The San Francisco call., 1907-03-31

waiter. turned slightly round in Her
chair and glanced with well-affectcd
carelcssness across at me. I saw her
start and look spprehensively at her
companion. He took the alarm at once.
and I heard his eager question.
Who is II? Who is 1t, Maud?"
She made him some reassuring an
swer, ands rising to her feet. came over
TO my table. ! rose TO greet her. and
she slipped quietly into the chair OPP
posite me.
What are you doing here? she
asked quickly.
Il have just arrived from Braster.
7 answered. Il came here by accident
to get something to eat. Is thet---
/ could not go on, ut she finished the
sentence for me.
"Yes.'
set my teeth hard and looked
steadily down at the tablecloth. / felt
rather than saw that her regard was
compassionate.
II am sorry" she murmured. II
would not have brought him here IL
had known. You two are better apart.
Talk TO me as naturally as you can.
He has no idea who you are.
Has he been ill?' l asked.
Very. i found him in a hospital.
He has been ILL and the rest you can
guess"
Even while we were talking 1 saw
him toss off another glass OF brandy
which the waiter had brought him.
And all the time his eyes never left my
face.
Il thought said. that he had
money"
1T has all gone she answered. and
well. things are not very hourishing
with him. Our mission over here has
been unsuccessful. and they have
stopped sending us money from Paris.
How queer that | should be telling you
thisi' she added. with hard little
laugh, you, of all people in the world
Guy. take my advice. Get up and go.
If he guesses who you are he will come
and speak to you-and you are better
apart
1t was too late. With fascinated eyes
I watched him leave his place and come
toward us. was absolutely powerless
to move. Mrs. Smith-Lessing had left
into it and leaned across the table
toward me.
TT is Guy he said in a shaking
voice. II am sure that il is Guy. She
has told you who am Eh?''
Yes l answered. II know who you
are
He extended shaking hand across
the table. l could not take 1t.
We'll, WELL" he said nervously, per
iaps you are right. But l came to Eng
land TO see you. Yes. Guy. that is the
truth, have been bad father, but may
be able to make amends. ] think
know a way. Waiter, a glass of
brandy"
II am afraid I said. rising to my
feet, that you must excuse me. II you
have anything to say to me, sir, we can
meet another time"
He almost dragged me dom.
Stop. stop he said irritably. You
do not seem to understand. ] had an
important matter of business to dis
cuss with you. ] may make your for
tune yet. my boy. 1 have powerful
friends abroad. very powerful
looked at him steadily.
.'well?'
She laid her hand upon his arm and
whispered in his ear. He only shook
his head angrily.
Nonsense. Maud he exclaimed.
You do not understand. This is my
son Guy. OF course we must talk to-
gether. 1t is wonderful meeting
yes. wonderful meeting.
''Well?" I repeated.
II am glad to hear he continued,
that you are holding such an impor-
tant position. Clerk. to the Military
Defense Board. eh2 Quite an impor-
tant position of course; but it might be
naade-yes, with care. it might be
made, he added, watching me with
nervous alertness. "a very lucrative
one"
y am quite satisfied with my salary
! remarked calmly.
Pooh. my dear boy, that is non-
sense" he continued. You do not un-
derstand me. 1t is an open secret.
Maud, are we overheard here, do you
think? Is il safe TO discuss an impor-
tant matter with Guy here?"
l rose TO my feet and took up my
hat. Again she whispered in his ear
and this time he seemed to assent
quite right, Quite rightr' he said,
nodding his head. Guy. my boy. YOU
shall come and see US. No 20. Blooms
bury street--poor rooms. but our re-
nittances have gone astray and | have
been Ill. Tomorrow, eh? or the next
day? We shall expect you, Guy. We do
not go out except in the evenings. You
will not fail. Guy?"
l looked down into his flushed face.
His lips were shaking and his eyes
were fixed anxiously upon mine / was
miserabiy ashamed and unhappy.
Il do not think ] shall care to hear