The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-07


lege of Natural History, University of Cali
fornia.
Door, R. Window, open, L. Mirror back of
divan, L. L., and table in center. Geraldine
Clinton standing at door, R., talking to some
one out of sight, and evidently retreating, as
each sentence is louder than the preceding
one.
GeraIdir,e-Have no fear for me. am
certain to be amused. Oh, no. I'll not
find it in the least dull. 1t will be pleas
ure to sit here and wait for the next train.
Yes; I've the book you selected for me.
Good-by.
Advances into room, looks about her
and rushes back to the door.
G.-By the way, Jack. if you are not at
the station shall 60 back without you.
Don't hurry, if you are detained. shall
understand.
[Closes door, Advances to table and
places parasol, book and paper on it.
G.-There. Now will rest and get my
breath. 1t was impossible even to breathe
freely, looking at those horrid toads and
picked snakes. I wonder if I shall eUer
grow used to them. AT all events l shall
neuer let Jack know what horror l have
of them. Dear Jack. How he has gone in
for this tiresome biological fad of his.
Why, he used to be the grandest halfback
on the coast until he took to dissecting
frogs and impaling bugs. But now, do
believe he prefers toad to touchdown,
and he has actually not been near game
this year. And to think of his dragging
ME over here to look at dreadful crawling
things in bottles. Ugh, am glad to get
out of those ill-smelling rooms.
TTwirls ring on her finger.
wonder what the girls will sayl
Examines ring critically.
am glad tits not great, staring soil
taire. This opal is so lovely. OF course |
am far too sensible to be superstitious
about it. Besides, the mere fact that Jack
gave it to me would make the omen good.
Kisses ring. Looks about her.
So this is the "co-eds' den." Rather
cherries place, 1 think. Still, it might
seem very jolly when the girls get in here
for good time. DO goods ever have good
times? How, crumbs? 1 presume the
goods eat their luncheons here. | wonder
they can, in the same building with those
korrid biological specimens. Such grisly
horrors
l wonder Jack should have cared for
me. / should have thought he would have
been more attracted by coed who under
stood ologies and things, and wasn't afraid
of bugs
[Twirls ring again and contemplates it
thoughtfully.l
Crosses to divan and picks up object
Oh, a mortar board capt. What odd
looking things they are! Turns it about
on her thumb and finger.
l wonder how l would look in it2
Listens | don't think there would be
any harm. I'll put it on. Hastily doffs
hat and veil, and going to mirror adjusts
college cap, turning from side to side to
get the effect.
How perfectly stunning! IT'S really
quite becoming. The red tassel is such
cute idea. If it were mine I'd put stitch
in it just there, to hold it steady. Do you
know, I've notion to become coed, and
come here and study and wear one of these
caps How delighted Jack would be to
have me here. We could cross on the boat
together every afternoon.
And then the intellectual com partnership
would be so delightful. l do want TO be a
companion to Jack. Perhaps-or not is
no use talking. l am sure l could never
come to care for bugs and toadsi But how
distinguished it would be to be able 10 say
"When my husband and 1 were at the
university together" And then this cap
is so delightfully."- becoming. Listens.
Some one is coming! Let me get my
hat on
[Tosses cap on divan. Resumes herown
hat and veil.
| must have been mistaken. Oh, dearl
What is that? Starts violently Pshaw,
ONLY a cricket How silly | am. I'm not
a bit timid, but those horrid bottled speci-
mems have made me nervous Oh 1
would not have gone with Jack to see those
slugs for onythingi / suppose he must be
dreadfully clever, or ali these scientific
people would not want him to give these
special lectures here. Dear Jack, and to
think that only two years ago he was
student in this very place.
What's that? starts nervousIy.l Non
sensel I'm not afraid! l don't mind wait
ing here one bit.
Here is the Argonaut. 1 will Just read
over again the announcement of our en-
gagement.
Settles herself in chair and reads "The
engagement is announced of Miss Geral-
dine Clinton, daughter of the late Judge
Clinton of this city, and Mr.. John Leffen
Pelham, the distinguished young scien-
tist"
How surprised all the girls will be.
Only, why need that stupid editor have
written it distinguished young scientist
as though Jack were in knickerbockersl
Reads again:] 1.-THE date of the mar
riage is not yet given but when Mr.. Pei
ham returns to his explorations in Central
America it is rumored that his bride will
accompany him."
Drops paper and leans back.
Doesn't it sound lovely! 70 think that
wise fellow like Jack should have fallen
in love with me. Rises. Mamma says
he is far too young to have the care of
wife, but l am sure that we can convince
her she is mistaken. Jack is so clever.
[Students outside singing on the campus:
HE measured the reptiles yard by yard,
The serpent and the liz-i-ard.
Cob, dear That reminds me of those
horrid things in the other rooms. 1t must
be nearly time for me to go to the train
Looks at watch.
Stopped That jeweler is perfect fraud.
He said he regulated it.
Oh, l see. / forgot to wind it last night,
and it has run down. Now, I've no idea
how long I have been waiting. think l
had better go down to the station and wait
there for Jack.
Why did not I think to tell him to come
here for me? l shall have to pass the open
doors of those rooms where the natural
history specimens are. How silly was to
stay here. Ugh! l won't wait in this
building another instant. 1t is perfectly
awful
[Gatt ers up book, paper and parasol and
crosses to door. Opens it and starts back
in surprise.
Whyl How very curiousl The doors