The San Francisco call., 1909-05-09
At a Bohemian Affair.

One afternoon had been singing at a concert in
Queens hall when well known Journalist invited
me to go with him and his mother TO a gay bohe-
nian affair that evening. | was tired and declined
But he persisted and his mother dear white haired
old lady, added her persuasions, SO that at last
half heartedly accepted
That night | sang Chamnade's Little Silver
Ring At its conclusion my hostess presented
He was tall man. tall that |, who am
large woman, was forced to look up to him
There are those who do not acknowledge the ex-
istence of instant love. To them it is mytha fan,
tasy know that it is-that it seizes upon the soul
and commands it-an irresistible force, ifnpera-
tive command A new force, a mad suFglng torrent
of feeling turned my cold heart into glowing fur
mace of tender desire. | trembled as the DARK
inscrutablc eyes held mine.
He left me-they wanted him to sing. Swaycd by
a tumut of emotion that put both soul and body to
torture listened The song ended-and the singer
Straight the crowded room, past every tair IN
viting face, to my side he came.
The rest is quickly recounted. sent back 10
America the millionaire, refused for the last time
to become duchess, and three weeks later King and
| married. The day was dark, the church
gloomy aud cold, the fat clergyman murnbled the
beautiful service, but in my lovers eyes | saw
heaven. The nodding lilies smiled blessing, the
drowsy priest was guardian angel opening the
door of bliss the pealing randrops were our we'd
ding anthem and the cheerless church the gate OF
paradise! 4
We knew we should be poor l had told King
the terms of the will, but did not care. We
cabled my father of marriage and received an IN
slant command to come home, but we put 1t aside
for space clutched at my happiness we went
to Brighton. For two days | was madly, glo-
rously happy On the third King was to meet me
at the station to go by train to engagement he
met me-drunk with a gaping crowd at our
heels | took him home. removed his boots; l
put him to bed. Then, dry eyed faced the wreck
of my fools paradise and my life's tragedy. For |
loved him God! is there tragedy worse than this !
/ had found my souls master, and he was drunk
ard | had given the love that worthy men sought
as jewel of great price to this diseased mind
had given my children this boated, distorted form
for a father. And worst of ALL loved him still
and perhaps for always. In dumb misery slept
When the stupor he sought me- was
eager to forgive. listened to his words his great
happiness had overwhelmed hint would not De
ever again | believed.
We left for America The voyage was torment.
/ looked .at this man in wonder-this handsome
brilliant talented giant, who in vain pted his love
for me against his love for drink He told me OF
his black moods, which only liquor could asstage
He asked my help, and |, in my youthful courage
determined to save him. None guessed Our trouble
shielded him.
We met cold reception at home. My father was
furious because | had not married the millionaire
he had selected for me- King-although they knew
not his besetting sin-did not please him.
You have married my daughter; now take care OF
her and her children, said my father.
II WILL said King but it enormous
tract We had left all our English engagements to
please my father by coming home, and | begged
him to continue the remittance he had always regu
larly sent me. He. however, incensed that he
cut the sum in half, making it inipossiby for
to live it. We adopted the only course possible
and returned to England. There renewed our old
life in part. For brief period happy; we
rather enjoyed living in few rooms with one maid
and riding in bus instead of carriage. The
children happy always, going to school and play
ing contentedly We had Joined the ranks of profess
sonas. / missed my gowns, my servants, my atten-
tions but loved my husband My money held out
we made Then the season over and
London was deserted.