The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-22
CHAPTER III.

Ohh4 LII LII
months, and Ursula's life went on as
quietly as it had before pleasant Bart
Kingsly had come, with his kindly ways
and winning smile, to disturb its monotony.
Father, said Mrs. Dean one morning
little girl can be in love with Sidney's
friend ?, Ever since he went away her bright
eyes have grown DINNER and her cheeks
paler: SIZE is so anxious to read his letters
to Sid, and seems so disappointed that they
contain no inquiries after her.
"Pshaw, Margaret, you imagine. True.
Ursie is not the merry little maid of other
days, but she is not baby now Why,
mother, she has passed her eighteenth birth
day-'tis time she should grow serious"
and 1t may be that worry unnecessarily
"Ursie grown lovesick!" laughed Sidney:
chats the best yet Why, mother mine.
she'll fall in love and out again dozen
times before she marries," and he left the
room to search for his sister in the garden.
He found her in the little vine-coyered
arbor, her cheeks flushed and her dark eye
lashes suspiciously moist well, Sis. how
do you find yourself now; has the headache
gomez" he inquired tenderly. There was
knew and felt for Ursula's trouble. He
blamed himself for throwing her so much
upon Kingsly's society, for he knew that any
gill would be tempted to love his friend.
It's not quite gone. Sid,' sighed Ursie, ut
doesn't ache much, but its so tiresome to
have this dull pain for days and days. One
finds no pleasure in life"
Come and try little sunshine, sister"
and Sid led her out among the fragrant
flowers and tried by every means in his
power to bring back the old glad laughter
to the little trembling lips, add then as he
walked slowly down to the gate, Ursula re-
sumed her seat in the arbor and when Sid
ney turned back again, he saw faint smile
play about her face.
"After NIL, he unused, "Ursie is but girl,
with girls notions of love and romance
doubtless she might fall in love with the
next good looking fellow who comes along.
Heigh-ho! what pickle I've made of my
matchmaking"
Sid? Is anybody Hip" And Sidney, look
ing up. found himself face to face with Bart
Kingsly.
"Bartw he exclaimed, and the two old
friends shook hands cordially. The new
comers face was very pale and his ewes
roamed restlessly about the garden. 'How
are they all at the house, Sid?" he asked
anXiousiy.
''Ob, we are all very well, except, Ursula.
who, think, is going into rapid Decline"
said Siddey, as he looked keenly at his COM
panlon.
Sidney" cried Bart, his face blanchng,
don't tell me that, for Gods sake! After
two months of agony l come TO unbulden
my heait-to tell you that l have loved
Ursie, ever since the first day"
Might. l think you mean"
Don't torment me. Sydney; l came down
to see II there was not the ghost of chance
to win her favor, and you tell mech, heav-
ems. you tell me-"
"Yes," said Sid, 1 tell you she is dying OF
Spare me that. at least" replied Bart,
quietly.
Love for you." whispered Sid in his
car. There, my good fellow, don't eat me
up, and as have particular business to at
tend to now, guess you can try your luck
now. Ursula is in the arbor at the other
end Of the garden" and off he walked, hav-
ing transported his companion to the seventh
heaven.
.Kingsly. in his haste to reach the object of
his thoughts. crossed the grass plots and
bent the costly shrubs as if they had been
weeds. AS he neared the arbor he perceived
Ursula bending lovingly over withered
rose, the same, he recognized, as one he had
given her on the day of his departure. His
his steps on the gravel path caused Ursula
to raise her eyes in his direction.
A hot flush dyed her cheeks and brow,
and, retreating, left them pale as marble.
with hope that he had not seen the flower
she thrust 1t hastily into her pocket, and
then rose, trembling in every limb.
"Ursula!' cried Bart, as he ciasped her
extened hama.
All! lie had never before called her Ur-
sula.
How strange, yet sweet, it sounded COM
ing from his lips. Seeing her agitation the
young man, all his pent-up love bursting
forth. folded her to his breast, murmuring
Ursula, darling, my beautiful love-"
And, Ursula? She remained passiyeIy in
his embrace, too intensely happy to speak,
yet sobbing softly.
My dear little girl. if had but known!
You care for me little, UrsieP" ten
derby.
"oh, so much" she replied sweetly, and
he was happy. MYDE PALMER