The San Francisco call., 1909-12-12
DICKS PERTURBATION


my dear boy, calm yourself Yes, that was the
unfortunate novel had to make though I thought
forced into most unpleasant position by woman
/ considered clever enough to be discreet. told her
this affair with you would have to be stopped, and
if she did not do it I'd make it my business to-
Dick shaking. / could feel it in his voice, in his
words, could feel his every heart throb She told
everything about herself-al the miserable life
she had lead before Brooke married her. about her
posing and dancing and strugglng'-
The excessively polite voice interrupted. "Yes,
dare say But she posed because she wanted to, she
danced because it in her. because her mother
the dancer of Vienna in her day, and when she said
I'd have to launch her into New Yorks upperdom
if-well, | knew she could do anything she set out
to- and that she wasn't any worse than most of the
wonderland by Jove, she's made them sit upP
the voice, still oily, went II know you didn't
thatl Don't take it so hard, my boy. I'm
telling you for your sake If you hadn't wanted
to marry her do you suppose I would have suffered
the humiliation of coming TO your"
You're 1ying Where are proofs: what you
show me1 It's too damnable thing
"My dear fellow, a takes his pastimes without
thinking of consequences Ask her yourself, ask
about her life after Brooke died Why do you think
she's put you off so long? Because I made her,
laugh like the blade of knife cut the word in
two ITO save me, of coursei Altruism, eh? Do
know what are"-(the words were muttered
and lost them)
"Il forget that since the question is one of honor
between gentlemen was the reply, though the oil
of the voice flowed less smoothly.
"Honorl" Dick laughed loudly. "N1y Cod man.
can't you see the humor in it? Honorl Are you so
utterly LOST The words may have stranged in
his throat but longer heard
The door to the outer hall had opened and facing
me where sat huddled in my chair, powerless to
move, stood Robert Stead As the sharp, broken
sentences through the partly open door he took
step forward his quick eyes travelled past paused,
then darted back to me with look in them man
might have feared.
tried to speak, but every breath choked me. He
and touched my and it was like
current of electricity passing between And then
two great foolish tears rolled down my cheeks.
"Ive heard, Mr. Stead l had to listen IL
couldn't move
quality of wonan's "Its ugly thing for little
girls ears. But don't worry about Dick He's young
enough to get this"
"Then you know?" I sent the startled question to
him more with eyes than lips
"I had suspicion of the truth long ago. Do you
remember when I asked you TO help me? / thought
then we might save Dick this experience"
What going to do@ | asked helpessly.
"Iet things shape themselves they're bound to,
any way I wouldn't let him know that I'd heard,
though 1t can't help any II You could forget all
his strong muscular hands locked my cold ones.
''Don't you think you could'"
looked up at him with queer, wry little smile.
''It's odd how ugly things going all
about us and it's comedy and then when the same
thing comes way, ts-its tragedy"
He fairly lifted me out of the chair. 1T looks to
me like Mysteries; and then I'd be the helpless one
little He caught himself, and the tender
woman's note in his voice vanished in a laugh
You're coming with me back to normal conditions
This isn't good for you. Well drive up through the
park and have luncheon- No, / drew back
"I'm asking whether you want to go, I'm taking
your
(Continued Next Sundavl