The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-07
OUT OF THE QUESTION,


yes, know Just as well the kind Of girl
shall marry as if 1 were engaged to her
uow.'' And lie half closed his eyes and
leaned back in his chair.
"She must he tall and graceful, perfect
hostess, one who is eminenty fitted to sit at
the head of my table and entertain my
guests. She must be bright and accom-
pIished. of ready wit, but not all intellect
deliver me from woman who is all brain
she must be an accomplished linguist and
know about art and muSic-in fact every
thing that makes woman a social success.
"Of course, want her 10 have good dis
position. | shall not have to marry
woman for money, for l have plenty of that
want some one to grace my home. OF
course. woman who has done anything TO-
ward her own support would be out OF the
question: Harry dainuly brushed the
ashes from his cigar and waited for his
friend to speak.
They were both young men Of fashion,
dressed in white tiannei, sitting on the
piazza of a great, fashionable hotel.
" can see the future Mrs. Jackson, MS
friend laughed, Though l can't for the lie
OF me see why you object so TO wOman's
earning her livelihood if she has to. You
know there are too many changes OF for
tune Why, one Of the most charming girls
Pshaw" interrupted Harry. d" l know
to whom you refer, and you think she Is
signing a little for me. Wen, Eleanor Platts
may be a sumner, but the very TACT that she
takes pupils kills her for me"
The Otler young man flushed little, and
his eyes burned with brighter light as be
{" Miss Platts has shown herself a heroine.
In the face OF society she has risen 10 an
emergency. Her fathers failure was an
honorable one, and when he died she re-
fused TO be dependent upon that querulOus,
misery aunt and consequently was cut OF
from her will. By tile way, she is here as
Marion Ellis guest"
There was a little pause. Harry laughed,
and soon the two stTOllei OFF toward Harry
yacht
The young girl lust around the corner of
the house from where they were sitting
clasped her hands tightly together. pressed
her lips, and an angry flush spread over her
face. Then the righteousness of the whole
thing came over her, and she smiled, IN spite
of the hurt that would make itself felt.
That night there was hop ut the hotel,
and Robert Eyclyth was surprised to see MS
friend Harry devoting himself to the very
girl he had SueeIed at that afternoon.
Eleanor was daZZlingly beauufuE that
night She was dressed in pure white, her
cheeks were flushed, her deep brown eyes
shone with happy light, and her bps were
parted in a smile as she circIed around the
room with Harry for partner.
"Ah, she mas always loved him." thought
Robert bitterly. "And Harry loved her, l
believe, before her father failed Poor girl!
How title she knows that he IS trihlnE with
her, the sc0undrel!"
After the waltz Harry and Eleanor prom
eBaded slowly up ami down the hall.
- have not seen you for two years." he
said.
a. No, not since papa died. You have been
abroad. Did you enjoy sight-seeing?" she
Immensely, though Paris suits me best
to live in. You used to like Italy"
Yes, and Italy has served me to good
advantage, l have pupils in singing and
Italian, you know"
Harry WINGED little. She was SO beau
tiful and charming that he had almost for
gotten. Besides if he did amuse himself
row he might be forgiven, for he used to
know her so well. He had fancied himself
quite in love. She had served for all his
ideals, except for her absurdity In being IN
&c dependent If her relatives.
Robert watched them and sighed. he had
long loved Eleanor, bat his fortune was SO
small compared with Harry's, and Eleanor
deserved so much that he had decided to
withdraw from the list of Suitors. Ii she
could win Harry back there was nothing for
him to do but bear IL.
The days went on. she was by far the
most charming and the cleverest girl at the
hotel. No amateur theatricals were sue
eessful without her. nor, IN TACT, as any
thing undertaken unless she would help.
As the season drew to a close Harry was
her constant cavalier. she accepted his de-
yotiuns with a smile and he lad almost come
to the conclusion that it did not matter after
all If he should marry her it would only
be restoring her to her rightful position.
On the last night the guests mad arranged
for al mprOmptu entertainment. Eleanor
was in demand on every hand.
Between a farce and piano solo she stole
out TO The piazza to SIT moment in the cool
night air. Some one stood before her-is
was Harry,
II have come TO tell you. Eleanor, that
cannot let you 90 without asking you to be
my wife-wthout telling you love you.
There was no answer. He took courage
from her silence and sat down beside her.
dearest, you are so beautiful And you
love me, d. you mott"
mo"
He started back In amazement.
'Whv, l thought used to thlnk-you
know we used to be"
Eyes, before my father died, 1 know we
were good friends. That is all. l never
loved you"
"Then you have trifed with me-" he in
teTrupted in an indignant tone.
81 supposed it was out of the question for
You TO marry any girl who had done any
thing for her support. And it is utterly oat
Of the question for me to think of marrying
you," and she left him and went in, for It
was her turn to sing.
Robert had seen Eleanor go out on the
piazza and he saw Harry follow her. He
felt that his fears were realized and, notlc-
ing nothing, sat lost in thought
Then he heard Eleanor singing. How
beautiful was her deep eontraltO voice as it
rose and fell in the Italian love song She
was SO beautiful; so near, yet SO far. from
him.
The song ended. She was called back,
then recalled. How fond every one was of
her Well, he must learn to bear his dis
appointment.
Hark, she was singing again. twas only
'Auld Robin Gray" yet.how she sang it.
. And she was looking az him full in the
face. He could not bear it. He was thank
ful 1t was the last on the programme; while
people were crUWding around her and con-
gratulatlng her, not only on her singing but
perhaps on her engagement, he would steal
out into the darkness.
In q deserted corner Of the piazza he
found Harry sitting alone. In the dark
. Hess he could just see that his face was
buried in his hands. He turned back and
met Eleanor in the hall, alone and radi-
antly beautiful. She slipped her hand in
his arm, saying: DO you mind walking a
moment with me9 1t looks 30 refreshingly
cool in the starlight"
Roberts heart beat violently. Could 1t be
possible she had refused Harry? And how
She dropped down on the rock like tired
child.
1--WE go Tomorrow" she said after a
little pause. Our beautiful summer is
over"
''Are you sorryP" he uurmured, his soul
In his eyes.
She looked up At her faint smile be
caught her in his arms.
"Eleanorl Fleancrl love you sol Can
you-dO you"
For an answer a soft arm stole around bis
peck.
"HOw blind you have beenP" she
whispered.
II thought you loved Harry" he said.
''Oh, no." she replied. THAT is absurdly
out Of the question. THE Globe.
FED HER BABY BURNT WHISKY,
Tho Deed of Depraved Michigan Woman
Likely to Result In Murder.