The San Francisco call., 1909-11-21

/ can't commence to tell you how l regret
the whole absurd affair" 1 looked up with
smile-it must have been tised one-into the face
Of Evelyn TaghernSteward,
For the hftieth time-or more-I was trying to
annhilate that terrible announcement of few days
before. 1t was my mothers day" and 1 seemed to
be dispensing denias with the From the moment,
IN fact Of my precpitate visit the first newspaper
and my interview there with Miss Cavanagh, through
The long hours of telephone calls visitors and curious
inquiry, I seemed to have become animated mol"
The newspapers had softened somewhat my first
emphatic contradiction in Difference the interview
my mother had granted to army of reporters dur
ing my round of visits in the newspaper world.
She had neither confirmed denied the authorta-
tive statement" of my engagement to baron de Beren
zig, but suggested possibilities which she left the
reportorial imagination. In consequence there was
for several days such medley of information both
pro and con, served merely whet curiosity and
keep uncomfortably in the public eye
Il want to know the meaning of this" The day
the announcement made its appearance my father had
come into the drawing room, where awaited
dinner guests. He held two evening newspapers and
frownngly indicated paragraph in each, one 1aunt-
ing under my picture the news OF my coming marriage
Hungarian noble1nan the other denying that such
a marriage was to take place "Why this abominable
notoriey?" My father took the time to look straight
ct me, fiery disapproval in his eyes
I had steeled myself to meet food of questions
the worlds demands-with the information that
the notice unfortunate mistake. But my father
and brother intended should know the truth. l met
the gaze bent upon with look to match his
"If my mother insists upon placing in an
abominable position my family expect to be
dragged into it with She knows than
can tell you of that outrageous announcement" 1
sent the words darting to meet my mother, who had
just entered. "As for the denial of it-I had
alternative. Look upon it. if you choose decara-
ton of independence" And I swept out, afraid to
trust myself further.
never knew what the interview that must have
followed brought forth but in the face of my open
rebellion, which she undoubtedly had anticipated
my mother could do nothing for time but suggest
with shrug that all inquiry be addressed to
THE BARON APPEARS
And now, three days later smiled straight at the
two touches of mauve on Evelyn's cheeks fad she
had decided to perpetuate since its at the
Ham Warrens' dance-and then let my eyes wander
70 the skeptcal curve OF her intensely red lips as l
repeated my weary avowal that engaged
and didn't expect to be. The group about the tea
table listened with air of'expectancy Its tre-
mendously exciting, of course" l added, with an
upt OF the eyebrows indicating that it wasn't "It's
having all the fun without any of the responsibility;
and then think what valuable experience it's going to
prove some dayi" I stopped with the teapot raised
above gold cup fine eggshell Isn't it. Baron?"
supplemented daringly saw him coming toward
me, and I hattered myself my hand did not even
trembe-that much I had advanced in year
had known, Of course, the man was too insolent
TO acknowledge defeat by staying away, and was
prepared for his appearance at any time He ad-
vanced now to meet my question That which the
fair lady says is true of necessity" he said with
exquisite grace, though must admit have not yet
heard what il was"
q saying" pushed on headlong, the teapot
e4sUh hold al 7 f.1+
centrating its gaze upon us-t was the first time we
had met since the violent upheava of three days be-
fore-"I was telling friends here how immensely
we are enjoying the little joke perpetrated at our ex
pense few days ago" The words were scarcely
uttered than regretted the recklessness of them
The baron leaned over my chair. "In my country
do not rejoice when news is published prema-
turey| Though spoken with apparent lghtness,
the word was thrust at me like sword point
Ny wrist of sudden grew limp my hand de-
scended weakly, there crack, and the eggshell
gold cup yawned up at in wide grin. Those
about the table coughed there was stir of surprised
interest, followed by sudden buzz of conversation
wanted to Shrek to shout that little idiot for
playing directly into the enemy's hands Instead |
tried to fall back easily my defenses. as that
because, being premature it's apt kill the very end
II seeks to accomplish"
CARLEY Is MENTIONED
"In this country it would seem," observed the
baron poignantly, "an affair is but sooner accom-
plished when it is hurried"
held the sugar tongs poised steadily above an
other cup, just prove that my discomfort had been
but momentary. How fortunate" retorted, that
our case IS an interesting exception to the rule Shall
II be lemon or cream baron?" And had the salts
faction OF seeing Perry Wing-whose propensity for
scandal feared more than any womans-sn1ile ap-
preciatively
When week later read in the magazine of town
talk an account Of that scene in its entirety no
longer doubted the newspaperman's starting st.+e
ment that there corps of secret service workers
gathering inside information in our very midst
II mamma is very anxious and Herr Raron
very willing why is our dark eyed pinsx b.;r.d