The San Francisco call., 1909-11-28


raised appealingly and loosened his grip, that
a has to show his love-when it's the genuine
artice-in exactly the way he's used to dozers
of chorus girls. It's not fair either him to the
girl"
In spite of chill of dread I couldn't help laughing
at the frankness of the confession. Perhaps, said
warningy, what he feels for her isn't very different
from what he has felt for them-a of inoxication
brought about through unusual circumstances Per-
haps" l hurried on "it isn't really love. Oh,
clasped my hands his lips moved in protest, 1t
can't be- If it he'd know instinctively that his
speaking of it only made her miserable. Carley,'
pleaded, "don't-don't make me feel like criminalT
He turned away from me- but presently felt the
old reassuring, friendly clasp of his wry hand
Don't YOU think l suggested tremblingly, "is
would be-safer to go back and-play bridge?"
We turned in the path and faced the house, and
l did so a cry caught my lips The moon shone
with the certainty of spotlight the balcony where
Dick had stolen with Dolly after her refusal to dance
1t illumned against the sky the tableau of
held in mans arms, and within the long window
behind them it fell slantwise the figure of
Grant Haywood
L stopped where / stood, for in a fash it had come
to me that he was the man had with Dolly in
the conservatory the night of Neas dance, the same
who had hurried past his fur collar pulled up about
his face, that day we had met her Unexpectedly IN
the little French restaurant
Bewildered, / glanced toward Carley. He was gaz-
ing straight ahead, his lips set firm, obvious Of the
scene l had encountered. My eyes flew upward
again. Dolly had darted out of Dicks arms and was
looking about her suspciousy, evidently conscious
of another presence But Grant Haywood had dis
appeared. A moment later she and Dick left the
balcony and when l reached the house with Carley
they were before US in the hall.
Perhaps it was because of what / had seen, PEE
haps the medley of suspicious crowding my brain,
but later in the evening, when the stakes were run
ming high and the roulette wheel was spinning fast
and furious Nea's father step close to Dollys
side and whisper what from his expression might
have been command. They were at the outer edge
of the throng about the wheel and Dolly looked up
hurredly, the laughter gone from her eyes Never
before had l seen fright in them. Then she caught
up the lacy train of her gown, went softly the
hall and Grant Haywood followed her into the draw
ing
Condolences OF THE NIGHT
went up to my room trying to sort the mad whirl
of thoughts that my head spinning like the wheel
had just left Grant Haywood was Doliy's mysteri-
Gus companion of those two occasions when / had
puzzled over his identity And had recog-
nized him. Small wonderl What did it all means
Who would have thought there could be anything
clandestine between Dolly and the who, through
his own daughter. had introduced her into our midst?
That conversation had overheard-surely it implied
some secret understanding But what? What could
her place Nellas constant companions | wandered
heplessly in a maze that led always back to where
had started
There was Dick, too-had Dolly given him
explanation? And Nella-oh if only it had been she
stopped in my tramp up and down the room remem-
bering the look OF realization Nellas face as the
two had gone together. Then caught up scarf
? and sped down the corridor to her No answer
came to my knock and l opened the door hastily,
] ridiculous fear clutching
Nella was lying across the bed, still in her evening
gown l shall always think of the cream and rose
of that room like the heart of flower, the satin
hangings and cushions, the exquisite luxury OF its
furnishings the soundless rugs, the shaded lights
of the dressing table and Neas colorless face, her
frail body in its hlmy gown, dead white silhouette
against the rich of the coverlet She was such
: a picture of hopeless surrender bent over her
GYPSY" She opened her eyes dizzly- I've sent
Jeanne away that could be aone-to think things
Y over" She sat up and little glass bottle rolled
from her hand ~ the floor.
picked up then looked at Nella IN startled ques-
ton The bottle contained small white tablets
ITS nothing, DEAR" che answered my unspoken
query. "Just tiny dose-a doctors prescription
to make me sleep. l haven't had to take the stuff
for--weeks. But tonight-weI,, I'm not quite ft7
: you're not quite happy, Nela. slipped an arm
. about her and she sagged against me. "Tell
! why" But knew too we'll
HappinessY Her slim. nervous hand waved ave- away
came my way I'd probably close the door in its face
, and say it had come to the wrong house.
v "Its bound to your way, | said. stohdy, re-
assuring myself with the words And when it does
you'll not fail TO recognize it.
D Nella leaned her head against my shoulder "We
may as we'll face it. Gypsy" she said, low voice
Were effete-empty shells. Our lives arti
fetal as our compilations How expect
find happiness in them?
n guiped. hard Then l tried to laugh "At any
rate you and ought not to be great sufferers. My
complexion n's-alnost all my own. Why, Nella, girl
raised her chin and looked into eyes heavy with
tears-Nela's eyes that seldom acknowledged such
weakness-"Tomorrowy you'll wake up and laugh at
yourself for this melancholy mood
"I' wake up she flung arm across her face
and sank out OF my clasp on to the bed TO a food