The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-18

Beside that my poor Georges eighteen hun
bred hides its diminished head. He is
handSOmer than ever, too-the same merry
brown eyes and chestnut hair; but in adj
ditiOn, an appearance, an air so altoge,he
distingue that our neghbols all 90 to their
windows to gaze after him. Well, do you
know. the moment he appeared l set my
heart on him for our dear old friend Ade-
laide, who shall not waste her swe etnesS on
the desert air if / can help it. You know
always had a fancy for matchmaking,
though. to confess the truth, | have never
yet scored q success in that line; my two
predestned affinities always fly off at a
tangent. just as / filter myself matters are
progressing beautifully.
But Adelaide and Ned have been CORE
spouding year or two; he speaks of her
with great respect-as how could he other
wise. of course ?-and l have fondly hoped
that his mission to the East may have more
relations to the affairs Of the heart han to
mining stocks, as he pretends.
Well. soon after his arrival three weeks
ago Ned and 1 we're. sitting in the dining
room alone; the children had started for
school, and George had kissed me and gone
downtown, after an hours talk about
ranch, s. burros, gulches and canyons. Now
that | was alone with our visitor, the con-
vtrsation took confidential turn, bordering
on the sentimental, and in pursuance of the
idea uppermost in my mind, told him |
thought it mysterious, prOvidental, that he
had not fallen victim TO some bonanza
princess, or some bewitching senorita with
no dowry but her beauty.
And by the way" l went on, what was
ever the trouble between you and the Cap
tain's daughter, Ned?"
You remember, Of course, Julia, how much
we heard at the time about that affair-how
during the war l used TO read to you even
during study hours, the letters | had re-
crived from brother Jim. stationed at Fort
ress Monroe, giving tie details, in Jim'S
rather satirical style, of the serious filtration
10 progress between Lieutenant Ned, of
Company c, and Captain Darrington's
pretty daughter, OF the regulars? And
afierward, how some way a shadow came
between them-nobudy could tell how, only
that Ned was hasIy, and had exaggerated
ideas OF mans rrerI gatiyes, perhaps, and
Miss Darlington was proud and shy. So 1t
was forgotten.
And now this same Lieutenant, after hair
breadth escapes from shot and shell and
scalping ApacheS, sat there in an easy-chair
by my Baltimore heater and actually turned
pale because l mentioned the Captains
daughter.
He had nothing to communicate. how
ever; babe me- consider we were always
great fools at q, and likely at that time 10
get caught IN trap, or, on the other hand,
to throw our chances of happiness away
just as it CHANGED TO be; he became silent,
and had not the heart TO rally him as he
sat there watching the floating smoke Of his
cigar with iar-otf look in his eyes-know-
ing as did that lie had gone back fifteen
years and that he was walking the moon
light beach with pretty LOttie Darlington,
while the band Of the regiment played in
the distance.
From the sublime to the ridiculous is
always my fate, dear Julia. Barney. the
factotum Of the neighboThOod tapped at
the window. and as raised the sash said :
A lolne morning, mum there's a red flag
out at No. 81, and 1 thought I'd be after
coming to tell ye. IT'S foine house and a
foine Teddy, more's the pity"
You see Barney knows my weakness,
and he had seen me a few days before
an animated bidder at an auction in the
neighborhOOd.
''Thank you, Barney; l think I'll be on
hand" l replied, closing the window.
"a folne Teddy" TO be sure; | had often
met her-a falr-faced woman, plainly and
taStefully dressed, walking with two charm
ing children. Her house seemed the abode
OF peace and comfort, so far as the passer-by
eOuld Judge, and what could have compelled
the Ureakius-up OF so fine an establishment?
At all events | would bot stop TO speculate
it was possible here was an opportunity
to secure a handsome sideboard at bargain.
As | wished to be on hand in time to look
through the house before the sale began,
asked Ned to have the goodness to excuse
me for an hour or so.
ION, l will 60 with you, Mrs. Toodles,"
he said, quite gayly, and ran upstairs for
his hat and cane.
So off We went TO No. 81, where the
flaming Nag announced the Dissertation of
household goods. We were admitted By the
man in charge of the sale; and such a
charming abode! Not downright curiosity
shop, the elect OF decorative art run mad,
but such taste and ingenuity everywhere
visible. People with shrewd, hard faces,
clearinghouse keepers, secondhand
men," eying the enzFavings and pretty
water-cOlors on the parlor wall, running
their greasy fingers over the keys of the
piano, turning chairs t0psy-turvey, and shak-
ing tables to see how firm on their legs they
might be. Sitting by window discovered
old Mrs. Wiggan, with whom had little
acquaintance.
"Such a charming housep' said 1, ais it
not pity to break up this charming nest?
Do you know the famiy?"
Poor Mrs. Grahaml She lived here
with her children so comfortably and hap
ply, two OF three lodgers on her upper
floor, until few months ago she lost every
thing by the failure of a clearinghouse.
She had no relatives in the city; has struggled
on, tried to get boarders, but the location is
too remote; she sees no way but to give 1t
mp, place her children with friends in the
country, and to try to earn livelihood by
painting"
My eyes were dim, and l would gladly at
That moment have relinQuished the best
bargain in sideboards. Ned, too, looked
swiully sorry, as he gazed medtatively out
oil the window where the frightened little
girl and boy we're loading dirt into tiny
cart with miniature shovel From the floor
above came the sharp ring OF the auctionser' 5
voice.
How much-how much? Six dollars
did you say seven? Six dollars seven dol liars
gone at sevenP'
The auctoneer descended with his follow
ers into the front chamber. Before | knew
1t Ned was there, and in his impetuous way
was bidding in a fashion to astonish the
.second-hand men,. WAS there insanity
In his famiy?" | asked myself / made a
brave stand for the sideboard, but it was of
no avail. Every article from the second
hoor down was purchased that morning by
the distinguished stranger
All had gone but Ned, myself and the auc-
tioneer. The latter knocked at the door Of
the back parlor. Come in," said a voice.
and the burly man swung the doors aside.
The mother was making an effort to rise,
but the little boy was eIinging so closely
about her neck that she could not readily
free herself. AS she arose and came for
ward we saw the traces of tears, the pale
ness Of her face, the RIGHTEOUSNESS of her
whole form.
From Ned, who was standing just behind
me, suddenly heard the words
My God! is it possible?"
Turning, | saw him with face most in
descrlbable in expression. OF course there
was no doubt about his being out OF his
mlnd-toO much auction had made him mad
The auctioneer, af er opening the doors, had
been called suddenly away, and we three
now stood there-these two gazing at each
other. and | at both.
"EdwinP at last said Mrs. Graham
'Edwin!" with voice ami smile so sweet
and sad that l did not wonder at what
followed.
Ned's ashen face suddenly flushed all over.
"Lottel' he cried, stretching his arms
toward her. 'Lottie, my beloved, have j
found you AGAIN." and he clasped her to
his heart.
The Queerest termination to an auction
have seen many in my capacity of house
wife, but never one like this. Mrs. Graham
was the Captains daughter" and the gen.
erous impulse of the honest Californian had
restored his old sweetheart her home-yes
and the heart of her faithful lover
Mamma" said the little fellow, shyly
tic h,