The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-04-23

have changed my mind and settled
Allegra's affairs another way"
She watched the pair as they
parted. The dropping sun danced in
tiny flashes from the brass buttons on
Shelley's blue coat. Poor philoso-
pheri" she soliloQuized with plying
tolerance. You are going back to
your humdrum Pisa. your books and
your Mary. The world attracts you
no more now with your money than
it did when we found you in the
debtors prison. Well, every one to
his taste! l wonder why you always
troubled yourself about George Cor
DON"
Her eyes narrowed as they fingered
on the other figure, turning alone into
the forest road from which her
wagonette had come.
Il would like to see your lordship's
half aloud. My authority is the
converts now. You may take your
daughter-if you cam"
Not till both riders were out of sight
did the wagonette draw into the high
way.
Jane .Clermont rode on, humming
an air, looking curiously at the vari-
Gus vehicles that passed her on the
smooth, well-traveled road. thinking
Will (ll the SIle naQ seen
riding to Bagnacavallo. She had
guessed the object of Shelley's trip to
Venice, but the knowledge had not at
first stirred her natural and self-ab-
sorbed indifference. 1t was a ma
licious afterthought, gratuitous
spice of venom springing more from
an instructive maleficence than from
any deeper umbrage that had inspired
that parting visit TO the convent The
IN Ice hot IL
herself of Gordon's fruitless journey
was distinctly feline.
A mile from the town her reflec-
tions were abruptly broken. She spoke
to the driver and he stopped.
A sweating horse was approaching.
Its trappings were of ostentatious
gaudiness. The face of the man it
carried was swarthy and mustachioed
and his bearing had the effect of.
f1amboyant and disordered bragga-
docio.
3Trevanion," she exclaimed with
an accent of surprise. She had not
seen him for two years. AS she
watched her face showed a certain
amusement.
He would possibly have passed her
by, for his gaze was set straight ahead.
but when he came opposite she leaned
from the carriage and spoke his name
His horse halted instantly; a hot
red leaped into his Oriental cheeks, a
look fierce and painful into his eyes.
He sat still, looking at her without
word.
4 thought you were in England"
he said at length.
$50 1 was till last fall. Since. I've
been at Pisa with the Shelleys. But
i ind the Continent precious dull. |
see you haven't been caught yet for
deserving from the navy. Is that WHY
you don't stay in London? Tell me-"
she asked suddenly; where is George
Gordon now?"
I'm Venice"
Really" Her voice had a kind OF
measured mockery that did not cloak
its satire. And yet 1 hear of his do
lngS IN many other places-Lucca, Bo-
logna, all the post towns. From the
descriptions, judge he has changed.
not only in looks but in habits"
He WINGED and made no reply.
Pshaw.' she said, scorn suddenly
showing. Don't you think 1 guessed?
Gulling few travellers in the post
houses with a brawling impersona-
ton! Suppose million should think
George Gordon the tasteiess roust-
about ruffian you make him out?
What do you gain? One of these days
some tourist friend of his-Mr Hob
house, for instance; he used to be a
great traveler-will put sharp end to
your play"
;, I'm risk that" he threw her. "And
I'd risk morel''
How you hate himi"
He laughed-a hard, daredevil sound.
Haven't cause enough?''
Not so far as / know. But I wish
you luck, If the game pleases you. It's
nothing to me-
1T was something to you, once" he
said, wasn't it?'
She smiled amusedly. How tragic
you always were! He was never more
to me than that'-she snapped her
fingers Consistency is too heavy a role.
always preferred lighter parts.
am going to play in America WHY
don't you turn stroller and act to some
purpose? Why not try New York;
While she spoke her tone had
changed. 1t had become softer more
musical Her lashes dropped with we'll
gagged coquetry.
Look" she said. in lower key; lam
as handsome as used to be at Drury
Lane-when you said you'd like to see
the world with mey'
smoldering fire kindled in his ewes
as he gazed at her. He half leaned
from the saddle-half put out his hand.
But at his movement she dropped the
mask. She laughed in open scorn. "a
fig for your hatei" she exclaimed con-
temptuously. Il have no liking for
George Gordon, but he was never a
sneak at any ratei"
The man to whom she spoke struck
savage spurs to his horse. AS he
wheeled, she swept him a curtsy from
the carriage seat. Joe to your taskl"
she cried, and drove on with her lips
curled.
He doesn't know Gordon is near
Ravenna," she thought presently. IF
he gives one OF his free entertainments
at the inn tonight. there may be an
interesting meeting. What a pity /
shall miss it," and she laughed.
A little further on the carriage turn
ed to the westward toward the Swiss
frontier.
As Trevanion refined the animal he be-
STROBE to its launches at the porch
OF the osteria, where Jane Cler-
mont's wagonette had waited. he
looked back along the road with
muttered curse. Then he kicked a
sleeping hound from the stem and
went in with an assumed linn and
a swagger. anu
Two hours later, when the early dusk
had fallen and the ghostly disk that
had hung all day in the sky was vel
lowing above the olive trees. GEORGE