The San Francisco call., 1909-05-09
HE TOOK MY FACE BETWEEN HIS HANDS

to Florence. His will left all his property to me
and | sat aghast learned how very, very wealthy
he had been-with one exception. If married again
all the money went to Aunt Sue and at her death
would revert to me This condition troubled Aunt
Sue, but l in my widows weeds smiled sadly
should never marry again, | confident. Six
weeks after my husbands death all arrived in
New York. Here, some four months later my fourth
child was born. l was very i'll and physicians had
little hope of saving mother child But lived,
baby and l. and OF all my children he has been
the oveiest My convalescence slow. My
for the good man who had been my protector
grew daily and many lonely tear fell upon baby
Jacks small face My parents failed to comfort me-
My wandering life with Ned had broadened my hori-
zon and the limitations of lives spent within narrow
boundaries chafed and fretted my uneasy spirit
Suddenly realized that | free, free as never
before. | could do as pleased go whittier my fancy
took me, there was one to say me nay The exul-
tation of the thought fastened my recovery | cast
off mourning as a bird its last years plunlage /
sang again I planned a royal year for myself
alone When Jack was 16 weeks old departed for
England. Fired by my dreams of happiness
could not be sad / did not realize how ridiculousy
young | for the mother of four Children and |
surprised, pleased and puzzled by the attention
attracted Afterward | learned that the passen-
gers were divided in opinion as to whether | was
french countess an actress, with the DaDleS as prop
erty bits, adventuress
We landed in London and plunged into whirl of
excitement was thens22 My dark hair and brown
eyes, my fair skin my rosy lips, my beautiful igure
became the toast of London ! settled with chap
cron in tiny house Settled? | young, | was
beautiful, fabuously wealthy, had glorious
voice, charm, fascination, health, and | was indif-
ferent the admiration that surrounded me. What
wanted / of men?
They joined me on horseback, side
the other; they exchanged glances and polite
sword thrusts over my head; they wooed me in Ger
man, in French, in Italian; they filled rooms with
fowers-and my heart with mischief They proposed
in all the ways known to novests and many more
One ardent suitor went on his knees in cab and
sadly thrown about by the jolting ON the cobbes,
swore that he would not rise until | became his
An Austrian count tall stately, dignihed, adopted
monoclc in English style in the hope OF my favor
and sadly removed it forever when refused to be-
come his countess Life was full My voice in
demand at concerts and "at homes among the best
people in London and Paris. | bossomed into
radiance that was surprising. began to have an IN
dividual style of dress. Ny gowns and hats
copied in the papers Lady de C. became my
friend and mentor and the noble old duke of V
honored me with his exclusive attentions As fash
ionable beauty my picture sale in Bond street
The duke of M, then fascinating, if graceless
spendthrt since famous for his and marriage
to beautiful woman, bought one The papers
printed the story and added that the pcure hung
his graces bedroom wall.
One night at dinner the duke was presented to
me. queer look flashed his face.
1 have met YOU he said yes, | could not for
get Perhaps in my dreams"
Perhaps / said archy. since my portrait adorns
yonr chamber WALL And | had added the duke to
my victims. He lost no time He inplored me to.
marry him He would not take no HI refused to