The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-26
Z" A CLOD."
Written for THE MoRSINa CALL

EIgfE'S decidedly good-looking and so
rs stylish, said Edith Arlington, softly,
1SES as she sat in a dainty ribbon
trimmed rocker, in the sweetest little sane
tum of boudOir and lazily brushed her
brown hair.
They had been to "swell affair" the
night before, and were now discussing the
relative merits of their admirers.
Handsome and stylish. did you say?"
echoed her matter-of-fact sister Mildred, as
she paused in her work, and posing the
feather buster in mid-air, delivered the fol-
LOVING Opinjon:
"Oh; yes. there is no question of Howard
Glen being an elegant and exquisite pers on
"a perfect specimen of human bric-a-brac to
my mind. | would call him abOminably
hand>ome-a sort OF sardonic style. Ow,"
she exclaimed suddenly, as if the subject
was to disagreeabie TO linger over, hate
him with great joy" At this juncture the
buster came down like an angry note of en-
phasis.
"Ob, you have such old-fashioned tastes,
Milly," laughed her sister; your idea of a
nice fellow is a proSy old poke like John
Clements
Yes" replied Milly, "Mr. Clements is
quiet to be sure, but natural and honest, and
has the outward seeming which gives the
world assurance of a man." Here Miss
Milly emphasized her somewhat oratorcal
speech by decided elevation Of her pointed
little chin, and a parting flourish of the
feather buster, which gyrations betrayed
anything but desire to dust, and left Miss
Edith to her pleasant reflections.
''E1e might as well be nodded of mud"
unused that young lady, as she turned Der
| thoughts to Mr.. Clements. for all the style
or manner he possesses. But there are
some good points about him, dear old slow
poke"
The Mr.. Clements in question had no pre-
tensions Whatever to good looks, and was
noticeable only for manly figure, pair of
quiet brown eyes, and a lazy Indifference TO
all things fashionable. His persistent but
apparently hopeless love for the fashionable
Miss Arlington was the theme of many busy
tongues. The most formidable rivalry did
not seem to daunt him, nor did he urge his
suit with the ardor which opposition gener-
ally inspires, but waited patiently for some
tide of fortune to turn III his favor. He GER
iaiGly suffered by contrast with the stylish
Howard Glen, who was clerk in the same
bank where Mr.. Clements was chief book
keeper, and it WAS The same supercilious
young exquisite who bestowed upon his Su-
perior the elegant appel!ation of ''cled."
Miss ArlIngton'S brother, youth of IS
years, had lately been appointed cashier in
the same bank through the kindness of Mr..
Clements, with whom lie was great favor
tie. The youth was delighted upon making
the acquaintance of Mr.. Glen, who pleased
him still further by promise to visit his
house when he could snatch moment from
the gay whirl Of his existence.
Harry Arlington looked UP to him with a
degree of admiration which was little short
of reverence
Mr.. Glen's attire was marvel of the
tallors art, and, contrary to the general idea
that clothes ornament their owners Mr..
Glen'S vesture seemed to borrow its style
from him. That lie lent some of the light to
the luSter of his diamonds, Harry had a
vague sort of belief.
Mr.. Glen was not satisfied with being an
essential spot in the mosaic of society, but
yearned to occupy a shining center. His de-
voices were many, and to dissent from his
dlctum in matters pertaining to the upper
ten" would be $. ciatical suicide, if one might
coin word His satellites believed In him
blindly, and gladly circled with him in the
orbit which he illumined with his rays.
Filth Arlington at 10 was deeply imbued
| with the usual schoolgirl sentiments, which,
moreover, were strengthened by the gener-
Gus nutriment imbbed from the modern
novel
Yes, Mildred" she was accustomed to
say, ITO keep ones place in the nineteenth
century march, glitter and gloss as you
call them, are Indispensable adjuncts."
And, if one dared TO fall out of line and
leave her glttering chariot for one lined
with homespun, she would be tabooed for
ever and aye, but prefer such homespun
happiness, # you please"
Such were sensible Miss Milly's senti-
ments.
No fairy Princess ever awakened from en-
chantel dream By charming Prince was
happier than Edith when Howard Glen
placed an engagement ring upon her finger.
Her Imagination could conjure up no more
beautiful ideal than this real live Prince of
hers Rut there was still an acid drOn in
the cup of her happiness which was the
persistent presence Of the ubiquitous Mr..
Clements. He would not down." so to
speak. Even now. when her engagement
at an end, he still lowered near
her at ball, party and picnic; quiet
awkward and un0btrusive-but always in
| sight. 1t annoyed her that when her horse
| fell one day and might have killed her, it
WAS be AMI not Howard Glen who had
saved her, and still, another dav. when her
fan dropped from the boat, Mr.. Glen did not
| seem disposed to wet his ieweled fingers for
| its recovery, that john Clements should go
| and drench himself in the lake for IT'S recov-
face and deprecatiag manner, which seemed
| to say: " I'm an Old busybody aud ought
to be ashamed Of myself"
In truth John Clements was huge blot
| upon her pleasures, but he would not keep
| away.
Through the dmsy film of fashion and
| conventional folly which yelled the girls
better self, lie could easily discern noble
| heart which he knew would one day throw
| off the weeds Which were now hiding it.
There was music and dancing and pleasant
doinss at the home CT the Arlingtons on this
| particular evening. An unaccUuntable sad
| ness had seemed to have taken possession
| OF Mildred, despite all.
Howard Glen had disappeared early and
unnoticed. She lonked around for Harry.
buf pDul1 not find him and bpVau IN vynntpr
in sleepy fashion, why he and many others
went away without saying good-by. She
went to bed, but could not sleep, and the
| gray dawn fou I'd her sitting by the window
| with heavy feeling OF some indeiinable
| trouble.
John Clements came 10 the house early
next morning.
Come with me for a walk, Milly," he
| said hurriedly. His hands were hot as he
crushed hers in nervous haste and there was
| an unusual light in his eyes which she had
never before seen there. Putting her hat
| aud shawl on quickly, she put her arm
through his without word and went out.
| There was woeful news to be told and he
was trying to sum up courage to tell it:
! They walked for some time in silence and
then he stopped abruptly, saying: Now,
| Mildred, you must now be the brave and
sensible little girl that had always thought
YOU"
AIily looked up at him inauiringly. with
bloodless lips which tried to form them
selves into the word HarryP'
Yes" replied he, IS lie is hurt. in danger,
and Edith-she must not be told yet-just
yet"
By this time they were at the door OF How
ard Glen's lodgings. Mildred clasped her
hands together in mute prayer as she fol-
lowed John Clements through the hallway
to room where Harry, her brother, was
stretched, pale and still, upon a lounge.
There was no wound or sign of blood to
show why the beautiful form was lying
| there helpless-nO disagreement Of the
handsome face except a thick moisture upon
| the white forehead.
''Oh, what is this, and who has done to"
This one uncontrollable cutlery from Mil
| dred, and John Clements arm prevented
| her from falling to the floor. His tender
| but commanding voice recalled her quickly
| to her stronger self.
The answer to her pitiful cry could al
most be read in the loving eyes that were
looking almost their last glance into those
| of Howard Glen, who was seated beside
him, and the feeble hands clasped his with
| all their remaining strength He turned IN