The San Francisco call., 1906-05-27

little table, Nora. That's right
Nora set down her tempting load: silver
and crystal. tail fagon through whose
transparent sides slices Of lemon showed
aIluringly. slender glasses fllled with ice
a plate of fragrant little cakes
Katharine took up the fiagon and a
glass and let the lemonade drip delicious
IN over the ice. She was quite conscious
that the ewes OF her guest were rowing
nast her over the room. and when she
gave him his glass she answered his un-
uttered question.
You haven't been in this room be:
fore. II is my own sitting-room. / told
Nora 10 bring you in here so that we
should not be disturbed. That is a rather
good Prometheus over the piano, and the
Undine is considered fine. The rest are
views I've picked up here and there.
ITS charming" he murmured, letting
his eyes again wander. and again return
TO the woman before him. with her rose
flush. her shifting beauty of expression.
What could be farther removed from the
scenes he had left? His senses responded
as 10 family heard music. He yearned
10 put into some form what he felt: but
in words-would il not sound absurd,
exaggerated?
isn't it right" she inquired, pointing
10 the lemonade.
Yes. delightful" he answered. slipping
it. TOO delightful Everything is. It's
the contrast which upsets me. I've had
such day"
u know. it must have been terrible -
she sighed and gazed at him with sudden
eanestness. Mr.. Vaughan, how did you
happen TO come TO such g place.?
He returned the look with one as
earnest. Would il surprise you very
much 10 learn that / came because 1
thought God wanted me to?" The words
sounded far-fetched TO him, crudely senti-
mental
1T wouldn't surprise me-in you," she
answered
What did she mean? What was she
thinking. with that intent look in her
eyes, Just this Poor Tristan, Where
is he? The Holy Father will put him
into sackcloth and strew ashes on him
unless some one interferes."
But what she said was. How can you
be sure? You may be mistaken. People
have been, about such things"
That was like Della He would have
liked to tell her about Della He felt
that she would understand and SYM
pathize, would not blame Della too much.
Some time he would tell her the whole
story. Meanwhile he was quite willing
10 lead up to il with condolences about
could you be sure?" he answered with
Straightforward simplicity. "one can
never be sure. but I'd rather make the
mistake than miss the opportunity"
She kincled into sudden enthusiasm.
do you know how great il is of you TO
say that2 I don't believe there is another
man Of my acquaintance who would risk
so much. Do you know-you are very
different from other men?"
Am II" he queried with a little visit
ful smile which she found irresistibly ap-
peahng. Perhaps so. Yet I've tried 10
enter into their lives, have worked in
the mines. lived as they did. tried to feel
as they feel"
You can'tg' she interrupted. How
can you?"
But I must" he insisted. IF I'm to
help them, if T am to make myself under
stood find the right word for the right
thought"
His face took on the rapt expression
which came to it at times. She unused
again. It's Of no use. The Holy Father
has him down. Poor Tristan. No power
on earth can save him. Oh, what a frivo-
lous life I've led.'
Suddenly shis entire manner changed.
do you mind if I try that piano?" he
burst out i've been dying 10, ever
since I came into the room"
DO, I should be delightedw They
sprang up simultaneously. He seated
himself before the instrument, the skirts
OF his long coat trailing TO the floor
threw back his head, ran his fingers
lovingly over the keys and broke into
q sOng-a hymn, but a ''chanson vfeiIIe"
OF a shepherd and a maid.
Standing beside him, she watched his
cheeks pale and his eyes kindle. caught
the sway Of the plant figure, the clinging
touch Of the magnetic hands. Where was
the Holy Father now, the psalm-singing
Methodist, the Sagebrush Parson?
The stffed emotions of the day, the
week, the year, were having their way
with him; indeed it semed TO him at the
moment that he had never found full
expression until now How much of il
was due to the influence of the place. the
woman, he could not tell. It might have
come anyhow anywhere, sooner or later
He did not know, he did not care. He
was singing his heart out, that was
enough, his oyer-burdened, Over-troubled.
struggling, stinted heart, and the being
who stood. beside him in her delicate
draDeries, with her clear, penetrating
eyes, might be angel or woman-he did
not know, he did not care He only
knew she let him be himself, have his
way, throw of the load, draw long
breaths, sing his song, be free. And he
was grateful TO her, as a hungry plant
Is 20 the sky for the sun and the rain.
You are musician she said as one
would say, I know you, now"
Born and bred he assented. letting
his fingers Anger among the chords.
AS children" he lifted his eyes to hers.
I'VE were sometimes hungry but there
was a musical instrument in every room
and we had the latest music"
Yet"
Yet they trained me to the work I am
doing"
Your father2"
Was a cooper and et-maker."
Your mOther?"
Almost as poor as he Their fathers
were spendthrifts-and worse"
SO they offered their son as an atone
mentr'
They offered themselves"
His fingers wandered over the KEYS.
Did you ever conduct?n she asked
abruptly.
Yes, Why2"
4 knew you could, Mr.. Vaughan" her
voice was vibrant with feeling Il don'-
believe God ever wanted YOU to be saeri-
feed in this way. You don't know. You
haven't really lived the life yet II is
horrible. We have had r,araI.r oifv,,-,s