The San Francisco call., 1907-03-10
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lCtLIis ana SuQQGul9 SllANh Allr ~t'-AT
toned arm OF the carriage by her side
with her clenched hand.
1T is a lie." she declared. Whoever
told you so. IL is q lie.'
do you mean that he is not dead?'
exclaimed.
do you mean that YOU have not seen
him yourself-within the last few
months?" she demanded derceiy. He
left me to come TO you on the hrst day
OF the new year"
Il have never seen him TO my knowl-
edge in my life" I answered.
She leaned hack in her seat. murmur-
ing something to herself which l could
not catch. Past mistress OF deceit
though she may have been. ! was con
WINGED that her CONSERVATION AZ my
statement was honest. She did not
speak or look al me again for some
time As for me. sat silent with the
horror OF = thought Underneath the
rug nay limbs were cold and iifcless. 1
sal looking out OF the splashed
window into the darkness, with fixed,
staring eyes and hideous fancy in my
brain. Every now and then ] thought
that I could see it--a white evil face
pressed close 20 the blurred glass. grin
ming in upon me. Every shriel- OF the
enEine-and there were many just then,
for We were passing through net
work OF tunnels-brought beads OF
moisture 10 my forehead. made me start
and shake like a criminal. Surely that
was q cry. ! started in my scat. only
20 see that my companion, now her old
self again. was watching me intentiy.
Il am afraid, she said softly, that
you are not very strong. The excite
ment OF talking OF these things has
been too much for YOU
Il have never had a days illness in
my life, ] answered. j am perfectly
we'll"
Il am glad she said simply Il must
finish what 7 was telling you. Your
father was continually talking and
thinking OF you. He knew All about
YOU st college. He knew about your
oegree. or your cricket and rowing.
Lately he began to get restless. lie
lost sight OF you after YOU left oxford.
and IL worried him. There were rea-
sons. as you know. why It was not well
for him 10 come 10 England. but. never
theless, he determined TO brave II out.
II was 20 find you that he riskcd so
much. he left me on New Years day,
and have never heard a word from
him since. That is why / came 10 Eng
land"
The whole reason" I asked, like a
fool
The whole reason" she arhrmed sim
ply.
u 90 not wish to see my father"
said. If he comes 10 ms I shall tell
him so"
He wants to tell you his story him
self" she murmured.
swered
She sighed.
You are very young" she said. You
have heard his history. perhaps, from
his enemies. He is getting old now.
Guy. I think that il you saw him now
you would pity him.F
MY pity" answered would never
be strong enough to suffer me to open
the door to hin-if he should come.
de has left me alone all these years
The only favor would ever ask OF him
would be that he continue TO do so''
You viii believe the story of stran-
gers"
no one IN the world could be
greater stranger 10 me than he"
She sighed.
You will not even let me be your
friend" she pleaded. You are young.
you are perhaps ambitious. There may
be many ways in which I could help
you"
~As you helped my father. perhaps"
J answered bitterly Thank you, 1
friends"
Her eyes seemed to narrow a little,
and the smile upon her lips was forced
Is that kind of your" she exclaimed
Your father was in a position of great
trust 1t is different with you. You
are idle, and you need a career. Eng
land has so little to offer her young
men, but there are other counties
] interrupted her brusquely.
Thank you" I said. but I have en-
ployment. and such ambitions as ! have
admit Of nothing but an honest career"
Again I saw that contraction of her
eyes, but she never WINGED or changed
her tone.
You have employment" she asked,
as though surprised.
Yes, IS YOU doubtless know. ] am
in the service OF the Duke OF Row
chester" told her
1T is news to me-" she replied. "You
win forgive me at least for being in
terested, Guy. But when you say in
the service OF the Duke OF Rowchester
you puzzle me. In England what does
= am one Of the Dukes secretaries
i answered.
lis the Duke, then, a politician?" she
asked, that he needs secretaries?"
Not az ALL" I answered drily. Ills
Grace is president OF the Society for the
Prevention OF Cruelty TO Animals, or
children, whichever you like. We have
a large correspondence"
She picked UP her book.
L am afraid that / understand you"
she seid. You have a good deal of the
brutality OF youth, Guy, and. I might
add, OF its creduiity also. Whose word
is IL, wonder, that you have taken so
abJectiy-with such an open mouth? II
1 have enemies I have not deserved
them. But. after all. it matters little"
We did not speak again until we
neared the junction. Than she began
10 gather up her things.
How are you getting home?" she
asked. IL is o'clock and raining
Il am going to walk, l answered.
But that is absurd" she protested
q have a closed carriage here. ] insist
that you let me drive you. II is only
common humanity; and you have that
great box. too"
] buttoned UP my coat.
Mrs. smith LessinE." ] said. you
perhaps wish 10 force me into seeming
ungrscious. You have even called me
brutal It is your own fault. You
give me no chance OF escape. You even
force me now 10 tell you that do not
desire-thst J will not scccpt-any hos
pitsiity at your hands"
She fastened her jacket with trem-
bling fingers Her face she kept avert
ed from me.
Very well" she said softly. Il shall
not trouble YOU any more.