The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-12
Why
She Cried

There was a hush in the magnificent
residence of Mrs. GlendelIa Martinson-
nellie on Pacific avenue a few days ago.
The stiffness spread around the neighbor-
hood for blocks, the small boy walked by
with measured step. and his footballs were
as soft as if he was treading on velvet !;
the blue-coated guardian OF the peace
looked sad as he gazed at the mansion,
and even the gripmen on the cable-cars
slowed up so as to make as little noise as
possible when their trains went by.
1t was as a stiffness of death, but there
was no Grape on the door, yet there was
mourner within the walls of the Martin
sonnelle mansion.
Reclining on pile of pillows of the
richest materials that were on divan in
the rear upper chamber, with wide bow
window overlooking the bay and the IA
nous Golden Gate, was Mrs. Martinson-
nellie, her eyes red with weeping, and stay
ing the overcoming flow of tears with q
lace handkerchief.
Suddenly there was faint Jingle of the
doorbell and few moments afterward
Antoinette, the French maid, appeared
with a silver, gilt-edged salver having
upon it two cards. One read LILLIAN
Darlington Frontignac, and the other,
William Jones, artistic decorator"
"Show them both up" was the COM
mand, given in a tone that betokened a
deep sorrow within the frame of the
speaker.
Together, madame?" asked the maid,
as If afraid she had not quite understood.
Eyes, Antoinette, together. l would
have them both here at the same time"
AS the two were ushered in, Mrs. Mar
tinsonnelle made an effort to rise to re-
ceive her friend, but it seemed too much
for her and she excused herself. She
asked Lillian to draw near, ''for," said
she, 81 want your comfort and advice in
this the hour of my Distress" And then,
addressing the decorator, asked him to
draw chair near so he might hear what
she had to say.
Lillian, my dear, sympathetic friend,
know you will feel for me when you know
all, said the reclining lady.
ITO be sure, Glendella. you can rely on
my sympathy and assistance
81 have sent for this artist to place some
artistic designs on these windows for
WHAT exclaimed Lillian Darlington
Frontignac, land shut out this magnifi-
cent marine view?'
Eyes, was the calm reply, "the sight
of water makes my heart ache and recalls
the cruel work of two days ago."
What was it? Tell me all about it, my
dear friend,'' said Lillian, excitedly.
And the decorator sat by, with eyes and
ears wide open, wondering what was to
come next.
MY dear Lillian, you remember my
dear little darling. CharlieP''
you do not mean to tell me that he is
dead?" asked the listener in voice full of
alarm.
There was a responsive nod and move
ment to wipe away fresh flow of tears
"a month ago he was careless, and
while looking out of an upper window
lost his balance and fell to the ground
below. twenty-five feet at least, and when
saw him fall l tainted. For an hour l
did not know anything, but when came
to great was my Joy to find him resting
in my lap. He had fallen on soiled
clothes in the basket that stood
under the window and he was uninjured.
How thankful l was. But the next day /
was thrown into another fright on his ac-
count, because he swallowed fish bone
that stuck in his throat and I thought my
darling would choke to death. They
worked at him for an hour and finally
with some instrument the bone was re.
moved and again he was saved.
"With what care watched him after
that to see that no further harm should
befal him, yet despite all my care the
fates were against me. Two days ago ]
thought would take him to Golden Gate
Park for an outing. 1 dressed him in 8
new dress which / had bought for him the
day before. Ali my poor Charlie" and
there was fresh flow of tears that inter.
rupted the narration until Mrs. Martin.
sonnelle recovered.
eyes, he looked as pretty as picture
and you ought to have seen him as he sal
on the seat of the phaeton by my side
The people admired him and i felt proud
you may rest assured. We were driven
around Stow Lake and at one point / had
the driver stop, so / could admire the lit
tie goslings that were swimming here and
there, for they were so cunning. ALI of a
sudden Charlie jumped from his seat t.
the ground and plunged into the waters O
the lake after the goslings. cried out
Save him. and the driver left his box tc
go to his assistance. Then 1 saw two bow:
in boat row up to him and catch HIM by
the collar and drag him through the
water to the bank of the lake. The sigh;
made me sick at heart, and when had
him brought and placed on the carriag,
seat, saw that he was dead-drowned il
his attempt to erich the goslings.'
The artist took handkerchief from hi
inside pocket and wiped away tear.
| And do you wonder that 1 want tn,
sight of the water shut out2"
THAT was very sad, but at times there il
no avoiding what the fates have destined
SO We must bear up under the cruel blow.
that are dealt u.s.
Mrs. Martinsonnelle then gave her orde
to the artist, who after receiving and &C
cepting suggestion from the visitor re
| tired.
But" said Lillian Darlington Frontig
nac, 'you did not finish.''
mo, that is so. [ sent the BODY to ar
establishment on Market street and it i
to be stuffed. The man there said that b,
never saw a more beautiful specimen o
the Japanese pug. Poor Charlie !''