The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1910-08-28

a sort Of sh&ns mat tossed the long
locks out Of his eyes. and faced aroune
IN his chair and saw me. Hs didn'E
seem surprised at finding me there.
couldn't be sure that he had not known
Just where I was all the while: but
though he looked at me so steadily It
was not, somehow. like a stare. He
did not look at me quite as IL I were
a human being. but as il I were a
statue or picture. He was the one
who turned away. Then I sat looking
a the back of his head.
There was a murmur of talk all
through the room. but above it I heard
two men behind me greeting each other.
One said. Well. what's the gameP
Is she a. stricken widow or hopef II
fiancee?''
"A little of both. 1 guess" the other
answered. she's been pretty good to
Rood-ten years-but he was getting
gray and fat. and the fair Carlotta her
self Is nearing the age when a woman
begins TO yeaTn for beauty and youth.
There's one thing / will say for her.
though. she seems to be hard hit I
never saw the man CarlOtta would
turn her little finger over for before.
and she's going in for acquittal with
all she's got"
IT'S scandaIous. that's what ~ is"'
L heard the first speaker bring down
his fist on his open palm.
"Oh, don't know" the other said
Il think it's pretty decent of her. and
she may manage it. Great is Car
Iotta.'
They moved away. and I sat still.
staring stupidity at the back of johnny
Montgomsrys head. The cool. caIIous
tones of the men knocked on nv heart
like blows. I was amazed at the ia
miliar way they spoke of the Spanish
woman, in spite of all her dignity and
comma Q6ino nj, Int h., IL.
speaking of Johnny Montgomery as IL
he belonged to her was intolerab BILE
1t was ridiculous, of course. il might
be that she was interested in his case.
might even be in love with him; but
that he should care for her
was so unnerved that I didn't notice
fathers temperance until he leaned
over and touched my arm
You will probably be called next
he said Then, he must have felt me-
trembling and supposed it to be ner-
vousness. Remember. for the honor
Of the family" he whispered. smiling
The lawyers and the men who had
been writing were all coming back to
their places; and then Mr.. Dingley hur-
ried in and down the aisle to where
we were.
My dear Fred" he began. and then I
couldn't hear any more. because he
pulled father by the arm until they
stood little farther off from me. where
they talked very earnestly for some
moments. Father looked perfectly dis
gusted.
Next time. be very sure before you
order our presence in court" he said as
he came back to his chair. II am capa-
Bile of great disagreeableness as you
know"
Mr.. Dingley smiled and rubbed his
hands. and said these little unexpected
things would turn up. Then. as the
Judge was coming into the room he
FASTENED back into his place. Father
threw his coat over his arm and said,
Come along. Ellie
What is the Natter I asked
"Oh, one of their Internal technical
bitches After insisting on your pres
ence this morning, your testimony is
not required"
/ got up very slowly. I couldn't re-
sist sending one glance toward where
Johnny Montgomery was sitting. and
as l did so he turned his head. 1t was
the same quiet gaze he had given me
before. 1t must have been only my
fancy that saw something wistful IN II I;
but 1 hated to go. I felt as IL I were
leaving him alone In the hands OF his
enemies 1t seemed impossible for me
to remember that OF all those enemies
he had I was the very worst.
To Be Continued Next Sunday