The San Francisco call., 1908-05-31
%
War NER /,

'.Tm so glad that you felt so. I've
often wanted to sec you, even though
/ can read so much about you in tho
daily papers" She smiled courageous
ly, even though admitting to herself
that be had been easier TO talk to ON
the coasting hiIl in those old DAYS or
childhood. .Jf your mother doesn't
like big houses. what does she sav
TO the new one?" she asked then.
"She hopes that II means tnat am
going to be married" he made answer
dry throatedly
"Oh are yoII% Her interest was ex-
treTe at once
He could not look at her The blood
was pouring into his heart His
strength was mighty and yet he could
not dare to dare; he knew that well
Il don't know he said almost brok-
enly
'Oh you look SO bashful and fright
ened. 7 believe that YOU are" she ex-
claimed laughing YES. T DO believe
it, I've found you out. haven't To-
He raised his eyes painfully to the
eager question of her glance. It was
i'm such minutes in other days that the,
fates OF certain nations were changed
By the eoquet~y ard tho love hunger
of certain humans beicaSiDG 60 them.
Then he smiled little distortedIv
He was stronE man who had I'D 70
now wrought and rackcd what he cor
sidered should he brought under order
until it bent at his behest but i'm tbi.s
houp he was facing that before which
he was helpless Thc sweetest faircst
enigma. oh. what was she going 10 DO
with him.
Tell me who it is?'' she begged. Ia
it some one here? / don't suppose that
any girl would refuse YOU"
Don't you think so?''
why. / suppose not. They say that
10 vi.
country in 10 years more. I don't care
for money myself. but most women like
it so much.
He looked at her little duly.
Don't you care for money!" he
asked
She shook her charming head.
NO, not bit. Ii can't buy one thing
that I care for. married a poor man
the first time and we were very hap
py-and now tits not out vet. but II
won't hurt to tell YOU'D I'm going 70
marry another poor man in the
spring.
There was little pause. then r
You're going to marry again?" he
asked. as if he hadn't understood.
Yes. in May"
There was another slight pause.
Won't you congratulate me?" she
suggested at last. with her pretty smile
,Yes. certainly. L hope you'll be
most happy.
She noticed how tightly his big
hands held one anOther-almost as IL
he were suffering. Somehow he seemed
pitiable in that moment. in spite OF
all his money. She felt like reaching
forward and pressing those twisting
hands gently into peace. But she only
said in her sOftest voice:
Thank you. and I wish YOU tbs
same"
He started a little. then said: Ne,
Oh. don't think of me- I was only
joking I shall never marry"
How can you say that. and you so
young?"
my boyhcod L always knew it. Gfrls
never took TO me. You remember hoy
il was in the coasting days?" His
voice was hurried and shaking.
She looked at him anxiously. fancy
ing a bitter echo in the unevenly
spoken words.
"I was very fond of you" she re-
monstrated gently.
That was intolerabie, He sprang TO
his feet. drawing a big breath as he
did So Oh. he never should have, come
near her again, But he had come.
noping. hoping. And now this was
the end. This was the first hour or
the weeks and months and years that
were to come. In the present second
he presaGed their shadow down his
whole path of life. Little. smiling face
laying him low in his boyhood-com-
pleting its hav Oe now.
You We're always awfully- good 70
me. he exclaimed in hasty agony. TIL
remember your sweet little ways so
long as I live. And let me tell you.
don't you ever fail TO come to me II
YOU ever want anything-if you ever
get too poor. you knOw-Or-or want
anything-or want anything"
said. surprised and startled by his
emotion. but grateful for his friendli-
ness. I'm not TO be married here or
I'd hope that YOU would know and
like my-my'--. She stopped. hcr
voice died away. her eyes grew wide
with a sort of anxiety over the look
in the face before her He rose a.
once.
I've got to go he said with heavy
emphasis live lots TO do. I'm al
ways busy. you know
She rose too. He looked with in
ward and upward contracting brows
upon the slight, girlish figure that
would have shrunk TO nothing in his
arms. What must it be to own the
light in her eyes, the love on her
lips? A man had known. another was
soon to know-and not he ever-never
newer,
Without a word he walked toward
where he had seen the maid lay his
coat. She followed.
How lovely" she said. drawing her
fingers through the soft fur as he lifted
it. II suppose that you can just buy
anything nowadays?
Not quite" he said trying to smile.
Il shall see you again. shall I note
You'll try to call again while were
here?'
He drew a single low, long breath.
"Tll try" he said.
Papa would be so pleased"
He smiled with tho same expression
of subduinS pain They shook hands.
Then he went out TO his motor. en-
tered the coupe and sat down TO face
the wrath of disappointment alone and
single handed.
AS the big machine vhirled aWay
through the snow the railway king
a veritable king in power over men and
as powerless as all kings prove TO bs
in another direction, clenched his teeth
hard and drove his fingers fast to-
gether.
II can find out about the fellow