The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-29

Hrwson Dorp was left alone for an instant.
A sudden, almost vicious grip upon Pen
Siernsa's humerus made the girl give con-
vulSIve start, and then 4 burst of hot breath
famed her cheek. and she heard her
mother whisper, with a Kissing enough to
make one think That every word began
with an So:
''Mercifu saints, Pensierosal It's Vi
Wyatt. as Sure's you're standing there! J"
and forthwith Mrs. Taggart turned yellow
and Pensierosa turned white, and both
turned toward each other; and there
upon silence thick enough to cut en-
veloped mother and daughter They
were right; ii was Viola Wyatt! She
seemed TO be on wheels. so little motion
was visible in her carriage-wth such an
easy grace did she move along ahead # her
cousins. But nothing of all this did Mrs.
Tagglrt see. Viola's dress. Niola's entire
costume; so simple vet so rich, so novel, so
striking. so like a glove in its exquisite bit,
accentuating every graceful contour, height
enng every delicate Outllne-that was The
wonder of wonders which filled Mrs. Tag
CARTS eyes. oppressed Mrs. Taggart's con-
>ciOuSnesS and laid Il leaden weight on Mrs.
TagSart's spirits
Viola was the real sensation Of the avenue
that Easter morning. Every head turned
and oitentmes groups of homeward bound
wOrShpers half halted to get better look
at that exquisite costume, that revelation
IN the modern woman : attire, winch pre-
served and accPntuated the beauty OF the
figure instead of making it a mere frame to
hang draperies upOn. This triumph OF
jules Boullotte'S art belonged to that now
familiar style of female dress tritely known
a the tailor made. The material was
gray clio OF great ineneSS in texture and
briiiiancy in tone, the only trimming being
a remarkably handsome embroidered deS On
in SoutaChe on the cOTSage, the same motive
being repeated. reversed and enlarged upon
the 'front.' Of the skirt. Silver braid had been
most aTtiStIcally mingled with the silk braid
in working out the design, and at times as
the suns rays fell upon the beautiful figure
of the COR relation they seemed to culver
and simmer with n sort OF mischlevOuS
delight at the punishment that Viola was
infiirting upon the mother and daughter just
behind her.
Poor Dorp. He didn't know what to do
with his eyes, for Hook whichever way he
might forward or back ward, he felt that he
was bound to be unhappy. Something
whispered TO DOrp that Penslerosa was
thinking that lie was deeply impressed by
the dash and beauty Of the figure in front of
him, and he was afraid that if he turned
around she would be certain of it Suddenly
a happy thought flashed upon DOrp. Pos
sibly the fair unknown was married
woman. and that would Kill the romance and
end his suferngS.
Miss PensieTosa. he inquired timidly,
edo you happen to know that lady in gray
Just ahead OF us there?"
Penserosa turned pale and looked ut her
mother with a pitiful expression in her
spaniel-ike face that meant: Thou art so
or | am lost" Mrs Taggart knew what
was expected of her, and it must be con-
feSSrd that at such critical moments Mrs.
Iaggart was very comfortable person to
have about
"Oh, dear no, we never saw the lady be-
fore!' She twittered with a gentle ha, hal
You Western people, dear Mr.. DnIp. are
apt to forget that New \ Ork is very large
city, but judging from the peculiar style OF
dress the lady wears l should say she Is
French woman"
81 don't think so, Mrs. Taggart," replied
the man with one forefather; THAT young
lady walks like a free-born daughter Of this
glorious republic. It's impossible; she can /
be foreigner. She must be an American,
he added, with great stress upon the must.
The impudent thing" whispered Mrs
Taggart to PensierOsa, docs she intend to
keep in front OF US all the way down the
avenue? For heavens sake, PenSieIosa, do
say SOmethin2w
Tie fact was Pensierosa had lost what
little head she had. The living statue in
gray seemed more and more beautiful to her
at every step, and such a strange fascination
did the door cousin exert upon the rich that
PensierOsa felt an almost irresistible incli-
nation to rush forward and put her arm
through Fiola's. Mrs. Taggart made violent
efforts to save the day, but all to 40 purpose.
For the moment Hewson Dorp discovered
that Penserosa was pouting, as he imagined
her silence to indicate. he turned deaf ear
to Mrs. Taggart'S entilading fire of remarks
and gave himself up to silent admiration Of
the gracious figure, which, in a way that
seemed utterly incompTehenSible to DOrp,
always kept just few PAGES in front of
them. Dorp was pushing ahead with his
gaze riyeted upon Viola, deaf to the NUT
tered complaints and blind to the sour looks
of those he justled. when a voice with pro-
nOunced earthly and nasal twang called him
back from his elyslum. 1t was Mrs. Tag
CARTS.
"This is our corner, Mr.. Dorp," il said,
and then added with very manifest sDeer
But perhaps you intend TO rob us OF the
pleasure of having you dine with us, in
order to pursue your phantom in grayF
Hewson Dorp was not n man of much
imagination. Anyway it was evident that
be was in no mood to have fun poked at
him.
"Phantom! Mrs. TaggartP" he repeated
in an almost severe tone of voice, as he
halted and took one last look at Viola as
her tall and graceful figure disappeared in
the gay throng of homeward bound worship
ers. "Phantom? Well, that's the most
substantial phantom that ever crossed my
path. III guarantee it will weigh 40
pounds"
This was dreadfully unkind, for Dorp had
good reason to believe that Pensierosa
scarcely weighed 100 pounds in her heaviest
marching rig.
The lunch did not prove to be a very in
spiriting affair. Under the proddng of her
mothers inyectiyes PeDsierosa rallied bit
and attempted to hold the evasiye Dorp
after TIE meal was over. She trimmed her
guitar, displayed her latest work in the line
OF embroidered book-cOvers, read to him
from Brewing and even suggested that he
should SIGHT cigarette.
But all 10 no purpose. Dorp pleaded an
engagement with his sister and made his
escape, and Mrs. Taggart vert to bed.
1t was the place for her.
To use rank Americanism she was the
sickest woman you ever saw. Her brain