The San Francisco call., 1896-04-26
A HOUSE OF CARDS.

Alice S. Wolf of this City is the author
of a novel, "a House of Cards." to which
brief reference was recently made in these
columns. The story concerns San Fran
cisco society life. Loys Yerrington is the
eldest of three daughters, reared on a
ranch. The country life becomes distaste-
ful to her, and her friend, Gregory Ken
dali, secures a position for her as teacher
in a seminary in the City. Loys is not a
favorite with her father for some unex-
planned reason, and she leaves the ranch
in spite of his protests. At the seminary
the girl comes in contact with the daugh-
ters of the wealthiest San Franciscans.
She longs to travel and see the world. She
is very am bilious, and writes book which
is not success. Overhearing the discus
sion of the merits of fortune-teiler she
advises some girl friends against consult
ing medium, but, urged by some unseen
power, Logs herself goes to the medium
and learns, among other things, that her
father has been dead twenty years. She
hears her fathers name pronounced-it is
different from the name of the man she
has always looked up to as a father. The
latter, too, she learns, had once for given a
grlevous wrong. A trip to Europe s fore
told. A few evenings afterward Kendall
informs her of his intention to go to
Europe on business. Hehad begged her to
become his wife before; but now she con-
sented, saying the temptation of the trip
was more responsible than the love she
bore him. Kendall was willing, however,
to win her love after marriage. In Europe
Mrs. Kendall meets Penelope Browning,
one of her husbands friends, and the
acquaintance proves productive of many
friends-Riker Van Arsdale and Bishop
Yorke. Gradually Loys and Yorke fall in
love with each other, but neither confesses
to the other that secret love. Then child
is born to Mr.. and Mrs. Kendall, only to
be taken away. Logs heart was nearly
broken, but Gregory seemed satisfied when
the child's eyes were forever closed
Months afterward Kendall is called to the
death bed OF his mother who for fifteen years
has been confined in an insane asylum.
This fact had been known, it seems, to
every one but Logs. The latter is shocked
at the news. Her health begins to fail,
and she finds interest in nothing but
Yorkes society. Logs own mother comes
to visit her, and the old visit to the clair
eagerly listened and grew deathly pale
when the name of Loys' father was men
toned.
What great deal you have to forgive
your mother" Mrs. Yerrington moaned.
You cannot understand, for you are
happy wife. was happy once for brief
while. have paid for it. On, have paid
for it! You cannot know what have suf-
fered. Loys my child do not say that
you cannot forgive me-"
Mrs. 4errington returns home and on
the same night Loys dies Suddenly OF
heart trouble. The last scene discovers
Mrs. Penelope Van Arsdale and Yorke
kneeling beside her couch Yorke asks
Penelope. "Wili you leave me alone with
her for few moments? In years to come,
shall be glad of her dreamless rest, but
just now" -
A key was fitted in the house door and
then footsteps echoed through the hall.
Kendall had reached home TChicago:
Stone & Kimball, publishers. For sale bv
Doxey; price 81 25.