The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25

pllSO, Win mutual cO1nmlS6TdllO0, ana
between them the far away soldier boy
was ever the '-Undutfful' Had she
been his own daughter he could not
have been more concerned for her well
fare and happiness. Your old father
and / were boys together, Cathy," he
had told her more than once, "and as
my useless old life has been given me
to make a nuisance of myself, and be
in the way generally-which is about
all | can say for myself am bound
to do by his child as he would have
done for mine IL circumstances had
been reversed. So, girl, you must make
use of the old major in any way that
he can serve you, because your happi-
ness Is nearer and dearer to his heart
than anything else in his worn-out old
life My boy Che speaks proudly is
soloier-he belongs to his country, and
has no need of his dad. What he is not
able 70 do for himself, his old dad can
not do for him. When / was his age"
land the eyes of the old war horse
flash with the spirit of YOUTH, II was
always looking for trouble and only
happy when 1 found it-and ] was
happy pretty much all the time, as
look back over the march I've made.
You are without father or brother, my
dear, and n man who has your best in
terests at heart. even If he is only an
old duffer, may be OF use to you. Men
understand men for what they really
are. better than women. There are
strange creatures masquerading as men
in this world; they may have q definite
purpose, but as yet it has not been
made clear. In the meantime, they
serve TO cut down the general average
of decency and respectability"
So it happened that the major was a
frequent escort of mother and daugh-
ter. and more or less familiar with the
men of Cathalee's acquaintance. When,
therefore, a stranger appeared and
evinced a desire to enroll himself
among the no inconsiderable number
of admirers of his charge, he very soon
acquainted himself with the general
worthiness or unworthiness of the new
conner.
Better let them find their own level,
Cathy," he had told her. Life is too
short to stand on dress parade before
the enemy merely to show him the
strength of your forces. Besides, there
is always the danger that some dis
gruntled coward or gibbering idiot may
deal a blow behind your back-putting
your heel on a viper after his sting is
poor satisfaction" And waxing warm
er, for this was a subject on which the
major never hesitaued to speak his
mind Not alone the crawling species,
my dear, run out their tongues and
strike an innocent hand-they are true
TO their natures and may be guarded
against. The others are anomalies, and
for some inexpIicable reason. form and
instinct are not inseparable-more's
the pity
II YVES his custom to stroll down to
the Waldorf in the late afternoon, and
with some old crony, or young chap,
he was sure to find around the place.
indulge himself to the extent of a con-
genial cocktail. A day or two after
making Waldron's acquaintance, he
chanced to run across him in the hotel,
and the two enjoyed a chat over the
aforesaid cocktail, at the majors invi-
tation.
by the way, Cathy, who is this man
waldron?" he inquired, in his usual
matter of-fact way, when next he saw
her. Seems very much of stranger
nobody seems to know him. he add
ed, as a reply was not Immediately
forthcoming.
a friend of the winstons and
mine" she replied, with a sly glance
at the old fellow, well knowing the OBJ
ject of his inquiry. The unmistakable
emphasis on the last word mildly sur
prised the major-his Intervention was
clearly not desired in this particular
instance.
Had a little chat with him a day or
two ago-accidentally ran across him
down at the hotel" he told her, not quite
satisfied to drop the matter so inform
ally. Seems a very decent sort Of
chap, but better be little careful, my
dear--don't place too much reliance on
appearances.
THAT terrible horse OF mine has
again distinguished himself" said Cath
alec, addressing Waldron. Mr. Chad
eller," glsncing at Jack at the mention
of this name, 'is the latest victim. He
essayed to manage the animal but yes
terday, and the poor man Jared rather
badly"
HE is a beast of fine discretion" was
the somewhat ambiguous comment of
Master Jack.
My mother" she continued, ignoring
Jacks remark lis in mortal fear lest
1 intend to use him for my own mount
which was my original intention
and declares II / do not dispose of him
Immediately, or l. 1 permit another
man to endanger his life, she will COM
plain of me to the society. for. the pre-
ventiontof cruelty to animals. Whether
she feels that the animal or the men
have been abused. is not quite clear.
Therefore, Mr.. Waldron, shall not
trouble you. or permit you TO endanger
your young life in attempting TO curb
the spirits Of my fractions steed-un-
less" she hesitated, seemingly reluct-
ant to accept as final the idea of part
ing with the animal, you are possessed
of q wild desire to try your skill, in
which case l may be able to obtain my
mothers consent to offer one more
sacrifice"
II am not conscious of possessing
just such a wild or uncomfortable de-
SIRE replied Waldron. with Indifferent
good nature, yet IL you wish to retain
the animal ] am entirely willing to
exert my influence over his fractions
spirits"
II realized that my expression was
not tempered with the finest distinc-
tion," said Cathalee, with an assump-
ton OF seriousness. "I do not believe
you capable of possessing a wild de-
sire for anything You simply take
people and things as you find them
utterly Indifferent and careless of the
: particular form they assume. I am
curious to know the sort of man that
really exists under all this indifference
However. 1 accept your offer with the
modification that you will undertake
the task to please me. rather than from
any particular desire on your own part,
which serves to make the obligation
even greater, notwithstanding which, L
continue to accept" she laughingly de-
clared, "and you may expect to hear