The San Francisco call., 1913-08-03


tinued acquaintance is impossible unless you inform
us who you are and where you come from. II you
gentleman you have possible reason
for Withholding such information, which you ought
not to put in the position of insisting upon
"The word insist is very disagreeable one" he
said as imperturbably ever shaking the ash from
his cigarette
$50 is the word adventlrer" | retorted, now quite
angry. "a man whose only address is a non-exstent
town in Massachusetts has only himself to thank if
he inspires certain suspicion"
81 am forced to agree with you' he remarked
with an air of sharing my point of view and looking
hong and earnestly at his brilliantly polished shoes
81 am forced to agree with you | admit it frankly
"And is this how the matter is going to rest 2" |
demanded, after considerable pause.
at rest any way it pleases,' he replied,
awakening from sort of brown study. "NIy private
affairs my own business, and if you not
bring yourself to take me on trust ! am afraid our
brief acquaintance will have to end
"AH our acquaintance will have to end" | said,
with marked stress on the first word "Fven my
niece, think, will appreciate the need OF that"
I THOUGHT his smile wavered for moment as his
shoes again engrossed his entire attention; he
plainly less easy than he would have me believe.
"lt S too bad" he remarked finally in an aggrieved
voice. "If could explain would = only the truth
is | can't"
"Then you will kindly keep away from my family
until you can," | said. "a do without
toothbrush, and he do without socks, but he has
to have antecedentS."
''Well II agree to thing" he said recovering
his smiling effrontery. 81 II agree to keep away
from you all you like.
/ swallowed the insult in silence, though inwardly
was boiling Then rose quietly, and without rails
ing my voice departing from an ordinary conver
sational tone, said: "You have told very little,
but have learned all | want to know. You
evidently sharper and rascal, and if you continue
this impudent courtship OF my niece, | shall take
some very efectual means to squelch YOU Good day,
sir, good day."
With that | turned my heel and left him, with
a dsconcerting Of having got the worst of it.
That feeling increased during the next few days
when | heard he constant caller at klttys
apartment, and that Viola and he going out
together almost every afternoon or evening. Pro-
testing to Kitty seemed absolutely useless; she would
agree to everything | said, and then do nothing;
would put words into her mouth to say to Mr.. Cobb,
and then, when he came, she dared not say them.
gathered, however, that she had had some violent
passages with Viola in private, with results save
sullenness and resentment.
Viola, who knew mighty well what thought about
it ALL showed remarkable adroitness in euding
me. She always just going out, or having
letter to write, pressing engagement with lsobel
Latimer whenever / tried to pin her down for that
lecture she plainly dreading. One day,
after week had gone by in this manner, | lost
all patience with her. As she about to futter
away in whirlwind Of animation and excuses,
put my back to the door and smngly held her
prisoner
1--WE have to have talk about Mr.. Cobb" l said,
"and we are going to have it right now"
.Oh, but Uncle Hartley she pleaded, | can't /
can't! / have MT moment to spare truly
l have MT. have dress-ftting at Estele's, and
already ten minutes late.'
81 am a week late," | said. "a week late trying
to you and always getting put off. For once