The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-27


The girl caught herself listening for little
scraps of her fathers conversations, and
then she rebuked herself for her meanness
and tried to turn an attentive ear toward her
neighbor
But few words heard a little later on
compelled her to listen. Our last ride
very simple words, but at sound of them
1rIX shot an indignant glance at her father,
Of which lie remained happily oblivious.
1t had been her greatest pleasure to ride
with her father. that to which even now,
when most things failed to please. she
looked forward with delight Lately their
rides had not bren so frao-ent Had her
father ridden with Mrs. Tremenheere? A
swift pdng Of jealousy shot through the
girls heart Her father was still some
thing of an idol to her. So much SO that
she could not calmly think of being sup
planted by that yelIOw-haired wOman-she
could not call her lady.
When the ladies had retired after dinner
she received Mrs. Trrmenheere's overtures
ike young queen. ana very much
offended queen to boot. much to the de-
iget Of that siren. Trix's naturalness was
eXquIstely funny to her. She had rather
admire the tall, slender young girl, who had
such a stately manner of carrying her dark
head.
. knew your mother in ludla two years
ago." said Mrs. Tremenheere, who was not
easily abashed.
one" returned Trx, gravely.
-" am so sorry answered the other
That must be so SID for her."
Not always" said Trix, pointedIy, and
then her good breeding rebuked her for
having said So rude thing. However, her
regret evaporated quickly when she saw
how Mrs. Tremenheere pounced upon her
father the instant he made his appearance
That evening was one torture to her. For
the hrst time size realized how very dear her
4.FI. IaV,
p0intment she felt in him now. She sat
still, poor young thing, thinking that she
was successfully hiding all her feelings, and
yet betrayirg her anger, her jealousy and
Indignation with every turn Of her swan
like throat.
She was very silent during the drive
home, ard on her return did an unusual
thing, namely. she went to her mothers
ROOM What mpelled her to do so she knew
not, perhaps an almost unconscious sense
OF a community Of suffering which should
bind them both more osely together
Ii was lale, bu. Beatrice Danvers had not
yet gone to rest She was sitting on low
chair in her loose dressing gown, her eyes
very brilliant and restless. the only things
about her that were so. Perchance she had
in her solitude gone through much the same
s"rt OF evening as her daughter had only
being no longer so young as she was re-
signed to suffering, not indignant at being
made TO feel it.
what Is II, IriX?" she asked
Only good night mother" answered
the girl in muffied voice that BETRAYED the
Dearness of tears.
Her mother looked at her in silence. She
knew what allied the girl Had she not her
self lived through these long evenings, when
the Colonel, radiant and brilliant was at
tracing the admTing giances of all strang-
ers, neglected. OF his own womanknd?
Better the seciusiOn of her invalid existence
But what had he done that two women
should suffer on his account?
Go and sleep, child" she said gently.
Sleep Is a great CONSIDER" There was not
much else TO Offer her. But when Trix had
gone she ragged inwardly against the need
less pain that had dnmed the young eyes
and contracted the sweet young mouth. She
was not JEALOUS of Trix now.
Trix tried hard to act upon her mothers
advice, but sleep was denied her. She rose
the next morning with the Same sense OF
loss that she had gone to rest with Ralph's
image had haunted her persistently ana
she thought that she had sacrificed him for
naught. She tried to console herself with
the belief that he might find happiness with
some other woman, but even that thought
did not materially contribute to her consola-
ton. When Trix arose the morning was
still young. A slvery mist hung over ev-
erything confounding the lines of sky and
sea. The air was crisp and fresh. and there
was feeling that the sun would soon scat
ter the mist, even without the aid of the
wind that was even then arising.
AS Trix opened her window she could not
but think how brightly the sun would shine
over the grassy downs In few hours time
How bithely the wind would sweep across
them; how huoyantly the sea would flow in
ut their feetl A tumbled vision of sky with
clouds flung over it. Of dancing, shimmering
sea, OF grasses with the swift wind running
through them, came before her. And then
the thought of the rapid ride through the
brisk air, the delicious feeling of blood
courslng rapidly through each vein. the
splendid sense of youth and health, we're
tempting her. Therefore it was not only
with view to try the Colonel that she pro-
posed ride to him.
1T would be very NICE" assented the
Colonel.
The girls heart gave great bound. Had
she then wrOnged her father? She thought
be would refuse at once, and here was he
agreeing.
II Will see II we can get horses" contin-
ued the Colonel. Perhaps 1 had betert
write note at once 20 Turnbam."
shall ], father?" asked Trx. She was
so remorseful at having doubted him that