The San Francisco call., 1896-09-13

girl selected a cozy nook near one of the
great big windows, darkened by heavy
green poTtieres, took possession of large
armchair and opened a book She sat
there, not reading, but dreaming. Her
eyelids dropped. She fell asleep. She did
not see the large door open and the entry
of tall man. She did not feel the earnest
gaze turned upon the charming picture
m ade by her slumbering self IN the win
dow nook. She wore a red pink. The
man wore none, and he inwardly de-
plored his forgetfulness.
In truth, Blanche's white suisse gown,
richly trimmed with soft lace, outlined
her girlish form well on the dark back
ground. One OF her small white hands
hung down by her side; the other rested
on her lap where lay the book.
Something startled the young man.
The book lay at his feet. Two big gray
blue eyes interrogated him. Picking up
the book, he stammereo an excuse for
having disturbed the fair dreamer.
'You have not disturbed me,' said the
maiden. In this way a conversation often
begins. 1t began thus between Blanche
and the stranger. The young man was
attractive IN appearance ana captivating
in manners, and the girl silently regretted
the absence of a sign of a red pink. The
room was very warm, and ere long she
was being shown the beauties of the gar
den by the gallant gentleman.
Near bed of pinks, under a wild chest
nut tree, on a rustic bench, Blanche seated
herself, aud the young man now began to
draw in the sand of the walk some letters.
! "a. K" and then "B. D." appeared. The
maiden saw the letters, and then did
most unaccountable thing-gage a cry,
sprang up, and after moment, vanished
into the hotel.
Astonishment was written for a moment
on the young mans face. Then he laughed
and sauntered away.
Flushed and excited Blanche rushed into
| the presence of MeIlan, the nurse. The
| secret she could no longer contain. She
confded all to Nellie. The latter in turn,
studying her duty, whispered the alarm
ing tale to the aunt.
THANK heavenl" calculated Mrs. Doug
las, 1.-The information comes in time. We
may save her yet. Is she determined to
disgrace us2 If this story gets about it
will ruin her prospects forever. Burnette
would scorn the thought of marrying q
maGcap. 1t has been my one aim for
years to keep that girl from folly, and this
is the most miserable plight l could we'll
imagine. Let her see nobody while we
remain in Berlin unless in your presence,
Nellie, or in mine.''
No sooner had Mrs. Mellan rejoined the
girl than bouquet of red pinks was
handed in by messenger. a card at
tached to the flowers mentioned an hour
-ba,, A ba yNIa tn
call.
Mrs. Mellan. as faithful to the Douglas
trust as Roman sentinel to his duty,
was present at the next meeting of the
hero and heroine of the pinks.
"You have visited New York;" queried
Mrs. Mellan, when the subject was travel.
"Just three years ago." Kronis an
swered, 1.-The guest of fellow student,
Burnette."
~ know George Burnette, who was
educated in Berlin" observed Mrs.
Mellan.
The self-same man."
Perhaps you met Mrs. Percy Douglas at
the Burnette homer"
"Assuredly, l did,"
And the result of this exchange of words
was that Kronis soon found himself in
the presence of Mrs. Douglas, who ex-
pressed delight and concluded the inter
view by inviting to tea on the following
evening the Kronis family-father, mother
and son.
Fraught with much enjoyment was that
tea- 1t was over at last, and Blanche
stood near one of the windows cooling her
face.
Take stroll in the garden with AL
fred, my dear" suggested the aunt. "You
will find it far more pleasanC out in the
evening air.
But why follow the couple. They said
ioollsh things; she looked up into his eyes;
he pressed her hand; they kissed.
on should have heard the pretty COM
pllments Mrs. Douglas paid you an hour
ago, said Alfred. "She declared you were
the pink of girls; that you never in all
your life gave her a moments grief, and
that you are as good as you are beautiful"
Once again in the house, Mrs Douglas
came and whispered something to
blanche. 1t was to the effect that George
Burnette had rested his hopes on Blanche's
own decision in accordance with the die
tates Of her heart
The bird found all the happiness inn
aginable simply by flying from one cage
INTO another. OF course, the newer cage
was the brighter one, and its surround
ings were more calculated to inspire
constant happy song.
Said Alfred to Blanche, on the day their
engagement was proclaimed, '.What do
you think of advertising, my angelo"
"Glorous, for some purposes; but well
never meddle with it any more, shall we,
dearest?"
es, yes; but not in the same form, of
course Wen advertise the marriage
next And advertising, anyhow, il
society s most agreeable food.n