The San Francisco call., 1909-11-14


lights and vanished into the wings.
When the lights went up, Alicia Warren dragged
me from the deluge of congratulations that threat
ened to submerge Carley and me. I'D given you the
baron for supper, my dear" she whispered, conf
IDENTIFY but I'll put Carley his place If so
DO, please! You love!" And there must
have been wicked gleam Of triumph in my eye.
All evening 1 carried on the play that had begun
with such splendid flourish cutting dances for Carley
flirting with him. begging him to enjoy the game with
when he did not appear to enter into 1t with his
usual spirit. And when finally wandered into the
mellow light of the garden to take last sip from the
tinkng fountain. Evelyn Taghern-Stewart stopped
drinking from the cup Johnny Van Tiel-who gave
promise of exceeding the Partisan bankerhad made
of his hands and trilling little giggle IN our
direction.
"Clever-Gypsy!" she drawled. catching hold Of the
basin edge. Two strings-to bow, or two beaux-
to string. always say-variety, yes, but an Amer
lean at last-if possible"
Then she sat down at the base of the fountain and
tore yard or SO of founcing from the foot of her
gown. Would you catch me that way. Carley,
boy? she looked up twinkle in her glistening eyes,
"if promised to let you win the racer?
"Oh, he's not running any more, eh?" responded
Johnny, his elbow making for Carley again. He's
crossed the line with flying colors Ell, GYPSY"
And though Carley glowered at him. laughed
little wildly, feeling the thrill of victory that was
mine.
you've won" whispered Dolly as we waited in the
foyer. 1T superb"
$50 have you" 1 nodded significantly toward
Dick. who was making his way to US. and for the
first time saw sudden cloud darken the brightness
of Dollys face.
Yes 1 had won-I felt 1t, knew it! Even when
met my mothers eyes and that they held any
thing but the look of the defeated. smiled triumph
antly into them and allowed Carley to hold hand
unnecessarily long he helped me into the motor.
But day later sat staring at printed sheet. the
words before me soaring themselves across my eyes
like white hot brand One moment before had
careessly picked up morning newspaper from my
breakfast tray, and, turning the pages. had come
suddenly upon 1t in black and whte-it must have
been black and white though the letters looked fire
red to me-the unofficial announcement Of my
gagement to baron de Berenzg OF Budapest Austria
Hungary
Only moment before I had glanced through the
newspaper for some item of interest and there
but thing vital in the world-this lie that
Knocked me from the page held, the move my mother
had saved for her final coup detat the crisis brought
about through my triumphant dance with Carley
Deane!
Tracing the Source
sank back helplessly. Yesterday victory had been
mine today the world would open wide its eyes
they met that paragraph, and it would shout with
baron declaration by playing Carey against himl
The burning fact sent home with terrible
tainty-I being forced into mans mex
orably the machine of the inqusition pushed its
victims into the pit What little fool had been to
think could circumvent old campaigner like my
mother one to whom the tricks Of diplomacy were
the BIC of daily life!
For time lay numb, wishing myself anywhere,
anyhow, only to be we'll out OF 1t ALL Slowly went
the chain of events dragging to meet what
appeared to be my destiny in spite of my loathng of
it. Then came reaction and flung myself into
last effort determined to justify my stand against
being-like all the rest-a pawn the chess board
Of life, to be moved by wills other than my own.
I flew into my clothes with vehemence that
caused my maids practiced hands to bungle, and
without giving myself time to reconsider was whrled
downtown the newspaper clutched in my hand.
When was shown into big, bare reception room
and page asked to fill in slip with my name.
my business and whom wished to see I began to
realize the task had set myself.
II want tho editor" said impatienly. If the boy
could have known how precious each moment was
to mel
But he only grnned. City" interrogatively;
Sunday, sporting?"
1 couldn't brin. myself to show that paragraph.
II want the one who has the society," took out
visiting card.
"Ohl" He disappeared with 1t and waited in
terminable five minutes before was ushered into
inner onlce and greeted by tailor made young
woman. who received me If she were my hostess
II am very much distressed" began abruptly,
sinking into the chair she pushed forward, "by this
announcement in your newspaper. can not under
stand"-I thrust the sheet toward her.
She looked at me Quizzically IL think" she raised
her eyebrows slightly, tho information ought to be
authentic We have 1t on the best authority
And think" interrupted, holding myself in tight
leash SO that my voice was hard and cod that there
is but one authority in case like this. / am quite
sure you did not receive the information from her.
since she is here to deny It."
Il am not at liberty to state from whom 1t came''
the young woman's eyes met mine frankly, yet there