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

Page 24 text:

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

Page 23 text:

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

Page 25 text:

LOVES' CONQUEST 77 face the picture of rage and despair. It was uncle, a piece of yellow paper was crumpled, crushed between thumb and forefinger. An ugly automatic revolver lay on the table. I saw it was time for action, for quick action, no more dis- guising, things had come to the crisis. As he stood staring at us, I coolly took out my pocketbook and extracted the letter, which the day before I had received from Paris. Slowly I unfolded the pages. Monsieur Jean Louis Champol, I began. With a cry of rage, he reached for his weapon, but I was ready for him, and had him covered. He Hung a curse at me, as he sank limply into a chair. I then read the letter, charg- ing him with abducting his nephew, Francois Mahe, whose mother now lay at the point of death. He heard me through, and then, with a volley of oaths, vowed vengeance. I was short with him. Monsieur Champol, I will give you just twenty-four hours to get out of town, if you are found here by this hour to-morrow, I will turn you over to the civil authorities. You will now leave us alone. Pk Ii: Pk if if Ik Pk 325 It was dusk on Christmas eve when the boy Francois and I mounted the marble steps of the great Parisian I-Iospital. A Sister of Charity, a kindly smile on her sweet face, met us at the office, and offered to conduct us to the room of the lad's mother. She told us as we went along that all had been looking forward eagerly to our arrival, and that she, as superioress of the large institution, had received our fre- quent telegrams, and had undertaken the welcome task of breaking the news gently to the sick parent. The silent corridor seemed never-ending, faintly came the odors of the hospital, here and there a light flashed and a nurse in white cap and apron Hitted quietly past us to answer the summons. Suddenly the Mother Superioress stopped, and with a sign for us to wait, knocked on a door close by. A young nurse opened it, and as I looked into the dimly-lighted room, I saw resting upon the smooth white pillows of the bed, a pale,