The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25
CHAPTER xxi.
"onIy a Mani"


"onIy a ManW
Your coming this evening is little
less than an act OF mercy, she told
him, with q gracious warmth OF greet
ing, as she led the way into small
and cory room OF the hall, where a
cheerful FIRE blazed In the crate. I
have been sitting here all alone. think
ing the gloomiest thoughts that NOR
bid mind could well conceive, and as
result I am quite but Of conceit with
myself"
The thought might have occurred to
the guest that the mood OF his fair
hostess and her environments were not
in full accord, for surely IL physical
comforts were conducive TO peace Of
mind none should be happier or more
content than she.
You may take that easy chair-I
know you have designs upon IL; besides.
arranged il for you, and one for my
self on this side of the CRATE" she told
him, with simple frankness. L shall
venture 10 hope that you may be very
comfortable and honestly glad you
came, and-you may smoke"
This is rank heresy. Please to re-
member that it is my regeneration that
YOU have undertaken
quite right Still you may smoke
you are the master OF your destiny
after all is said and done"
sWhy not concede as much for your
self? Or is il g prerogative Of your sex
to be creatures of circumstance and
moods?''
Il presume you think it strange that I
should be other than perfectly happy,
unless you chance TO be philosophically
inclined, in which case you will under
stand that one may possess all the crea-
ture comforts, yet lack the one great es-
sential-I know not what It may be-wtth-
out which one may never find content
ment. I am given to this sort Of thing
occasionally, and 1 am glad that you
chanced TO find me in such mood. Per
haps you can diagnose my weakness, and
suggest a remedy. Besides. you will
know that 1 can be serious upon occasion,
and am not always the rattle-brained
creature you have just cause TO believe
me"
Il fear I am but poor philosopher
81 am not so sure. I have an idea that
you would underrate yourself. and permit
others 10 do the same. so little do you
concern yourself with many things which
seem to be the aim and object Of most
men. 1 am at a loss to understand
whether IT is indifference, pure and sim
pie, or a self-contained assurance OF
strength and ability to cope with the
world, regardless.
Il fear our subjects have become con-
fused"
i am inclined to think that have yer
to make the acquaintance of the real
man" she continued. apparently uncon-
scious of his remark. although IL 1 mis-
take not, I saw him that terrible night
out in the mountains, and again-just a
heeting glimpse-when he took my horse
in hand and quietly but firmly broke bis
stubborn viii. as he would have broken
his pretty neck or some portion of his
anatomy, had he not obeyed him. Or
the whole rather like obscure possibili-
ties which may pop out at any moment
and prove intensely interesting"
"An OF which is a lamentabIe fall from
q very interesting to very commonplace
subject. This mood-has it taken wings
already?" he inquired. with kindly in.
terest.
VERY well, sir, since you insist upor
returning TO my moody self, the respon-
sibility be on your head. / believe 1 have
not told you that much of my time Is
given 10 charity work. Know, then, thai
I am interested in the general work, and
one little haven Of rest is entirely depend
ent upon me for its sustenance. I took VI
this work originally. I fancy. because
Was fitted for little else. A mere passive
existence never appealed TO me. Society
very well in its way. eventually became
stupid and iuene. and a continued exist
ence without definite purpose seemed as
unwarrantable as undesirable.
I throw open my house each year and
give a sor. of something-never quite the
same in name, and the name is fire.
ouently a misnomer. The essential fea.
tures, however, are maintained with
commendable persistency, and consist
primarily and principally, I'm compelling
everybody TO stand and deliver-hand.
up-frRnkly and cordially. ] provid,
something IN the way OF entertainment
music for dancing. and refreshments
All my friends take tickets. and sub
scribe various amounts according Il
the state OF the market they tell me
their eKtravagance and dissipations. they
don't tell me-all of which have to bs
reckoned with before charity. The,
are really very generous. althoug ugf
some I fear, contribute under inward
protest and outward compulsion. tel
them that I am their good angel anC
literally shower blessings upon then
in thus giving them an opportunity t
perform q generous and kindly act foi
so worthy a cause. do not think tha'
they all quite agree with me and som,
would doubtless prefer 70 bargain FOL
their own blessings and more thar
likely consider me a nuisance. All o.
which" she continued, after shor
pause TO note the effect upon her CUES
Of this very positive declaration. "ii
apropos OF telling you how I chanceS
70 be ia my present mood. For tn.
most part my excessive spirits anG
abundant good health enable me to per
form my work with little or no en-
barrassment. and only occasionally dS
I lose control OF myself and become
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