The San Francisco call., 1909-12-19

That is how recall what followed the
revelation at Dicks ofice-as a terrible tange of
circumstances through which it IS almost impossible
now pick my way and calmly down facts
they Only the hour with Robert Stead stands
distinct apart from the rest-the drive through
the park and into the curving grace Of Lafayette
boulevard, late winter flirting with early spring and
dashing the spice of its intrigue through the open
cab windows; the luncheon vain little inn that
leaned over the Hudson like Narcissus seeking his
reflection. Even now l rrarvel at how was caught
up, absorbed, given not moment to think of the
experience through which I'd just passed
But the rest is confusion, horrible realization
when I left alone, recollection with the rush
Of a deluge, the bringing myself face facts; but
above all, above the thought of Dick, the fear
Of Nella, dread lest she learn the truth and during
the long hours that followed, always recurring the
question of how it was to be kept from her.
What fools she had made of US a-Doly! 1
laughed uproariousy for full three minutes unable
to stop myself She had seen through the sham of
Us, and how little different she from the women
who, knowing her history, would have drawn aside
their skirts. More fascinating, interesting than
any, She had easily taken her place of them,
been aped fawned upon-a of the half world
had Knocked the cheap subterfuges which they
resorted, the clumsy vulgarity of their affairs by
carrying one on under their very noses which they
never suspected, using II the very to
bring her among them
No, one could not blame Dolly She had played
daring game mastery one finging dust in our eyes
by the very frankness of her position. And knowing
her I dd-or did noti-I was sure it had been for
love Of the play for the sheer JOY of adventure rather
than any material advantage for the fun of laughing
at the world, chucking it under the chin, pulling its
nose, tickling its ear I had heard her express it.
The love affair with Dick must have been unsought,
avoided even, because OF fear of these very
quences. And love had succeeded in bring her at
last TO account.
After the first involuntary recoH saw Dolly
merely secondary figure of the beautiful play
things fate fings hearessly into the world of men
1t Grant Haywood who stood out of the crash
of events, pompous, sef-indulgent, constituencies
Nella's father-a SNUG satans serpent poisoning the
life Of his own child. And for his "pastimei"
shuddered to think of it The vices of my world-or
I might more politely say "pastimes"-were not
unknown to me- I was surrounded by men and
women OF the John Van Tiel and Evelyn-Ta ghern-
Steward type. But Grant Haywood was the most
exquisite product the piece de resistance of decay
ing-yes, as Nella had said-an effete civilization.
And the final artistic touch to it all was that he would
go Scot free, while only his victims suffered. 1t
must have made Mammon laugh in his sleevel
THE MocKERY OF IT ALL
It part of the mockery of the life had to lead
that I should go on following the regular routine of
things quite as if nothing else were happening
remember indefinitely attending a ball that night,
talking when the string pulled, dancing when it
was jerked Yet I glad to dance until daylight,
glad Of the binding glitter of light and Jewels glad
OF the general plunge the wine cups at the late
supper, that sent me browsing into forgetfuness
I've no doubt Nella wondered why laughed so
idotcally when she pulled me out of the crowd and
into corner to whisper that there had been no
developments to the pictures. But 1 saw her catch
hold Of Grant Haywood when he came in later, and
them 60 trembling for his to the questions
] knew she would put to him and wondering whether
Dolly, who had not appeared that night, would be
present at the conference. And all the while l was
smiling and chatting, even flirting, as though this
ball was my first
Ny mother gave luncheon to the latest importa-
ton Of titled foreigners the following day. recall
nothing Of It that endless and after hours
of waiting I went to the tableau rehearsal at Cssy
Tranes
But there always enough noise at the frames
to wake one of any kind of trance, pleasant or
otherwise. Today the place was fair imitation of
Babel Lady Chale-Gardner determined TO have those
to whom she indebted pushed to the FORE Perry
as decisively undertaking to manage the affair, SO
that his name would be mentioned among the first
in accounts OF it, taking measures of the
wrong persons chattering groups, suggestions bck-
ering rivalry scrambles for the prettiest parts and
in the midst Of the melange NJ. Geraud tearing his
hair doing his best to balance diplomacy with art
and finding it difficult task
He must have despised himself for agreeing with
Cissv Trane that she would make an adorable
Kundry to Fritzy's Parsfal, and any one could see
that he ached to give Marguerite to Jasons golden
hair whereas recently ordered portrait demanded
that one Of the Graice girls have it. Lord Burning
ham being personal friend of Lady Chale-Gardner
and the favored sutor of whichever Graice he should
decide upon, had to have Faust But left to himself
in the selection of Mephstopheles, Geraud looked
about the assembage OF high colared youths and
broad wasted bachelors and shook his head
There's only who'd make really sweet
Mephisto" suggested Jason in an audible whisper