The San Francisco call., 1909-10-31


revelation. All through the evening-after
that terrible moment in the automoble-I
had assduousy avoided baron de Berenzg, not
alone because ! couldn't bear the thought of be-
ing with him, but to contradict whatever stories
Perry Vikings ready tongue would not fail TO cir
oulate. I knew he had been witness of the scene
In the motor and was in mortal fear of his rnisnter
pretation Of II.
Mother" I managed to whisper as were being
helped into our wraps, don't ask the baron
with US"
She raised her eyebrows, adjusting expression
of mild surprise
"If you do" added desperately, "I'l refuse to ride
with him I'll ask Nella to take home"
"And make a scene?" inquired my mother
temptuousy. You've hardly come to sorry
pass, my dear"
i turned away, miserably conscious that she was
right; that I should have the courage to fling
myself thus openly before the Juggernaut of Gossip
But I might have been happier bravng the wheels
of the monster then and there than to subject my
self, as did, to all that followed.
Baron de Berenzig joined US, matter of course
stepped from the little electric elevator and at
once bent over my mothers hand, expressing his
pleasure that her slight indisposition of the early
evening had not prevented her attendance 1t seemed
he must have had opportunity to do that
before the moment of departure, but from my
mothers greeting they appeared net to have met be-
fore
shrank from his touch as he helped me into the
motor yet my mother made place for him beside
her with an "Of course you're coming with u.s." and
smiled invitingiy.
He stepped in and I turned staring out into the
night, my lips set hard to control the tears that
threatened TO deuge me When reached home
went straight to my room and gave them their way
determined at least that my mother should not know
of my weakness I had not spoken word on the
way and had felt the wrath gathering under her cool
brow at my hasty good night as baron de Berenzig
helped from the I knew must meet her
on her ground and of one thing was firmly con-
WINGED, my rage was quite equal 10 hers.
Ny sympathetic little maid helped into dress
ing gown, patting my shoulder meanwhile and plead
ing that she be allowed to battle my head in de
cologne But I told her she need not wait up for
me- quite prepared to spend the remainder of
the hours until breakfast in my mothers boudor.
received my knock, and when l en-
tered found the vacant though the logs flaming
under the marble mantel and the big chair pulled
close to the CRATE indicated that an occupant was
expected.
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER
had intended entering the field of battle with my
mothers own weapons at hand-coolness and
qusite sarcasm. But as I paced up and down while
the clock ticked away long moments that seemed
drawn expressly tantalize me, / reviewed her
part in the affair, and by the time the swish of her
gown announced her coming I was keyed up to my
natural inclination go straight to the point with
neither stratagem subterfuge.
I faced her with eyes blazing the wrath had been
strangling all evening.
IF any one had told me-" cried, that you would
deliberately plot to subject me to the insults of
scoundrel I should have branded the statement lie
It seems role too impossible even for the most
natural mother TO play"
Ny mothers brow remained unwrinked, but her
ed She info chz md drew
scarf about her shoulders. 81 playing
role you inclined TO do every possible
casion" she answered calmly. Il neither reve in
trsgcs, nor am at home acting the fool leave
both Of these for my daughter"
I sat down on the very edge of the divan, leaning
forward. well, she has finished playing the fool"
flung out, "once and for ALL That's what I've
TO tell you. 1 refuse TO be either puppet pawn
IN whatever game you and baron de Berenzig
TO have planned"
so now it's a game, Really, my dear child" my
mother shrugged, your metaphors of the street
confusing, to say disagreeable Suppose We deal
IN facts instead Of figures"
rose and began pacing the room again Suppose
we do" agreed, stopping before my mothers chair
"NyeH, then 1 know that you purposely invited the
baron TO join us this evening, that your headache
was ruse to leave alone and that in spite of the
hazardous position in which he might have placed
both last winter you have made yourself party
his designs, whatever they may be-
DO YOU mean to say"-a look of real astonish-
nent sped across my mothers face. Didn't he tell
Won ne had divorced his wife?
Quite sol And that there no
brsnce in the way of marrying me. He ought to
be living IN Utah-it would be more convenient for
him AS if I thing. creature of neither
brains soul nor backboner
(which is just what you proving yourself to
be-" my mother reused herself Any one who shows
herself as ncapacitated as you did tonight-as you
are doing now-must not be left alone to make
IDIOT and Iaughingstock of herself Last year you
would have welcomed the chance to marry baron de
Berenzig"-
4And this year" interrupted hotly. there is