The San Francisco call., 1906-11-11

together IN the QoOrWdyS. Afiei was
careful not to glance toward them.
but she could not help hating them.
once or twice between the dances she
saw Miss Pike speak appealingiy to
one OF the superfluous. giancing at
the same time i'm her own direction.
ana Ariel could see too that the appeal
proved unsuccessful. until at last
Mamie approached her. leading Norbert
flitcroft. partly by the hand, partly
by viii power. Norbert was an exceed
ipgly fist hoy and at the present mo-
mont looked as patient as the blind.
Bat he asked Ariel if she was engage
for the next dance and Mamie, having
fitted away. stood disconsolate1y be-
side her. waiting for the music to be-
gin Ariel was grateful for him.
4 think you must be very good
natured. Mr.. Flitcroft," she said, with
an air OF raillery.
No. / am not" he replied pIaintiveiy.
Everybody thinks ] am because I'm fat
and they expect me to do things they
never dream OF asking anybody else TO
do. I'd like to see 'em even ask Gene
Bantry to go and do some of the things
they get me to do, a person isn't
sood-natured just because he's fat" he
concluded morbidly, but he might as
well be-
"Oil. l meant good -natured," she re-
turned, with a sprightly laugh, be
cause you're willing to waltz with me-"
Oh. WELL he returned, signing,
that's all right"
The orchestra fourished into La
Paioma": he put his arm mournfully
around her and taking her right hand
with his left, Garfield her arm out to
rigid right angle, beginning to pump
and balance for time. They made three
raise starts and then got away Ariel
danced badly; she hoped and lost the
step. but they persevered bumpins
against other couples continually. Cir
ciing breathlessly into the next room
they passed close to long mirror. in
nhlch Arlel saw herself. although in a
nash, more bitterly contrasted to the
others than in the cheval glass of the
Gressing-room. The cluTslp of roses
was Topping about her neck. her
crimped hair looked frowzy. and there
was something terribly wrong about
her dress. Suddenly she felt her train
10 De ominously grotesque. as a thing
ioiloWing her in a nightmare.
moment later she caught her mart
ner making burlesque face of suffer
ing over her shoulder, and. turning her
head quickly, saw for whose benefit
he had constructed IL. Eugene Bantry
lying eNpertly by with Mamie. was
oestowlng upon Mr.. lslitcroft con-
aescendingly commiserative wink. The
next instant she tripped in her train
and tell TO the floor at Eugene's feef
carrying her partner with her.
mere was a shout of laughter The
young hostess stopped Eugene who
would have gone on, and lie had no
choice but to stoop to Ariel's assistance
II seems 10 be habit Of mine," she
said. laughing loudly
She did not appear to see tba hard
ne oHered. but got to her feet without
neip and walked quickly away with
Noroert, who proceeded to live IN to
the character he had given himself
ferhaps we had better not try ii
again" she laughed
Well 1 should think not" he re-
turned. with the frankest gloom win
the air OF conducting her home he tool[
her TO the chair against the wall
whence he had brought her. There HE
responsibility for her seemed to cease
wan you excuse me?" he asked. and
tnere was no doubt that he felt that
ne had been given more than his share
tnat evening. even though he was fat
Yes, indeed" Her laughter vas
continuous. Il should think Won wouId
De glad to get rid of me after that. Ha
ma, ha. Poor Mr.. F'Iitcroft you know
you areT
1t was the deadly truth. and the fat
one saying, We'll. il you'll Just ex
cuse me now, hurried away with A
tA'~N Stow llSHlCT rs the distance
from her increased. Arrived at the
haven of far doorway, lie mopped his
brow and shook his head grimly in
response TO frequent rallyines.
ariel sat through more dances. in
terminable dances and intermissions
IN that same chair. in which. it began
20 seem, she was to live out the rest
OF ner life; Now and then. If she
tnouSht people were looking at her as
they passed, she broke into a laugh
and nodded slightly, as if still amused
over her mishap.
After a long time she arose. ans
laughing cheerfully to Mr. FIitcroft
who was standing in the doorway
ana replied with a wan smile. stepneGi
out QUICKLY into the hall. where she al
most ran into her great-uncIe. Jonas
Tabor. He was going toward the bfr
'front.' doors with Judge Pike, having
Just come out of the latter's library
down the hall.
Jonas was breathing heavily and was
shockingly pale. though his ewes were
very bright. He turned his back upon
ms grandniece sharply and went out
OF the door. Ariel turned from him
quite as abruptly and re-entered the
room whence she had come. She
laughed again to her fat friend as she
passed him, and, still laughing. went
toward the fatal chair, when her ewes
caught sight OF Eugene Bantry and
Mamie coming in through the window
from the porch. Still laughing. she
went to the window and looked out.
The porch seemed deserted and was
family illuminated by a few Japanese
lanterns. She sprang out, dropped upon
the divan and, burying her face in her
hands, cried -brokenly. Presently
she felt something alive touch her foot.
and. her breath catching with quick
alarm, she started to rise. A thin hand
issuing from a shabby sleeve had stolen
out between two of the green tubs and
was pressing upon one of her shoes.
Shv' said Joe. Don't make a
noisel"
His warning was not needed; she had
recognized the hand and sleeve instant
ly. She dropped back with low sound
which would have been hysterical If IT
had been louder, while he raised him
self on his arm until she could sec his
face dimly as he peered at her between
the palms.
What were you going on about?" he
asked angrily.
Nothing" she answered '1 wasn't.
You must go away, and quick. It's
too dangerous. II the Judge found
you"
He WON'T