The San Francisco call., 1909-11-07
Told hx Rita Weiman

IS her hand for a gold cigarette case on the read
s. ing table at her SIDE that having the amount
.:.. Of family I've been blessed with might be
= looked upon as an embarrassment of riches But
.fter all you've told me- Gypsy mine, I'm coming to
think il something OF convenience
I had pulled Nela abruptly into the reality of my
woes out Of muck coveted realm of dreams and shs
had listened to my story with sympathy,
siderag the early hour and the short space of rest
she had enjoyed.
There's Father Pennng," she went on, drawing
cigarette lightly through her long, sensitive fingers,
who wouldn't care particularly whether I married
one baron or a dozen, so long he didn't have to
supply the necessary dowries. My mother would
never urge such part because these international
Knots are such nuisance to unite. In fact she
wouldn't trouble herself to urge anything-her own
affairs are OF so much more importance-though IT is
continuous puzzle to her why don't marry Billy
until find some one 1 like better" She paused to
light her cigarette and delicate of mist rose,
sotening the tired lines around her eyes and mouth
TO Mrs. Hayward I'm an unknown quantity; it
doesn't concern her whether I'm represented by one
or q union OF two AS for my own Daddy Hayward,
. dear man. I think he'd be much interested in
seeing Mrs. Dolly carry off the catch OF the season.
He's always bohering tell him who is her latest
heigho. Gypsy She raised her arms above her
head, but quickly dropped them again. There isn't
any one who cares much, and I-Pm beginning to
cafe less"
~ She turned on her pillow, her face from me, and 1
ch0ked little In spite of the light laugh of her voice
there was no mistaking the bitterness in it With two
sets of parents to turn to Nela had always been
= hopeiessly alone
: Look here old girl" tried to laugh "I came over
here in deep azure mood and you're doing your best
20 make It q deep indigo. Haven't you me?-and
+ care What do you suppose I'd do if you to
marry just because you rather liked the idea of chang
:ng your again?
II might get to be too much of habit in the fam
=. iv eh? Well" she slipped her into pale blue
embroidered kimono her maid had brought and sat
up ropping herself against the uncertain support of
q mass OF lingerie pillows, there's little enough
riety make life interesting; why not try in hus-
bands:"
- think I'll arrange to have you take baron de
Besenzg off my hands" I chaffed, you two
:: have ideas that would conveniently match"
TRY Dolly" Nella advised her eyes twinklng
through the smoke that sent up veil between
'Scaiping is her long suit I've got her here with
. row-dragged her over yesterday, when father and
Mother Pennng left on a sudden impulse for Lenox,
! rather think the impulse Colonel Griswolds
lie decided he needed change and persuaded mother
ta; she did too and then Father Penning came the
. conclusion that if any changes be made he'd
best be on hand to see that they weren't radical
50 they've gone off together all three, and I've made
Dolly desert her apartments to keep things lively
:or me.
r OPPORTUNITY FOR SCANDAL
suits my convenience just at present to persuade
he: that its putting her head into the lions mouth
=. iiye alone, she does, with only house keeper
take Of her. I'm surprised people haven't asked
questions long ago-s such splendid opportunity for
scandal" Nellie rang for her maid and sent word to
Mrs. Dolly to join US. Though, after ALL" she
added "Dolys SO satisfying in herself that nobody
demands to know anything more about her. She's
like champagne-who cares where the bubbles come
from so long as they make forget troubles?'
She reached she finished for another cigarette, and
/ noticed that her slim hand shook little.
"Aella girl, I said anxiously, leaning over her, 81
wish you wouldn't smoke much; you
used to"
Nella frowned. q can't help II, Gypsy. It's the
only thing that holds my together; they're get
ting be uncertain fate 1t pulls taut the wires
. flat keep dancing I'd fall to pieces without it.
"Whew" I demonstrated, "Fve enough to
send me stimulants keep me awake and drugs to
put me to sleep"-Nella looked hastily away from
mesyet all I'm going to resort to is good straight
fight"
I'D give anything have something worth fight
ing for" NelIas eyes met mine again. ut would help
me-but there" She crushed the fire from her cigar
cite and let it drop the tray. I'm not partial to
black eyes when they're angry, and I'm not going to
give you one thing more to worry about" She
reached up and drew my face down close hers "Its
only an outlne-te-after all, she laughed, and we
can I'll II in most any way desire represent the
realistic school, Dolly the mpressionstic and you the
romantic-that's why we're such delightful trio
dare say"
And just then Dolly herself happened in. If there
any time when Dolly looked more wonderful than
she did at all times it that trying time of
all, between breakfast and On this particular
morning she had her strange hair that in some lights
looked silver and in others gold massed carelessly on
top of her head and frolcsome little curls danced from
IL keeping time to the sparkle of her eyes. long
silken velvet pegnoir, amethyst, violet or lilac in
tone she moved swung about her. and the tips