The San Francisco call., 1910-11-20

worst can't tell which. Only it
seems like I must warn you Off I'd
rather do that now. Sylvia. than some
time when you look at me and know
and feel-when it was too late"
Yes" she had strange pathos of
faith in the look she gave him, i
know. Something's fighting in YOU
your souI-and there is God-yes,
God who cares. Else you wouldn't
care, tell you; else you'd never care
to save me. Yes-youve a soul and it's
trying"
Perhaps" he muttered. and per-
haps there's the God you pray to. But
never have believed-Tve never
cared"
Believe now" she answered You're
leaving me. and I'm only asking that
believe and try, oh tryp'
He looked on her in such dumb Won
der out of his misery that at last her
tears were falling that he could be so
stricken and so still.
Lets 60" she Whispered, and
checked the sob. "But there's God
who cares, and I'm caring always; and
you can believe and you can try all
your life long. Now. come" she added.
And then, as they went along toward
the hotel overhanging the ocean rocks.
Arnold silent in bewilderment, she cried
better, and you can't forget
Within the dining room she paused
by a small table, laying down her
gloves and the little silken case which
held the money he had that morning
withdrawn from the Maplewood and
given back to her. IT think I'll fix my
hair" she said. TITS all blowy."
And again, with wonder at her gem
tleness, he watched her go to the
dressing room. He tried to cry out
and 1t was a mutter; God cares! and
he repeated It, not knowing what he
said: God cares-God caresr'
A waiter smoothed the cloth and set
the silver, while Arnold stared down
the sun brilliance on the wet coast
leagues to where the California noun
tains rose. a blue barrier.
''I did it wrong" he muttered. "She
doesn't understand ! told 1t wrong,
omehow-somewhere.
The seals on the ancient rocks
barked in silly bravado; on the drive
the carriage wheels glittered; on the
beach children shouted The young
, man saw one, bare legged in the win
ter wind, sturdily tugging at its pail
of sand and wondered If 1t was not
cold; he himself, shivered In the draft
down the corridor. Then he glanced at
his wateh-she had been gone eight
minutes He waved away the ap
cliff, he saw some men ON pinnacle
gesticulating and pointing at the
seethlng whirlpools at It's base. From
a window below him mans bald head
protruded; he, too was gesturing. In
the yeasty waves plunging among the
rocks so feet below, a blue drenehed
object was boiled up and sucked under.
He dashed up in a swift fear. star
ing out in the sun radiant net of spray
hiding the caverns. But it was a bit
Of flotsam of the sea- Then he whirled
about at a touch. with a face ashy as
the rocks. A small tightly buttoned
boy, who sold cigars about the tables
held a paper to him.
Table seven" he said. Single gent
Its you. Lady gave me this for you
She took a car"
Car? Did you see her take the
carr"
yes. sir. Blue car. Haight street
line 10 minutes ago. She told me tC
wait that long.
Arnold took the note. Below the
ornate letter head of the hotel was
written in Sylvia's girlish hand:
Dear John-I can't understand, but
never mind. I believed in you always
and I prayed If you don't love me
it's all right. l told you there's Goo
to understand And I won't take the
money. I've more. and maybe this viii
help you through it ALL You've Away:
been fine to me, and I'm all right. Tn
thinking about home-but it's lonely
in the country up in back. Always.
SYLVIA
At 10 o'clock that night Arnold wan
dered into the Maplewood saloon Hill
face was flushed, his eyes sparklet
alertly, shooting nervous glances a
the habitues but he spoke to none
Ferreri idled over the bar; he was ig
nored. Cronies spoke curiously to him
buzz of comment followed him as h.
passed to the rear of the establish.
ment under the blaze of the electri,
lights. He went along the passage