The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-02
ONLY A WOMAN.

ing along toward his hotel when he saw the
figure of a man ahead, stealing along IN the
| darker corners.
The figure was slight and graceful, the
hair short and pre!tiIy curled, the hands and
feet small and dainty.
That's no man." said Jack to himself.
"Here's chance for lark. III speak to
her,"
A few rapid steps brought him beside the
figure. where the faIsity of dainty mustache
was plainly detachable.
"Good evening"" said Jack boldly.
The figure shrunk away.
Don't run" he continued, because that
wouldn't be manly, and when a girl attempts
a masquerade she should perfect herself IN
the part"
"You have penetrated my disguise" said
the girl, and now that you know L am
woman you will, am sure, treat me court
eously."
{" But you will allow me to escort you
home?" pleaded Jack.
"Please, sir let me pass"
SIT is for your own good make the re-
quest" argued Jack. Your disguise IS so
| thin that any one can see through IL. 1ou
viii certainly be followed aud insulted with
| out an escort"
u had supposed that my disguise was
perfect" said the girl, "but since you prove
| that l am staken | will accept your kind
offer Of protection lam stopping at the Star
Hotel"
| through his arm. we will take the back
| street, so as to avoid observation" said he.
The hotel mentioned b. the fair masque-
raider was a respectable, quiet establishment:
| On the way to it neither spoke word, and
upon entering the girl led the way to a small
recepticn-room frcm the ladies' hall. She
dropped gracefully into chair, and Jack
also seated himself in another
You doubtless wonder why am dressed
in this disguise?" said the musical voice.
al do, certainly" assented JACK.
"You have. possibly, prevented me from
getting into serious difficulty, for L toollshly
thought my disguise impenetrable. l am
very gra eful for your kindness and Will,
under pledge of secrecy, explain my mo-
tlves."
81 fear shall bore you, out you will, L am
sure, excuse it. Do you know Harry Green
hail OF the freshman Glass;
"By si2ht-not personally.
THAT is my brother and the only son of
my widowed mother. 10 say that Harry Is
the dearest object on earth TO ME is using
mild words to express my love for him.
Imagine my grief, then, 10 hear that no Is
getting wild and diSsirated. l refused to
believe it, but could not rest until l knew
the truth. l resolved to come here myself
| we live in ChicagO-and see Tor myself
Fearing, however. that Harry would see me,
l disguised myself as you see me now, never
dreaming but my sex was completely hid
den. ! GU have proved that was mistaken,
and have saved me from shame ana eX-
posure, for which cannot sufficiently thank
yoL"
Here the beautiful girl gave her hand in
| token of anSfunesS, and Jacks pulses
bounded at the gentle pressure.
The gratitude is mine" he exclaimed
"for it has given me the pleasure of your
or. at least
rescue him from his tumble, that my I'M
ladyIike costume has not lowered me in
your Estimation.
Jack assured her very warmly to the con-
| trary; and then the conversation turned
| upon the brother, about whom the girl
"What am TO do?' she said. ''My first
plan has sadly failed"
Il will do anything TO aid you," said
Jack, CALAMITY. Il will myself ascertain
the facts regarding your brother. and re-
port to you here tomorrow night. In the
meantime you can Seclude yourself. In
what character are you known in the
hotel p
LAS Julia Greenhall, simply. 1 only
donned my male attire tonight, intending
10 watch for Harry In some OF The haunts
which he is SAID to frequent"
Every well. Expect me tomorrow even
ing. Good night"
''Good night, sir; and many, many thanks
for your kindness"
Again her soft hand pressed his, and her
smile made his heart hutter.
Jack went away, convinced that he had
lust parted with the most beautiful creature
In the whole world.
$50 intelligent and winning" he unused :;
"and so devoted to her scapegrace of
brother What Il love that would be to win !
Al. IN ~
stancy or depth of affection. but here is
certainly convincing case to the contrary"
Jack devoted the next day TO pryiug
into the affairs of Harry Greenhall He
made inquiries of those who knew hiGn,
and by night had acquired all possible
details regarding that young gentleman's
daily walk and conversation"
At an early hour lie repaired to the hotel
and sent up his card to Miss Greenhall.
She was in, OF course, and he shortly stood
before her. If she had captivated him
before, she CENTRALIZED him now. A becom-
Ing toilet enhanced her remarkable beauty
a huudredfOld, and as she rose to her visitor
| and claSped his hand so warmly, and
| looked up into his face so trustfully, his
heart was entirely at her mercy.
Il am so glad to see you," she said,
sweetly, as they sat down near each olner,
81 am so anxious to hear about Harry, and
| it has been so lonesome here all alone by
myself. Have you learned anythng?"
Yes" replied Jack but not anything
| that need alarm You. Your brothers vices
| are not of an alarming kind, being confined
to billiards and occasionally mild sprees.
| was introduced to him yesterday, and
was pleased with his frank aud winning
manner"
THANK you for saying so" exclaimed
Julia. II am so fond and proud of him,
that it is music to my ears to hear you
praise him. But ii grieyes me to hear that
| he is a bit dissipated."
Never fear for him." was Jacks assur-
ance; The has too good sense to let drink
| get the better of him.
The evening passed rapidly, to Jack at
least, and tile clock struck II before he was
| aware of the lateness of the hour
Il fear | have bored you," he said, as he
| rose hastily to go. 'The time has passed
| so pleasantly that had no idea 1t was so
| late"
''Nor l." said Julia.
when do you return ?"
Immediately, for | do not wish Harry to
know that have played the spy upon him,
| even for his own good"
rs there nothing more that can do for
you2"
mo; at least-well, yes" hesitated Julia.
you see, l expected to stay here several
weeks, and so provided myself with enough
money for any contingency. / shall not
need it now, as my stay is so short, and
| dislike 10 carry 1t with me unless obliged
| W uU 81. w OUI SUu bdk6 III anu Seuu IL 10
me at home in draft, or something of that
| kind?"
Taking from her pocket roll of bank
notes she handed them to Jack.
"What is the amount?" he asked.
Seven hundred and eighty dollars" she
replied, writing her address upon card.
| He placed the notes in his already we'll
| filled pocket-book.
My roll looks Insignificant beside yours, 4"
| she said, laughIngly.
That's because yours is In higher notes."
! explained Jack. "My roll really contains
nearly 500 less than yours. When do you
| 20 home?"
by the 10 o'clock train tomorrow. 1
| should die of ennui if cooped up longer in
this room. 1 do SO long for breath Of
| fresh air."
You shall have it if you will. We
| shall have ample time for an early drive in
the morning, and you need not fear that
! your brother will see you, for the hour and
| the direction we may take will both pre-
| clude it."
| The fair one consented, and Jack babe
| her goodnight. Going home he placed her
money carefully in drawer, and went to
bed to dream about her.
AT the appointed hour next morning he
drove I'D to tile hotel, Julia was all ready