you see, there is a
poor rich girl-a girl that has loads of
money and who just hates 1t because
it is always cutting her off from all
the things-and people she cares
for"
Poor thingl" sighed Askew mock
ingly. What pity she can't divide
with mel"
That's just what she wants to do"
leaped from her lips. "She wants to
give it all to youl You see-I-Im
speaking for her. She isn't in the
habit of saying things-like this-to
men and she doesn't know exactly
how to do iti''
But she wants you to know that
she thinks you the one man in the
world-that her faith in you is SO
great that she even dares to tell you
that-she-loves-yo - be-
cause she knows that il she has made
a mistake and you do not care for
her you will be as truthful with her
as she has been with YOU"
Donald Askew sat as il stupefied
while the struggle between pride ano
love went on within him. To be pointed
out as the man who married the ricf
Miss Vance-to have II said of him that
he had feAthered his nest well-these
and kindred possibilities rose UP in his
mind and CALLED his spirit beyond en-.
durance.
Then his vision cleared and he saw
nothing-was conscious Of nothing ir
the world but a proud, sensitive face
covered with womanly shame. Before
that vision his pride went down, and
leaning forward he buried his face ii
her lap. A moment later her lips
touched his hair.
I'm a brute-a perfect brute!" h,
groaned. "to have made you do it,"
You're the brute love, though,
was the whispered answer.