The San Francisco call., 1909-01-03

mans heart felt lighter. "A mistakes
the fellow took me for some one he
knew" he told her carelessly.
The assurance satisfied her. She
rested quietly. wrapped up in personal
concerns. Her companion pensively
contemplated an inhnity OF arid and
hansomless tomOrrOws. About them the
city throbbed in a web of misty twf-
light. the humid farewell OF a dismal
day. In the air a faint haze swan,
rendering the distances opalescent.
Athwart the western sky the after
glow OF drenched sunset lay Ike =
wash OF rose madder. Piccadilly's
asphalt shone like watered silk. black
and lustrous, rejecting a myriad lights
in vibrant ribbons OF party colOred
radiance. On every hand cab lamps
danced like fire flies. the rumble OF
wheels blended with the hollow pound
ing Of uncounted hoofs. merging in
sensibly into che deep and solemn
roar OF London town.
Suddenly KirkwoOd was recalled to
a sense of duty by a glimpse of HYDE
park corner. He turned 70 the girl.
Il didn't know where you wished to
So-g'
She seemed to realize his meaning
with surprise. as one. whose thoughts
have strayed afar, recalled to an i'm
peTative. world.
'Oh. did / forgete Tell him please
70 drive to number ., FrOgna1 street.
Bloombury.
Kirkwood poked his cane through
the trap, repeating the address The
cab wheeled smartIy across Piccadilys
swung into Half Moon street. and
thereafter made better time. darting
briskly down abrupt yistas OF shining
pavement, walled in by blank visaged
houses. or round two sides OF one
Of London's innumerable private
ri r-r
glOwed with a tender green in
artificial light; now and again il
crossed brilliant main arteries Of travel.
and eventually emerged from a maze {.
of bacEways into Oxford street. to harnS
mer eastward 10 TOttenham court
road.
Constraint hung like a curtain be-
tween the two; silence which the
young man forbore to moderate. finding
more delight that he had cared Cor
dared) confess to. in contemplation OF
the pure girlish profile so close to him.
She seemed quite unaware Of him.
lost in thought, large eyes sober. lips
serious that were fashioned for laugh
ter, round little chin firm with some
occult resolution. It was not hard to
fancy her nerves keyed to a high pitch
of courage and determination, nor easy
10 guess for what reason watching
always. keenly sensitive TO the beauty
Of each salient line betrayed by the
flying lights. KirkwoOd's own con-
sciousness lost itself in a prohtless.
even a perilOus labyrinth OF conjecture
The cab stopped. Both occupants came
to their senses with a little start The
girl leaned out over the apron. recOg-
nized the house she sought IN one
swift glance. testified TO the reeOgni-
tion with a hushed exclamation, and
began 10 arrange her skirts. KirkwOOd.
nh fafn al
jumped out, interpOsing his cane be-
tween her skirts and the wheel Simul-
taneously he received a vivid mental
photograph Of the locality.
FrognalI street proved to be one OF
those byways. a short block in length.
which, hemmed in on all sides by 4
meaner purlfeu has-even IN Blooms
eye Of the keeper of furnished lOdg-
ings, retaining jealously something OF
the old time dignity and reserve that
were its pride Ia the days before. So
ciety swarmed upon Mayfair and Bel
gravia.
Its houses loOmed tall. with many
windows mostly ightless-materially
aggravating that air Of isolate. cold
dignity which distinguishes the Eng
iishman's castle. Here and there stood
one less bedraggled than its neighhors.
though all. without exception. spoke
assertively of respectability down at
the heel but fighting tenaeiously for ex-
istence. Some, vanguards Of that i'm
minent day when the boarding house
should reign supreme. wore with
shamefaced air placards % estate
agents, advertising their susceptibility
to sale or lease. In the company OF the
latter was number 9.
The American noted the circumstance
subconsciousIy, at a moment when Miss
warm and compact in its white glove.
lay IN his own. And then she was on
the sidewalk her face, upturned to
his, vivacious with excitement
"You have been so kind" she told
him warmly. that one hardly knows
how TO thank you. Mr.. KirlSwOOdF
"I' have done nOthing-nOthing at
ALL" he mumbled disturbed by sud-
den, unreasoning alarm for her.
She passed quickly TO the shelter OF
the pillared porticO. He followed
clumsily. On the door step she turned,
Offering her hand. He took and re-
tanned it,
Good night" she said
I'm to understand that I am dis
missed, them he stammered ruefully.
She evaded his eyes. thank you
II have no further need"
You are quite sure? Won't you be-
neve me at your service
She laughed uneasily. I'm all right
row"
II can do nothing more? Surer
Nothing. But you-you make me
almost sorry can't Impose still further
upon your good nature"
Please don't hesitate"
Aren't you very persistent. Mr. Kirk
wood?" Her fingers moved In his;
burning with the reprOof he released
them. and turned to her so wOebegone
countenance that she repented OF her
severity. Don't worry about me.
please. / am truly safe now. Sonic day
hope to be able to thank you ade-
quately. Good nightg'
Her pass key grated In the lock-
Opening, the door disclosed dark and
uninviting entry hall. through which
there breathed an air heavy with the
dank and dusty odOr OF untenanted
rooms. Hesitating on the threshold.
over her shoulder the girl smiled kind
ly upon her Communicated esquire. and
stepped within
He lifted his hat automatically. The
door closed with an echoing slam He
turned to the waiting cab. fumbling