The San Francisco call., 1908-05-31

sion and the snowy scene was left in
frozen desoIation. The houses oppo-
site all had their shades drawn. He
thought CT a house then building fur
ther out the street, and swore that
it's windows should every one stream
light and warmth abroad on every
winter night.
a silken skirt came rustling down
a hardwood stair. He turned. feeling
suddenly big and awkward. and his
muscles and nerves all pulled and
frightened at the sound
Then she parted the portierres and
came in, lovely little navy blue fig
ure, with the yellow curls huddled to-
gether behind her cars and her pretty
eyes and her pretty smile just the
same.
"oh you haven't changed bit~ she
exclaimed joyfully, giving him her
hand
thing" he replied, with answering
smile and warm hand clasp
III the world had ever been dull and
gray it was all over now and the best
rays of life's best sun, were illuminat-
ing him with their effulgence at that
moment.
But I've nothing TO change me
drawing away her hand. while you
oh. to think of it. They always asked
me il knew you in Europe when they
found out where I came from, and fan
cy how proud I was to be able to say
yes."
They sat down, she keeping her eyes
on him.
And to think how rich you've
grown. Do tell me how that feels We
used to be rich and now were poor. so
| know how that feels. And I don't
mind it a bit either" she added gayly.
Through his mind there passed like a
warm glow the thought 81 could give
her five thousand year just to give
to her parents and five thousand more
year for herself and never miss the
money" But aloud he said:
81 never think about all that-I have
to work too hard
BUT your mother? Doesn't she en-
joy having just everything she wants?r
We'll, don't know. 1 sometimes
think that she rather misses the sole
execution of her own housework."
Where do you live now?"
He told her
But you're building a beautiful
house-they showed it TO me the other
day out driving. \ regular marble
palace"
Yes; I'm afraid it's rather a piece
of folly He looked down; he was
seeing her in that uncompleted home
of his. wrapped in pink and lace,
against II DackgrOunQ OF velvet anu
treasures. His nouns and verbs of
luxury were very limited, but the love
and longing that conjured the picture
were anything but limited. He almost
gasped.
1T does seem like a big house for
just a man and his mother. but you
and your mother must not forget that
you are very big man now. You can't
think how f1attered I was when saw
your card--to think that you had re-
membered me and come to call upon
me, too.
She directed her sweet, earnest gaze
straight into his as she spoke and he
could frame no reply for the tumult
within him. The years had dimmed
nothing. had assuaged nothing, had
changed nothing in his feelings; but
was she really speaking the truth? In
her own heart did she really look UP
TO him now: Oh, he wondered, daring
not to believe.
TO his perception the difference had
never seemed so poignantly sharp be-
fore. He felt his large frame to be
mere heaviness and his every turn OF
head or hand uncouth- He had often
stood before men of her class and con-
trolled their minds with his as easily
as he could those of his own kind. But
here where his life blood stood in the
balance before this fraiI blue eyed
woman of bygone power and potency.
thrice powerful today. he sat hopeless.
helpless, scarlet and wretched In the
fear that he showed it all. which he
did not.
"Of course, when I knew you were
back I meant to come right off" he
said. His eyes kept devouring all the
details of her appearance. She had on
a simple evening frock of dark blue
silk and around her neck she wore a
little necklet of cut jet-a relic of her
mourning, doubtless.