The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-11-18

were frightened when they perceived
it's extent. There is no need to detail
the catastrophe. 1t came suddenly, and
the knife did not flash. Sick and think
ing of himself. Eugene stood staring at
the figure lying before him on the red
dening floor rabble fought with the
quick policemen at the doors, and then
the lights went out, extinguished by
the proprietor. living up to his reputa-
tion for always being thoughtful of his
patrons. The place had been night
mare; it became black impossibility.
Eugene staggered to one OF the open
windows, from the sill of which a man
had just leaped.
Don't jump" said a voice close to his
ear That fellow broke his leg,
think, and they caught him, anyway. as
soon as he struck the pavement. It's
big raid. Come this way"
light hand fell upon his arm and he
followed Its leading. blindly. to find
himself pushed through a narrow door
way and down a flight OF tricky. wood
en- steps. at the foot of which. silhou-
cited against street light. tall po-
liceman was on guard. He laid mas
terful hands on Eugene.
'Sh. Mackv whispered a cautious
voice from the stairway. That's
friend of mine and not one of those you
need. He's only student and scared
to DEATH"
Hurry" said the policeman, under
his breath, twisting Eugene sharply by
him into the street; after which he
stormed vehemently: ION yer way.
both of We. Move on up the street.
Don't be tryin' to poke yer heads in
here. Ye'd be more anxious to git out,
once We got in, I tell yer
A sob of relief came from Bantry
as ne gained the next corner. the slight
ngure or his conductor at his side.
you'd better not go to places like
the 'Straw-Celiar,' said the latter.
gravely. I'D been watching you for
an hour. You were dancing with the
girl who did the cutting"
Eugene leaned against a wall faint,
one arm across his face. He was too
i'll to see. or care who ii was that had
saved him Il never saw her before"
he babbled, incoherently, never never.
never. ! thought she looked handsome.
and asked her II she'd dance with me-
Then saw she seemed queer-and
wild. and she kept guiding and pushing
as we danced until we were near that
man-and then she-then it was all
done-before-'
Yes" said the other; shes beens
threatening to do it for a long time.
Jealous. Mighty good sort of a girl,
though, in lots of ways. Only yester-
day I talked with her and almost
tiVu6 III L u CSiIiicu DeT out OF IL. But
you can't tell with some women. They'll
brighten up and talk straight and seem
sensible one minute, and promise to
behave, and mean it too, and the next
there they go, making a scene. cutting
somebody or killing themselves You
can't count on them. But that's not to
the point, exactly / expect. You'd bet
ter keep away from the 'Straw-Cellar.'
IT you'd been caught with the rest
you'd have had hard time, and they'd
have found out your real name. too.
because it's pretty serious on account
of your dancing with her when she did
1t, and the Canaan papers would have
got hold of it and you wouldn't be
invited to Judge Pixies any more,
Eugene
Eugene dropped his arm from his
eyes and stared into the face of his
brother
Joe Loudenw he gasped.
'I'll never tell" said Joe. You'd bet
ter keep out of all this sort You don't
do it because you care He smiled
wanly. his odd distorted smile of
friendliness. when you go back YOU
might tell father I'm all right I'm
working through a law school here
and remember me to Norbert Flitcroft,"
he finished, with chuckIe.
Eugene covered his eyes again and
groaned.
It's all right" Joe assured him.
You're as safe as If it had never hap
pened- And l expect''-he went on.
thoughtfully-'I expect. maybe. you'd
prefer not to say you'd seen me, when
you go back to Canaan. Well that's
all right. | don't suppose father will
be asking after me-exactly''
No, he Doesn't said Eugene still
white and shaking. Don't stand talk
ing. I'm sick
"Of course returned ~> But
there's one thing !. we-.~~ IKE to ask
yov