The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-25

reposing in Caroine's lap appealed to
Cesar's Imagination most strongly. Caro-
line felt the force of this mute alteration
and thanked Cesar with her eyes. His
study of her face, too, discovered much to
delight and charm him. Her low, broad
brow, and round, honest blue eyes set far
apart, came closely to one of his ideals of
female beauty, while the deicacy of her
nose and nostIils seemed to him set in ad-
mirable opposition to her rather full and
bright red lips.
After an exchange of few friendly words
Caroline sprang up and exclaimed:
why, mother, how thOughtless we are!
No doubt NJ. Cesar has had nothing but
a cup of coffee. You must be hungry
she continued, turning to him with an almost
mouthful with us"
Gear drew long breath. He remem-
hered the chair by the fire, the bread made
ready for his father, the two bottles of his
fathers favorite wine and the feeling OF
something like fear crept over him. He was
upon the point OF saying mo, no" when an
arm was passed softly, gently, caressingly
, through his.
1t was too late Before he had recovered
fun consciousness lie was seated in his
fathers chair and the two women were busy
setting several toothsnme dishes before him.
But lie merely tasted them, and after drink
Ing glass OF red wine rose TO take his de-
parture.
W may L nave jilC plGdSuIt VI Scbln1
you with reference to that business matter,
MademoiSele?" he inquired timidly.
on may suit your own convenience,
NJ. Cesar, replied Caroline" but you will
return to us soon, will you not. The day
after tomorrow"
Yes, said Cesar, with a friendly smile,
as he extended his hand.
And you will take luncheon with us?"
Cesar Hautot felt his heart come almost to
a standstill. 1t was critical moment in
his existence. The happiness of his life
might hang upon his answer. He didn't
know at that moment what he said or did
but upon getting out into the open air he re-
membered that he had taken Caroline's
hand and walked with her to the door and
had promised to come as she had requested.
1t seemed like walking into a tomb as he
crossed the threshold of the old home at
Awhile. He shut himself up in his room
and waited for the day after tomorrow to
come round. He felt that that terrible and
irresistible force called fate had caught him
up in its whirl, and whether it would lift
him to heaven or sink him to the neither re-
gions, he knew not, cared not.
Caroline DOnet seemed even sweeter
gentler and more lovable than at his first
interview with her. Her grief had robbed
her cheeks of their bloom, but the soft, mel
low light of her clear blue eyes Streamed
forth in all It's glory, and it seemed to Cesar
HautOt as If he could look into her very
heart
The little luncheon was greatly enjoyed
by Cesar. and he gave himself up freely to
the fascinating occupation of studying Caro-
lines face, figure, movements. voice, intona-
lions and little ways. When the coffee was
served by Mime. Hautot Caroline cried out
gayly:
't0h, you must smoke, NJ Cesar"
Yes, thanks. | have my pipe; why
that's strange. l forgot it after all. How
stupid of me" but before he had finished
searching for it Caroline had risen, opened
a closet door and taken out a handsomely
carved pipe, together with an embroidered
bag filled with tobacco. Cesar recognized
them al glance and felt the blood flow back
upon his heart, and as he reached out for
the pipe their eyes met and they saw each
others tears. Caroline insisted upon filling
the pipe herself, ana after those eXQuisitely
dainty fingers had completed their task Ce-
sar bent his head and pressed his lips upon
them. But he dared not look up, for he
could feel the blood run tngling to his very
hair.
Scarcely a day went by now without find
ing Cesar Hautot at the little home in Rue
de PEperlan. He was perfectly conscious