The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-15
CHAPTER XI
DC NIystery Takes Truman


that had played with her the first
night-hashed out at sight Of her. But
after a moment another expression
mixed with it. sharpened it. and fast
ened upon her with an incredulous in
tentness.
She stood on the threshold. pale.
and brilliant still in her blaze Of anger.
equal at last TO anything. Kerr, as
he signaled to her with every Inca
ment Of his enlivened face, his interest
his defiance. his uncontrollability. was
not the man of her imaginary CONVEX
stations. He was not here to be used
and disposed Of; but. as he came to-
ward her. the new admiration in his
face was bringing her reinsurance that
neither was she. The thought that her
moment Of bitter Incredibly had made
her formidable gave her courage to
fight even him. OF whom she was so
much IN awe; gave her courage even
70 smile. though she grew hot at the
first words he spoke
You should not be brave and then
run away. you know"
She thought Of her rush I'D the stairs
again 7 had to so back to see Mrs
Britton." ooh. how she had seen herD
It seemed to Flora that everything
she had been through in the last few
moments was blazoned on her face.
But he only looked little more grave
ly at her, though his sardonic eye
brow twitched.
All 1 thought you only ran back
to hide IN your dolls house"
She laughed Such q picture of her.
Wen. at any rate. now I've come
out what have you TO say to me?"
Now you've come out" he repeated,
. and looked at her this time with full
gravity, as If he realized finally how
far she'd come.
She had taken the chair in the light
Of the eastern window. She lay back
IN. the cushions, her head a little bent
. her hands interlaced with a perfect
imitation OF Quietude. The dull satin
: Of her slender foot was the only mo-
B. fion about her. but the long, slow rise
90 and fail of her breath was just too
deep-drawn for repose.
He looked down upon her from his
height
Pm sorry I frightened you last
night" he said. but I'm not sorry I
came, since you've seen me. You
needn't have you know, If you don't
want TO. You could have stayed in
the dolls house; and there, suppose.
you think ] should never have found
you-or il again?"
He was silent a moment, leaning on
the chair opposite, watching her with
knitted forehead, while her apprehen-
sion huttered for what he should do
next He had done away with all the
-sss.-
point with a directness that took her
breath
You know what I've come for" he
said. but now I'm here, now that
see you, I wonder If there's something
] haven't reckoned on" He looked
at her earnestly. IF you think I've
taken advantage of you-if you say so
.-Tll go away. and give you a chance
10 think il over"
1t would have been so easy to have
nodded him out, but instead she half
put out her hand toward him. No;
+, stay"
He gave her quick look-surprise
and appreciation at her courage. He
dropped into chair. Then tell me
about it,"
Fiora's heart went quick and little.
She held herself very still, afraid in
her intense consciousness lest her
slightest movement might betray her
She only moved her eyes TO look up at
him questioningly, suspending ac-
acknowledgement Of what he meant until
he should further commit himself.
i mean the sapphire" he said. He
waited
yes. she answered coolly. .T saw
that il interested you last night, but
couldn't think especially why. It's a
beautiful stone.
He laughed without a sound-shook
81 mi IA
that gentleman shouldn't pounce
upon any beautiful stone he may hap
pen to see2" He got up and moved
about restlessly in the little space be-
tween their two chairs. quite so;
lay it to my being crack Drained en-
thusiast, COMPOUNDED beauty wor-
shipper, a vicious curlo dealer, an i'll
hammered asst But''-and he flashed
around at her with a snap Of his nerv-
Gus hngers-''where did you get it?"
For the life Of her she couldn't help
her wave Of color, but through it all
she chung to her festal smile. Sheer
nervousness made It easy.
Wen. suppose it was begged, Dor
rowed, or-given to me? Suppose it
came from here or far away yonder?
What's that TO DO with its beauty2"
She gave him question for question.
did you ever see It before?"
He never left of looking at her, look
ing at AeE Win nara IS II
she were some simple puzzle that he
unaccountably failed to solve.
That's rather neat, the way you
dodge me-" he said, lodging in his
turn. But I don't see il now. You're
not wearing it2"
She played Indifference with what a
beating heart "Oh, 1 only wear 1t
of and on"
@On and on" His voice suddenly rang
at her. ~On and on Why, my good
woman. it's just two days you could
have worn it at allr'
She stood up-stOod facing him. For
moment she knew nothing except
that her horrible idea was a fact She
had the eye Of the Crew idol, and this
man knew it, Yet the fact declared
gave her courage. She could face his
accusaI If only he could give the reason
for it, But after a moment, while they
looked silently at each other, she saw
he was not accusing her. He was
threatening her and beseeching her in
diligence in the same look He opened
his lips. hesitated, turned sharp about
and walked away from her.
She watched him with increasing
doubt After saying so much, was he
going TO say nothing more2 She had
he ri