The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-12
MAY And DECEMBER

that man = MISS DTooks was sllttBs Oh d
low stool, playing with the collar Ut her pet
dog Mrs. Forrest, in her sealskin and rich
dress, stood looking down upon her.
Yes l de-" said the girl. And why
should ! no., pray p
HIN! He is seventy, and you are seven
teen"
HIM" mimicked Ella. 81 shall grow
older every day; and if he Is satisfied no one
else need complain"
"But-are you satished?"
Yes" defantly.
"And how is It with Harold Cameron"
81 am not engaged to him and never was"
but people say he is fond Ct you"
people say a great deal that they are
not authorized to say" Ella retorted. as she
pulled Gyp's long ears. "They don't mea-
ton by chance that Mr.. Cameron is in
search Of a rich wife, | suppose"
"OHOi that is It'll" thought Mrs. Forrest.
"And Ella hasn't hundred dollars Of her
own. Vel. l can only hope you will be
happy" she said aloud.
THANK you. l am sure to be; shall / not
be rich p Tet0rted Ella, bitterly.
THAT girl Is selling herself for Selden
MoTan's gold" thought Mrs. Forrest. as
she went away. Seventy and seventeen
wish there was law against such mar
rIages"
So beautiful Ella Banks married the
white-haired old banker, and all their
friends f1ocked to the wedding. And Ella,
10 her surprise, was happy IN Quiet way.
Mr. Moran, a man Of rare culture and re-
fnement, was young at heart as good men
always are, and delighted TO shower upon
his wife ali that fancy could suggest or
wealth provide. And the beautiful Mrs.
Moran soon found herself the fashion.
Among the most frequent Of her many
visitors was Harold Cameron. His manner
toward Mrs. Moran was precisely what II
bad been to the lovely Ella Banks-insinu-
ating and devoted, almost confidential. But
toward him Ella had changed, and be knew
enough OF human nature TO perceive that
she resolutely shut her eyes to the might
have been.
81 have forty years the advantage OF old
Moran; can afford to wait" he unused as
he str0ked his silky beard.
When Selden Moran fell i'll and lay at
deaths door for weeks, Harold Cameron
actually imagined that providence was play
ing into his hands.
Eat his age he can't possibly live" he
said 10 himself
But Ella received him IN her parlor one
morning, and smillngly told the young man
that her husband was better. His face
heightened.
''Better?" he repeated.
ION. much BETTER said Ella. gladly.
Little bypocrlte," he thought.
The next day when he came TO inquire for
Mr.. Moran he mentioned a case of suicide
that was the talk Of the town.
But after all 1t was a bungle," he re-
marked III man wants to label himself
a suicide he has only to buy bottle of
laudanum, swallow half Of 1t and leave the
other half of it on the table beside him.
There are other pOisons which act more
stealthily."
What are they?" she asked, drawn on
by morbid curiosity, for somehow she felt
that Cameron was talking at her.
Well l hardly know; prussic acid, for
instance. The least particle dropped into
food or medicine causes instant death. II
wanted to poison ANYBODY and leave no
traces behind, prussic acid should be my
motive power. The verdict would be sud
den DEATH bnt from what cause no one
cOnld ever discover"
Ella shnddered.
DO not speak OF It," she said "It-it
isn't pleasant topic"
You are OverSensitive," returned Cam
eIon. with laugh. Poisoning is begin
ming 10 rank among the fine arts now"
And at this point the conversation changed.
When Cameron had taken his leave Ella
discovered his periumed handkerchief lying
on table. She took it up. and directly be-
meath lay tiny glass visl, filed with some
dark liquor. She opened this with shiver :;
penetrating odor Of bitter almonds filed
the room.
III IS prusSlc acldF she muttered. "Oh,
heaven! what does this man think / am p"
II one faint trace Of the old fancy for
Harold Cameron remained in Ella Moran's
heart, that was its death blow.
He called the next day, fascinating as
ever She came down as usual to receive
him.
How Is Mr.. Moran?" be asked.
"Better-1 thark God that he il betterP'
said Ella passi0Bately. "llere, Mr.. Cam
eron, is something thatyou left yesterday
through mistake, presume"
She held out the handkerchief and vial.
Cameron took them with a sidelong glance
al her face.
landed"
Your intentions are matter of indifer-
ehce to me" Ella broke in. Il wish to de-
vote my whole time here after to the care of
my honored husband and shall have no
time Tor visitors. You need not trouble
yourself to call again."
Harold Cameron left her presence feeling
like whipped cur.
"Hal was a little premature-that was
ALL" he told himself.
Ella ran TO her husbands bedside. and.
sobbing, buried her face in the pillows.
You are tired, DEAR" said tile sick man.
as be took her hand in his.
mo. not tired, Selden but want to STAY