The San Francisco call., 1909-05-30


sheltered from contact with what he called the
filth of his fellow creatures OF the awful barter
and exchange between men and women l was abso-
lutey innocent at that time. am not sure but that
the awakening, when it did come, was not all the
harder for this ignorance;
/ have n1atured very slowly, mentally and phys
ically. My youthful looks are the outward sign of
very slow inward growth. Doubtless if had been
with girls of my age | would have
known more OF men and their morals
Iutreau was queer chap | had always known
that he not related to in any way, but he
never referred either to his past or family That he
born gentleman is beyond question In his
habits and dress he refined the point of asdi
Never, in the little New York fiat, did
he appear before in negligec, and my first lesson
from him that must out of my room in
the morning i'll my nghtdress In fact, remember
that when he provided me with dressing gown
thought this article of apparel very remarkable
and unnecessary addition to my wardrobe ] never
Lutrcau give admiring look TO woman;
he showed impartially to and women, charm
ing, cordiality. I do not think cared
for him He too impersonal.
If in the gambling rooms came too close to
attempted any familiarity, Lnreau had fashion
of looking him long and slowly, steely light in his
eyes, until the read his meaning. This look
lared UP danger signal that last visit of Zikas
The little beast can not call him anything else
had his hand my bare shoulder and leaned over
my chair until his hot breath my cheek. He
had time for words. Lutrcau's face grew fairly
black with anger though his voice was steady enough
he bade say goodnight to the company
After | left the room words were passed. pro-
voked by sneering remark from Zika Just what
was said never knew but, though the incident raised
uproar the affair did tend to help position
The two strange alternated with other
strangers in dropping in, but Lutrcau was on and
took chances playing straight game and keeping
me idle. But there was little money in that and he
began to absent himself more frequently and for
longer periods. What his occupation while
away did not know. but | was not allowed to see
any one during his absence
Ne had an old French who was maid OF
all work and chaperon as WE'LL How she could lie
have heard her by all the saints to tales that
could only be evolved by perfervid imagination
Iutreau would let scod her for this incor
rigible untruthfuness; he insisted that she
fine an article be spoiled besides he believed in
every one working out his own salvation.
\ x@Nonnterference with others" he would say, is
the basic principle from which is evolved the only
satisfactory form of existence
/ have found this bit of Lutreaus idle philosophy
to be very good prccept. At all events,I did not
interfere with Marie and her glib tongue stood me in
good stead
| affixed many signatures to various notes and
checks during those last days in Paris, and | felt
irstinctvey that change at hand.
Lutreau woke one morning at o'clock; we
got few things together and out of Paris be-
fore sunrise. We left Marie at the apartment with
instructions remain week longer; she then
to join us at a small resort in the Alps This, OF
course, was ruse; did not see Marie again. Ii
she ever went the rendezvous she found only her
return fare to Paris, which Lutreau careful to
mail in Paris so that there would be telltale
postmark.
When we left apartment drove rapidly to
small house in dngy quarter of the city. Lutreau
paused, after dsmissing the cab, and peered about
him before he approached the house, the door of
which silently opened to us. There were few
hurried words with one could not see whether
it was man or woman, the hall was in such total
darkness. Lutreau led me to shabby room and told
don the clothes that were lying on the bed In
20 minutes we left the house by back entrance that
took through long dark alley into another street
Lutrcau garbed priest. as sister OF charity
In this disguise we went Brussels, doubled back,
and in a weeks time in London, installed IN
comfortable lodgings But, alas for the vanity begot
of my pretty Paris frocks!
| was introduced to London curly headed
boy in trousers Eton coat and broad white collar
Lutreau wore his own black hair. which was
lightly sprirked with gray; black mustache and
hdeous side whskcrs that changed the entire express
sion of his face Smart, English cut clothes well
padded out gave him additional size, and lifts IN his
shoes made him taller.
He looked like prosperous businessman, and as
his English was perfect there seemed little chance OF
our being recognized
Those boyhood days of mine often come back to
me | felt horribly awkward at first. but soon grew
to like the freedom from skirts. looked ridculousy
childish, and the mother old soul who attended to
our needs would not believe that was the IA years
that Lutrcau claimed for me. In reality was al
most 1S
Lutreau had left the name of Janvicr IN Paris; we
were Middcton father and son, and our hrst few
,,,a,t,s o,d.,, ,.ve ,,,,eveotfuf NJ lived ouiety