The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-24

bulls and letters. ut seems impossible that
L could have been so reckless. Why.
must have been crazy"
You certainly have had an agreea bic
faculty OF Ignoring such little matters.
But what shall | do?"
DO? You have money, haven't you?"
Come; all gone"
"Phew! You have been going ii, haven't
you, in spite OF precrpt and example.
Oh. well, your precious 'AlYarado' Will
settle everything. l guessw And Frank
laughed.
It wasn't a pleasant laugh. nor did it
sound like Frank; but ! was so troubled
that l scare appreciated il then.
DO you really think SOP" l questioned
eagerly.
Il mean what l say. 1t will settle
everything included. But doubtless
Ruth will pay"
leaped to my fee. in rage. Frank
confronted me for an instant with cold.
sarcastic eyes. then lie shrugged his Shout
ders disdainfnily and left the room.
L sank in a chair trembling and gaSpiDg
What did it all mean? Was l held by
horrible dream? Such words. such looks
from Frank, my friend, nv Pylades, my
Mentor! Could it be tina: he had changed.
that L mad changed, that the future was
void. that the past was sham, and that
nothing was real except the present de1t,
the approaching examination, The lmpend-
ing disgrace?
/ opened my pocket case. | read she
note of warning from Ruth, so long I'M
Needed. Again, L couldn't comprehend II,
put did thoroughly realize that whatever
she said should have been Obeyed with
true lovers fealty.
For hours ! sat pressing my thT0bbing
head within my hands. trying to shut out
the dlSordered visions which flashed be-
fore me. Then came knock at the door.
l opened il, and messenger entered, laid
L. H.. III
withdrew. Did l recognize the wrapper?
Oh. didn't /? A hundred years weighted
me as | glanced at it. The very paper!
The very string which had knOtted with
such excited fingers! Oh, dear. oh dear
Too well | knew what had happened
There was note. which read in flash.
" Regret; evident merit; vOluminOuS;
expense to warrant publications. |
threw "Alvarado" into the corner behind
the lounge, where lis fall scattered the
dust from Jusilnian. Then | moaned. The
room faded away. Again l felt the cling
ing air OF the island home. Again | saw
the harbor, the rolling bar, the rock bound
bay. the broad surges of the Atlantic; but.
alas. sOmber and melancholy were their
sWeepS-a requiem, not welcome, for |
was alone. Where, oh, where was Ruth?
There were heavy steps on the stairs.
The door opened. and my principal creditor
entered. accompanied by marshal. Il
But you can't arrest for debt" / SIAM
mered
How about fraud and false representa-
ton and preiense? This man claims that
you have deceived him into believing you
young millionaire when You haven't
cent"
Il never said such a word"
No, but your roommate did, many
time" interrupted my creditor. "Oh, it
was cunning catch between you. But
you're vastly mistaken if you think you
can do me without smarting for il"
Come along" said the officer.
At this juncture Frank strOled in whist
ling. In an instant ali recent doubts had
fled; | only remembered our old intimacy.
ION, Frank!" l cried. Help met
He looked at the officer and winked
amnsedly.
he turned toward me. "Yon will have to
excuse me-" heIsaid, suavely, "if decline
to walk the floor instead of our confiding
friend here. Besides, have an urgent en-
gagement. Pm of to the island home to
see Ruth"
Then, while blood roared within my
ears and cOuded my eyes, a wonderful
little form elided TO my side and threw her
arms about me. and Ituth's voice eX-
OH SO blithely:
That won't be necessary, Mr.. Dunbar.
You can find IRE here for the future with
my husband"
Then she went to the men and whispered
a few words, and they sneaked away
Il told you she would pay, you cur"
sneered Frank
Hush. DEAR" she interpOsed. "Why
his on our wedding day"
Than. at length. / comprehended the
note of warning. for as Frank departed
from my sight and from my life bis glance.
as IT rested on Ruth. changed from one If
fierce mallgnity 10 one OF unutterable long
ing and despair.
What mDre shall [ say? The sequel is
the old unreal ending. but for us most
real: They were ever after happy"
We were married that day, for Ruth
scarcely dared trust me rom her sight. In
a few years the little cottage in the quiet
university town became an actuality.
was never a dread" nor a tower Of
strength" l am sure, but / honestly
earned our daily bread.
And more, during one summer vacation
picked up ''Alvarsdo" and [ slashed it
well, remorsely hewing away all that lux
uriaDce which Is a true poets attribute,
and l sent it, much shrunBen TO pub
Usher.
One evening as l sat on the veranda
Ruth brought me letter. 1t con tanned a
bewildering offer for the poem
MY DEAR" said |, as / showed it tn her,
perhaps we may yet see the sunlight gild-
ing the minarets of that temple"
"1on see,'" she exclaimed. "all things
come TO you"
Because in you l have everything"
replied.-New York Times.