The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-04-16
ROBERT BROWNING.
THE LADY ADA.

%ZsREN you refuse me a home here?"
XIX, and Gordon Iverness folded his arms
yAyS and leaned against the door.
"Most assuredly l do" his father. Lord
Iverness, answered as proudly. If you
persist IN bringing that woman here. Con-
slider, Gordon. your father has the first
claim You can pay the woman sum of
money annually and separate from her.
Divorces are common in these days. You
are my only son, and my end is not far of"
Gordon grew pale TO the lips with anger.
Father" he answered passionately, you
forget yourself" THAT woman is my dear
and respected wife. Do you think l would
live separated from Ada one hour?"
=" Then you may 90 your way for all Of
me-" cried the Lord angrily.
Every WELL" and without another word
Gordon left the room.
He went to the door, and spriuging on
his horse rode away "as if" the groom
said "Old Nick himself was in the
saddle" He did not abate his speed until
he stopped at the door of the "Allan
House" There tossing his reinS to a boy,
he strobe in. He went upstairs. and stop
ping at one of the DOORS threw it open and
entered. A young lady was standing be-
fore one of the windows, the sun touching
her golden hair into an even brighter hue.
AS the door opened she turned and came
forward "Oh, Gordon. is it you?" she
said in a glad voice. 1 did not expect you
so soon" Gordon threw his arms around
her and pressed her passionately to him.
Ada, my wife. my love-" he said.
She laid her arm around his neck and
looked up auxiously into his face. "What
has troubled you, Gordon ?" she asked.
Then her breath coming foster through her
parted lips. You have seen your father? ?
What did he say? Oh lie was not I'M
kind?"
"UnkindP and the young man laughed
bitterly. He was brutal He would not
receive ME into my home unless, Ada, my
darling I would consent to live separated
from you" He felt her slight form CULVER
in his arms.
Oh 1 should not have married you," she
sobbed. Il should not have robbed you of
your home and your fathers love. -
Her husband placed his hand over her
mouth. "Hush," he said, sternly. Il will
not have you say such things, Ada" Then
more cheerfully, I'VE shall not be poor,
dearest; there is my estate in the country,
and although 1t will seem mean beside Iver-
ness Court it will be home. You viii like
go thereP
piled. when can we go?" Il will run
down tomorrow and see about 1t, lie said,
land We can 60 as soon as IL can be got
ready"
The next morning Gordon Iverness started
for the shire. promising to be back the next
day.
After he had gone Ada wandered about
the rooms played with some embroidery,
and finally took UP a book. just as she
had begun 10 feel interested in the story a
knock was heard on the door. On answer
ing 1t she saw one Of the hotel servants,
who handed her little note directed TO her
husband. She thanked the man, aud, going
back into her parlor, opened the note. She
grew very pale as she read it. and paced up
and down the floor in d nervous, undecided
way. Finally she sat down at table and
wrote short note, directing it to Gordon
Iyerness." Folding the note she had re-
ceIYed inside Of this, she put 1t in a con-
splcuOus place on the table. Then putting
on her hat and wrap and taking a small
purse from the drawer, she left the room.
II she had looked back she would have seen
that in her haste she had pushed book
forward so that 1t slipped against the note,
which fell into the fire ard burned slowly
with malicious blaze. But she LETT -Mitfl-
out 4 be ( iGFF.sIittit-. SD
The next day. when Gordon entered the
hotel, one of the servants approached and
handed him bunch Of keys, Saving: Mrs.
Iverness left here yesterday afternoon and
told me to give you these keys, sir. when
you returned" Gordon took the keys and
went up to his apartments feeling very
much amazed. Ada gone" he muttered.
Where could she have gone TOP" An,
well, she had probably left word, and he
opened the door and went in. Everything
WAS in its accustomed order; only the little
willow chair by the window was empty.
he searched everywhere, on tables, chairs,
under the books and even felt around on
the floor, but failed to find ANYTHING
Finally wild thought flashed through
Gordon's head and he sank back into q
chair and buried his face in his hands.
Can 1t be, he thought, half aloud, THAI
she imagined she was standing between me
and my father? And what he said about
separation had led her to fancy that she
must leave me. Good heaven, an it be?
Oh, Ada, Adal was wrong TO tell her,
should have known her proud spirit better.
Where has she gone? What will become OF
her?'
The night wore on, and it began to rain.
Gordon did not rest, but spent the night
pacing the floor and torturing himself with
all sorts of feverish fancies. Where was
she now? Perhaps wandering around in
the rain, without a place to lay her dainty
head. The last thought was terrible, and
he tried to Danish it from his mind. AnC
thus slowly the night wore on aud morning
came without bringing any hope.
Everything was done; advertisement,
were put in all the leading papers, The
matter was finally put In the hands Of the
detectives, but all without results. NJ
trace nor clew was found of Ada Iverness
She seemed to have vanished from the face
Of the earth completely, leaving no sign be
hind. Two weeks dragged out their weary
length, but still no news was heard of th(
missing one. Gordon's heart was very bit
ter against his father, as he held him al
the cause Of all his trouble So when ht
threw over all his pursuits and went abroad
be did not 60 TO Iverness Court to bid Lore
Henry good--by.
II was about o'clock in the afternoon
The rain fell steadily from a leaden sky, a.
it had fallen all day. Inside the room was
dark and gloomy. The heavy red curtain.
had been drawn at all the windows excep
one, and there was no light in the room ex
cept that from the fire. Stretched on tn,
high-curtained bed lay man. One nerve
less hand lay outside the coverlet: the eye
were closed, and he scarcely seemed tt
breathe SO greatly changed was he tina