The San Francisco call., 1906-04-01

moving along with the dash and spirit
characteristic of herself. and withal
performing the duties of hostess and
holder-up- -in-chief as we'll as the two
could be expected to coalesce.
Yes, I am quite beyond wordsr' she
frankly admitted. II welcome my
guests with one hand, and the other
goes Immediately to their pockets.
Why, yes, to be sure, I am an EXPERT
You. sir, would rather be waylaid by
you by another2 Very well, sir, your
fine preference shall be duly rewarded"
And to an elderly admirer. who pro-
fessed profound pleasure at the pur-
chase Of a beautiful rose from one OF
her fair assistants-like from like-as
he POLITICALLY delivered himself. How
beautifulr' she told him. take two and
be doubly pleased-indeed. take three
and be thrice blessed" ever returning
a laughing, reply or bright repartee TO
the badinage flung at her as sne
wended her way among her guests
"Oh, major! You shall settle vexed
question I have with Mr.. Chadeller,
she exclaimed. suddenly coming upon
these two gentlemen. Mr. Cnaoeler
promised to subscribe one hundred DOL
lars TO my fund under certain conol-
tions. and now he stands upon mere
technicality, which don't think Is
fair"
Excuse me, my dear!" vigorously
protested the old fellow, III nave
nothing TO do with any dispute. Esaoi
before know It you would have me In
the same box Take my advice, Cha-
deller; il she has any claim on you, pay
I'D. Might as well settle first as last,
and save yourself trouble-mark meF
"oh, indeedi you dare me, Mr.. Cha
delleri VIII you at least kindly bear
witness, msJor-the gentleman dares the
lady. warn you, sir, I am entirely
unscrupulous-the end will justify the
means whatever they may be- No, L
promise not to sign your name to any
checks. do respect my liberty II not
my conscience. Very well. sir, you
leave me- no alternative but to do my
worst-you may have cause to regret
your rashness."
Bad business, Chadeller-bad busi-
nessw declared the major, shaking his
head disapprovingly. Its only inviting
trouble to dare a woman-just encour-
aging the natural instincts OF the sex 10
ge- after US poor devils"
TOO serious a view. major-too seri-
Gus by half" replied Mr.. Chadeller with
characteristic assurance I'VE have TO
handicap ourselves a little now and
then to make it half way interesting
little extra weight for age and worldly
experience. you know, major.
"Egad, colonel! What do you thinks"
clustered the major TO his old crony,
whom he chanced to- run across some
time later "A crowd of those young
chaps have just been telling me about
q new drink they have trumped up over
at the club New drink" he indignant
ly exclaimed, making a wry face. Here
I am, colonel, sixty-seven years old,
and I'm free TO say that 1 haven't even
discovered the possibilities of the old
drinks-let alone eXhausting them. And
hang me, sir, what's more, 1 don't ex-
pect to even If live to be a hundred
and have a relapse. Colonel, some folks
are never SATISFIED TO let we'll enough
alone"
There's where our regulations are
torn into shreds and scattered to the
four winds-over in that corner" he
declared, when he had recovered his
equilibrium. suddenly catching sight of
a certain select coterle of the opposite
sex engaged in very animated conversa-
ton. They draw and quarter n poor
devil behind his back, smirk and pa
laver 10 his face, break his bread and
drink his wine. Gadi If they didn't
have straight gullets they would sure
" choke to death"
That they would" grufiy replied the
colonel, but they're a sort of necessary
evil, major. We do a deal of swearing,
but finally swallow EN- like poor IL
our stOmachs, and more than likely to
turn US over in the night. But we must
have the stimulant. Might as well try to
run New York without a tiger as So
ciety without it's scandal mongers.
Such old chaps as you and ], major,
would have TO take to the woods or go
out and fight the niggers TO find lit
tie excitement"
He may be all that a man should
be-as men go-but there is something
very mysterious about the whole affair.
Who is he---does anybody know" de-
manded one Of this precious group, al
most defiantly.
L hope she knows more than she
seems inclined TO teIlN always said
that she would distinguish herself. and
she seems to be in a fair way to do it,"
snapped another.
Unless I am greatly mistaken the
Major himself has not unraveled the
mystery. He WIS positively disagreeable
this evening when / mentioned the sub
or does not approve" declared another,
with great gusto.
1T is time he was putting in an ap-
pearance. OF course she will not miss
such an opportunity of parading him be-
fore US ALL cynically observed another
-tOh TO be sure! She has already prom
ised several of her intimates that the
to them For my part 1 have no desire
to become entangled with any mystery
Il should positively refusei''
Pray, excuse metz
THE idea."
Mercy"
Exclaimed these very estimable ladies
in chorus. with much Struggling of shoul-
ders and bosoEs heaving with virtuous
indignation. Two or three of their num-
Der were claimed by their partners in
the dance. thus putting an end to a very
interesting discussion.
Miss Constance Hillman had been a
very surprised young woman. when, a
day or two after her departure from the
city. she had received a very curt note
from her father rather more peremptory
than the circ distances required, she
could but feel-informing her that there
was to be no further reference to the
presence in the city of a certain indi-
vidual. Mr. Herringdon had also re-
ceived similar positive instructions
when. with no little Importance. he had
informed Mr.. IIillman of the situation in
detail The young man was not a little
surprised and considerably at loss to
account for this unceremonious DISPOSE
ton of possibly interesting cOmplicatiOn