The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-12-15

"ELL me, is there any truth IN TINS
internal story" demanded DR.. John.
DR.. John was always imposing
fellow. His height his strong limbs,
L his superbly set head and keen.
handsome face made him remarkable
figure at any time. To-nieh+ wiz lat
face white with passion, grief and rage,
pitch, with hands clenched as if they
could throttle, he looked less than ever
Ike a man to he triaed with.
Rut Sybil was always an audacious
Teature, She had played with fire from
.ler youth and found Il a delightful pas
time,
She had come down on receipt of DR.,
Johns card, dressed to go TO Mrs. Kirk
patrick's dance, She locked more like
rose than ever. that was what Dr.. John
had always likened her to-a rose-an
American Beauty-his American Beauty
Rose! Her gown was of rose-hued vel
vet, of the exquisite shade found in the
Eastern skies at slndown. or in the heart
# The Queen of flowers. Over.her should
FRS. no whittier than they, was thrown an
errnine cape. She carried an immense
cluster of Beauties and one was careless
~ tucked in the masses Of her red gold
hair.
Dr. John caught his breath sharply as
she came frou-frouing down the long
srawing-room to him. She was so aluring
so desirable so exquisite,, Could 1T be
possible that another had plucked this
Incompatible flower
''I do not know what you mean, Jack,
purred the beauty. IF you will stop
glowering at me, as if you would like to
eat me, and tell me your internal story
may be able to answer you. Other"lse
not.
He knew she was fencing. Another
time he would have thrust and parted,
too, but now he could not His destiny
his life it seemed, were at stake. Me-
chanically he handed her the copy of the
Town Babbler he held crumpled IN MS
savage grasp and with trembling finger
Indicated a certain paragraph.
Svpil hummed the latest catchy comic
opera bit sank into the nearest chair and
osteatatiously smoothed out the crumpled
sheet As q matter of fact she knew per-
Eectly what she was going to read. Not
ten minutes before she had read it in her
chamber. But she was rather nervous
and wanted to gain time.
So. with well affected air Of indiffer-
euce she read slowly aloud: "a marriage
has been arranged between the Duke of
Chichester and Miss Sybil Lawrence, the
beautiful daughter Of Colonel Henry Law
renee 1t will take place some time dYr-
ing Christmas week"
She raised her eyes from the paper and
looked up at the man towering over her.
She was frightened at what she had done.
For an instant she found 1t difficult to
speak Then summoning an air of charm
ing bravado she said nonchalantly, We'll,
Jack?'
els II true-is 1t true?'
YES" she said, and the roses in her
cheek paled trif1e. Eyes, Jack it is
true"
DR.. John reeled back with a groan. But
only for an instant did his sorrow over
power him. He seized SYPHILIS hand and
drew her to her feet, staring at her with
wrathful, greedy eyes.
How dare you?" he demanded How
dare you do this when you know you
)ove me? You know you were to have
been my wife. Are you not afraid 1 shall
kill you for your wickedness, your capri
ciousness?"
"Oh, Jack, don't speak to me like
that" the girl moaned; don't look SO;
you hurt me-"
Forgive me, darling" he murmured
humbly. 1T am beside myself with grief.
I do not know what I am saying or do
ng."
He released her hands.
But what does it all mean? How has
come about? 1 knew Chichester ad-
aired you, but it never occurred to me
hat my American Beauty could be
aught by a tawdry title"
Jack, dear, listen to reason said