St Ignatius College - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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LOVERS' CONQUEST 75 I headed the car out Market street, my little companion sat quietly, gazing at the throngs of early Christmas shoppers. Now and then I saw the tears start, and the brave determina- tion in the fine little face to keep them back. We were soon out of the business district, speeding up the Haight-street hills in the direction of Golden Gate Park. He brightened up as we entered the Main Drive, and called my attention to the pretty beds of flowers, the marvels of landscape-garden- ing, the many plots of grass where carefree children were playing .,.. just then I remembered that I had left the cablegram on the table at the hotel. By -love! What's the matter, Monsieur Ralph ? Why-er, nothing. See that rabbit nibbling away at the bush-there he's gone like a shot! Say, Achille, you didn't happen to bring the cablegram along, did you P No, he replied, I gave it to you. And I, I rejoined, left it smoothed out on the table. VVhat time did you say Uncle Gustave would return P Uncle, the little fellow answered innocently, said he would be back by six o'clock. I studied my watch for a moment-it was now three o'clockg we could take a turn through the Park, along the Ocean Boulevard, with a stopover at the Cliff House, and leisurely return to the Palace by five o'clock. Good! I answered laughing. And now for a spin ! We sped by the Conservatory, and on, circling Stow Lake, past the great Stadium, the smaller lakes, drinking in long draughts of the cool, salty breeze with which old Ocean greeted us. Gradually I drew him to speak of his mother. It was a subject he loved, and once upon it, he told me all with child- ish candor and truthfulness. You seef' he began, after papa's death, I was living in Paris with mother. I used to sell violets on the streets, and sometimes I would play the violin or sing. Mother worked

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74 IGNATIAN might also mention that our next engagement will be at Los Angeles, the week following Christmas. The call-boy knocked on the door, as the curtain rose for the third act, and the three of us walked towards the stage door. As I was leaving them, M. Le Hallier asked me to call at his hotel, which I heartily promised to do. That night I sent off a cablegram to Paris, detailing briefly the success of the quest, and urging them to cable to Achille St. Maurice-Petrovsky the news of his mother's illness. The next afternoon I drove up in my runabout to the hotel, where by good fortune I found Achille alone. The cur- tains of the room were drawng and as the little fellow arose to greet me, his eyes filled with tears, which he strove in vain to dash away. A yellow paper lay crumpled on the table beside him, and without a word he handed it to me. I smoothed it out, and read the cablegram: M, Achille St. Maurice-Petrovsky, - Palace Hotel, San Francisco, Calif. Your mother, Madame Mahe, lies seriously ill in Paris. Come at once. CSignedj H. E. Colin de Cocheval, M. D. My heart, always softened by suffering, went out to the boy. Yes, a detective is supposed to be entirely free from sentiment, but I longed at that moment to mother the child in the hour of his bitterest trial, and I yielded to the tugging at my heartstrings, and poured into his sensitive soul all the con- solation, all the tenderest expressions of sincere sympathy with which my good angel inspired me. Once more the vivid picture of my sweet mother, prostrate on the bed of death, came up before me, and I spoke words of comfort, and as mother would have wished me to do, bade him pray God to spare his dear mother until once more she would clasp her darling son to her sorrowing heart. When I saw him somewhat comforted, I branched off onto some antique anecdotes, and soon had him smiling in the midst of his tears. I then proposed an auto ride, to which he consented after much reluctance.

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76 IGNATIAN all day, and worked so hard! She thought that I stayed at home while she was out, and never knew I was singing in the street for money. But I wanted to help her. When papa lived, and we were rich, I used to take violin and singing lessons, and so could play and sing better than the other boys on the street. One morning Uncle saw me playing, and after I collected my coins, he walked home with me, talking all the time about my line voice. Next day I met him again. He asked me if I wanted a ride. There were so many things in Paris I wanted to see that I said quickly: 'Yes.' There was a carriage waiting, Uncle spoke to the driver, and we drove away. Then I seemed dizzy, but I remember the noise of the train and the rough people on the boat. I never saw my mother again. I was brought to Leipsic by my uncle, who told me that mama was killed by a 'bus. Then he had me trained for the stage, but first he changed my name, and swore that if I ever mentioned my right name or spoke of mother, he'd kill me. We were slowly moving down Market street towards the Palace. The Chronicle clock registered 5:10, a good fifty minutes before six o'clock. And, Achille,' I asked, what did you say was your right name P Oh!'Monsieur Ralph, was his frightened answer, if uncle heard me, he'd be so mad! He'd kill me-yes, me and you, too. He always has a pistol--automatic, I think he says. Sometimes he puts it right to my face, and then I faint, I am so afraid! Oh! M'sieur, you will not let him know I told you ! I had a difficult task quieting the child as we pulled up before the hotel, Believe me, Achille, I am going to play the big brother to you, and together we'll get the drop on uncle so hard, he wonit be able to call for help. We were soon at the door of the boy's room, and without knocking I opened the door. As I stepped in, a man gazing out the open window swung on his heel, and faced us, his