The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-22

Arab Chief, and had agreed with her
owners, who did business in Liverpool, to
take command Of her and purchase share
to the value CT three thousand pounds.
The influence of his love was very strong
upon ne while he was away. lie had
limited. but gently. that ne thought my aunt
right in Directing to my old love oil
rambling | mean TO the excursions used
to make down the river and 10 other parts,
often sleeping out for night or two at a
time, as you have heard: and during his
absence I went nowhere save 10 my aunts,
or to the houses Of some OF ny particular
friends.
Meanwhile you win not suppose that l
saw nothing Of Mr. Stanford. We lived in
the same house and were, therefore bound
10 meet not indeed in our separate apaIi-
ments, but upon the staircase or in the
passages When Tom had been gone about
a week my stepiather Knocked up0n my
door one morning as | sat al breakfast;
l babe him enter and he sat down at the
table
Il met Mrs. J0hnstOne yesterday" said
he, land she gave me piece OF news.
Allow me TO congratulate YOU and he in-
clined his head.
l bowed slightly in return, keeping ST.
lence.
II am aware that l have DO claim upon
you. Miss tombstone" said he.
None whatever" | cried.
But | am your stepfather, ard as
matter Of courtesy. not 70 say more, you
should, think. have favored me from your
own lips with the news of your engage
ment"
my affairs have nothing to do with you.
Mr.. Stanford"
Miss Marian. am rot here to quarrel,
but to congratulate you" he said. "Our
relations have long been uncomfortable. l
should have quilted this house some time
ago, but for the difficulty / find IN meeting
r,-st d cr,ff, Mtsf,
Of the utmost Importance TO me. not for my
sake only; Il is my duty to make provision
for your mothers child"
"She is your child" cried holly.
II do not need TO be told that, Miss
Marian. 1t is very painful TO me 10 reflect
that your antipa.ly should have no other
basis than your lamented mothers love for
me. Your mother, | hope ana trust, was
dear to you, Miss Marian, and il is most re-
grettable that there is nothing In her men,
DRY to soften your violent prejudice"
II beg you will not speak to me OF my
mother"
He eyed me askant. he had way of
looking at You with his head half-turned.
Il am here primarily to congratulate you."
said he. at is your pleasure 10 be reticeDt,
and | viii therefore not trouble you with
any questions about your Alliance. But one
inquiry you will forgive; it is matter of
business. When, pray. are you to be mar
ried ?"
81 don't know"
you will probably settle in this house
with your husband?'
when he is my husband he shall live
where he pleases. and I'll live with him"
This end OF London is not TO everybody's
taste" he said with an acid smile. 1T has
occurred to me that your husband might
wish TO live in the west Of the town. Ii so
j should be glad TO arrange with him or
with you to take this house off yourh hands,"
nj oil ft,f hof I I'D int ion,
Of parting with the house. II had belonged
to my father, and whatever belonged to my
father held in veneratiOD, and this ] said
with so much bitterness that he rose with
out another word and left the room. [ was
glad to see his back. l cannot tell you how
| hated the man.
Tom returned at about the expiration OF a
fortnight. and now | was one Of the hap
piest of women. We were together day
after day. We visited many old-fashioned
resorts IN the neighborhood OF London, not
one OF which is probably now in existence.
His influence did me a world OF good. Ii
was the most shaping, elevating, | had
almost said ennobliDg, Influence any. girl
could have come under. The power OF his
love over me was godsend to such
character as mine. / have lived so uncon-
trolled life, 1 was by nature so defiant.
quick-tempered and contemptuOus Of the
opinion OF others that in many directions L
dld not really know the right thing to do.
No mother could have more wisely directed
her child than Tom governed me.
"You are rich garden" he would say,
but overTun; the sweets are too crowded,
Marian, and here and there. my love, is
bit Of snake-like habit that needs to be I'M
coiled from the beautiful plant 1t has got
foul Of"
/ we'll remember soon after he returned
from Liverpool that he saw me 10 my
house; it was o'clock In the evening; /
asked him to walk in.
mo. DEAR" said he.
'No. deari Why not. Tomp You are tired
and | am alone. Come in"
sit is because you are alone that / will
not come in"
Il am always alone here" said ]. II live
alone. You know that"
Eyes, know that"
"And am never to see you at my house
because i am aonel"
Dearest | Will fetch you tomorrow at
II, and then we will have talk on the sub
iect Of mems visits to their sweethearts who
live alone" lie pressed my hand and left
me.
Next day he talked to ME as he had
promised. listened with love and interest.
though l secretly thought 1t no more than