The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-19

an opportunity she would certainly tell
him how sorry she was for it all. But
perhaps he had been so deeply wound
ed that he never
The watching eyes fell suddenly on a
tall, broad-shouldered young man who
was making his way determinedIv
through the crowd in the direction of
the false Miss Thorne. Mark had come
back. and was evidently eager to
make friends again! And here shk-
was, on the outside of the window. and
the happiness OF both their lives Law in
the hands of that heartless little fiirt
who, sailing under false colors as She
was, might do or say something thar
would send him away again-this time
! foreverI
! She could look in at them no longer
| Sick at heart she sought the deepest
| shadow and waited there in silence
and solitude until the turning hour
was at hand. Then she stationed her
self by her own window, and presently
a white hand drew aside the curtain
and tired and rather cross little face
| looked out at her.
ooh, you are there, are you?'' The
! voice was a trifle ungracious as the
window swung open. I am glad of it,
for 1 am just tired out dragging about
this clumsy body of yours! NV
head aches and my back aches
and my feet ache, and that
awkward Mr. Tomkins stepped on my
toes and nearly crushed two of them.
wouldn't be bothered taking care of
such things all the time for anything!
Come in, do, and don't let so much
cold air in
Miss TbOrOa Stpnnn6 into
and brightness of the pleasant room.
realizing as she did so that she had
never appreciated how very pleasant
it was until she had been shut out Of
it-just as she had never appreciated
a certain loving heart until it WI,
perhaps, lost to her for all time u
Il told Jane I shouldn't need her, for
knew you would want to talk" went
on the interloper, Juggling at the fas-
Jennings of her gown, ''and it wouldn't
be fair to leave you to take off all these
things when you didn't have the fun of
wearing them. Hand me that wrapper
that I wore in here, please. I wouldn't
trouble you, but it is close on the half
hour. and"
do tell me about your evening" in
terrupted Miss Thorne. You see, I am
responsible for everything that you
anxious.
anything special happen?"
The other Miss Thorne sat down on
an ottoman, and, pulling off her satin
slippers, caressed her liberated feet
affectionately.
Il am thankful that I shall leave all
my aches behind me when 1 leave
ciaP? Well, Mr.. Van AIeyne asked me
to marry him.
"And you"
Refused him, of course. Do I look
like a girl who would jump at her first
offer? Besides, he asked me in his own
house-shockingl bad form, that!
There, now" glancing at herself ap-
provingly, I'm all ready, and it's
twenty-nine minutes past. Thank you
for lending me your things, but I
would rather stay on my side of the
window hereafter"
Again that strange sensation shiv-
cred over Miss Thorne, and then she
saw that she was once more in her
own form, and that the airy semblance
of herself was bidding her good
night"
She hurried across the room and laid
| her hand on the bolt.
"And what did Mark say?" she
asked, forgetting her pride in her an4-
iety to know what had occurred.
Mark? oh, yes; the big fellow He
only had about two minutes alone with
me, but he managed to talk quantity
! of nonsense Said he Just couldn't
stay away and that he had been
cross and unreasonable and all
that"
"And what else?"
''Well he said that he had come for
a decided answer. 1t must be yes orr
mo- right then and there, and sore
ally, you must let me out this instant
or I won't answer for consequences"
Miss ThOrne's trembling fingers drew
the bolt. please tell me which you
said" The words were almost whis-
pered, and the outsider looked back
at her roguishly as she passed out
into the night.
Guess, for I'll never tell" said she,
teasingly. And then, relenting, he'll
tell you himself, though, for he is
coming to-day to wish you, as I now
| do, a merry Christmas
And then Miss Thorne closed the
window.
FLORENCE MATHESON.
~ - n MA