The morning call., 1891-11-27
WITHOUT REFERENCE.
BY FRANK II. sTANFFER.

Mrs. Grayson.
Miss Fannie Cameron, the applicant, was
Ayoung girl with an intelligent face and
wistful brown eyes. She was neatly
dressed, and carried an air of refinement
about her.
81 have no recommendations. she quietly
rejOined.
"Ah. indeedY' exclaimed Mrs. Grayson.
with an aristocvauc toss of her head.
Then I cannot engage you"
"I-neyer-lived out before" replied Miss
Cameron, for the first time embarrassed.
ION, l understand" Mrs. GraysOn said.
her brows unbending; owing to reduced
circumstances"
al came TO you from choice, and not from
from absolute necessity" interrupted the
young girl. 4 can make myself very use
full TO you. l can iron, sew, cut and fit,
aud teach the children, should you wish
me to-"
commented Mrs Grayson, with a faint
smile. " Possibly you can give me refer
eDce."
I-prefer-not to-" replied the applicant,
flush mounting to h-r TEMPLES.
- / cannot engage YOU" Mrs Grayson
said for the second time. nor will any
body else, if they are discreet. Your man
ner is too mysterious"
Il do not blame GU" the girl said. with
falling infection in her voice, as she rose
to leave.
In an alcoye was seated Vance Delisle,
Mrs. GrRysOn's bachelor brother an obser-
want, big hearted fellow. He had heard the
sweet voice and had obtained three or four
glimpses Of the bright face and compact
figure Of the visitor. He Intercepted her at
the gate.
Excuse me-" he said, with polite bow.
"Will you not be so kind as 10 convey
message to my sister. whom you have just
"Sirp' exclaimed Miss Cameron, her
brown eyes flashing into his face. what is
TO prevent you from delivering your own
message?"
The exigency Of the occasion" replied he
with smile. 'If took time TO deliver 1t
myself you would he gone, and that is just
what l want to prevent. A line from me-
and my sister will engage you"
IN what way does it concern you?"
Miss Cameron asked, somewhat haugh-
tily.
ut doesn't" replied he and again a smile
Iurked in his mustache. sit concerns you
and my-siSteE"
He tore a leaf from a pass-book, wrote
something upon it, and then handed it to
Der.
"You may read it if you wish he said.
Il 90 not wish to- she replied, her eyes
unce more upon his handsome face. You
are entirely too obliglng."
Il simply want TO serve you, II you will
let me, b" he quickly said. Il am not inqusl-
tive, nor are you proud"
Speak for yourself and not for me-" she
criSply ret rted. Il am. proud. However,
| viii deliver your note"
She is worth studying" was his mental
comment, as he gsZed after her retTeating
figure. l never saw such an odd blending
OF spirit Occurrences"
Mrs GTaysOn was surprised at the return
Of her visitor. but more so at the nOte
which she brought her.
a. Do you know Mr.. Delisle?" she sked.
Mr.. Delslr," repeated the girl is
that his name? do not know him."
e. Does he know yOu?"
Most certainly not"
" DO you know the contents Of this note?"
! do not, ma am"
He says he will vouch for you"
Oh, exclaimed Miss Cameron, "he is
very kind"
He asks me to try you, MRS. Grayson
said
THAT is what I asked" reminded the
applicant.
to oblige him. Y GU can stay"
On, thank you." cried Miss Cameron.
with pleased gesture.
She filled the position Of chambermaid for
week, at the END OF which time Mrs. GRAY
son not only gave her employment that was
more cOnEenial, but made a companion of
her. so charmed was she with her intelli-
gence, the adapiabilty which she displayed
and the affection which she exhibited
",
not seek to penetrate the mystery with
which she had surrounded herself.
Vance Delisle sought Miss Cameron's So
ciety whenever opportunity offered. They
had tastes in common, and they soon be-
came great friends.
He had determined to study her, and he
found 1t an absorbing occupation.
The increasing friendship of the couple
aroused Mrs. Grayson's apprehensions.
Vance" she said. one day, do not be
attentive to Miss Cameron She m nv ha
an adventures"
he smiled, and tugged at his blonde
mustache.
''DO not forget that l vouched for her"
he replied.
"Oh, if You know all about her. that is an
other thing" Mrs. Grayson slowly replied
81 have no fault to find with her beyond
her secretiveDess."
ing by q proposal of marriage, rather alb
ruptly made, but not lacking in fervor.
''0h, am so sorry" she sad in sincere
trepidation.
"Sorryl" repeated he, bewilderment in
his face.
~ was SO happy here" she stammerei,
"and now must go away"
II don't understand he said. by mar
Tying me you will stay"
''Mr. Delisle," she replied, under a sud-
den impulse"
Excuse me for interrupting you" he
said, but 1t is not sudden impulse. 1t
was premeditated. 1t was carefully de-
bated."
But you know nothing about me-" she
replied in her distress, the color coming and
going in her face.
II vouched for you." he reminded, with
smile. y GU need not go away. Pll cease
TO play the lover. I'll no longer annoy
you"
annoy mew she repeated. "ob. Mr..
You see, Fanny. thought you loved me
the least Bit"
~ do love you, Mr.. Delisle, but"
fusion.
Fanny, you will stay, will you notP".
I'll not promise"
Then FL CO."
mol Mop Miss Cameron quickly cried
That shows me my duty more quickly
than ever. You are frank, while lam keep
ing so much from you. To that extent it is
unfair, and until explained away"
Fanny" interrupted Vance, with some
Impotence, my faith in you isn't easily
measured. viii you remain week."
Yes" she cried. little desperately. "a
.'rIank you" he said. "Pll not break the
armistice."
Vance Delisle was lawyer, and his Of
fee was In New York City.
One morning. while opening his letters.
he met with surprise and revelation.
There dropped from one Of them photo
graph of Fanny Cameron.
1t was superb picture, but the wistful
tenderness oil the dark brown eyes and the
swift changes oil expression were wanting.
What does this mean?" he asked him.
self. Whom is the letter fromP"
BE unfolded it, glanced at the signature,
and then read the contents, bis surprise in
tonsifying.
Helioa!' he exclaimed. Fanny Cam
eroB, Fred Cameron's sisterl Why, this is
revelationl She disappeared from home,
ebP Well, / am thankful that she did,"
The letter was from a classmate Of his, In