The San Francisco call., 1901-12-15

But his seclusion was by means SO complete as he
II expected He presently aware of a camp meeting
hymn hummed somewhat ostentatiously bv a deem con-
raito voice. which he at recognized as Meindas
and saw that severe virgin proceeding from the kitchen
along the ridge until few PAGES Of the buck
eyes when she stopped, and, hand shading her
eyes apparently began to the distant fields She
was TALL robust girl without certain rustic attrac-
1 tons OF which she seemed fully conscious This latter
weakness gave Mr.. Hamlin new idea He rut mn the
perznfe with which been pairing his nails bil
wondering why his hands become so thin and awaited
events. She presently turned approacbed the 1ckeves
puoked spike Of the with great girlish light
ness ana then apparently discovering Mr. anln start
ed in deep said in somewhat stentoran no.
Hleness' 1 beg your pardOn-ddnt know was intrud-
rDon't mention it, returned lack nrornntlv hut with
n OUT moving 1 saw coming prepared;
generaly-as have something the with my
4 "a sudden Joy like this is dangerous"
somewhat mysthed. but struggling express
1 sion Of rigorous decorum grathed vanity Miss
/ Melinda stammered. Il was only"
Il knew it-I what Won were doing irte-r,,nted
.ack graEey' only wouldn't do it if you. You
@ we're @ looAlng at one Of those young down the hill
looking too, and that would only him
And girl with your attractions require that"
IL H. said Melinda. with lofty but somewhat redden-
L take look at"
It's the first look that does the business" returned
/ 'aoA SIMPLY But maybe was wrong. Would you mind
as you're going straight to the house Iiss elindl
had certainly MISUNDERSTANDING
with them"
4 viii speak to their mar" Melinda prinly. yet
with certain sign OF reenting, she turned away
You can say to her that I finding
II the sttng-room when down." continued Jack
tsctfully.
Apparently the tact successful. for he was de-
lighted few moments later by the joyous onset Of John
Wesley and Mary Emrneline upon buckeyes
ar once converted into hide seek. permit
ug hnselfsat last be shamefuly caught open
But wisely resolved upon guarding against fur
ther grown-up interruption, consulting
paions found that of the lower there
large reservoir by rvuet-but they were
allowed play there Thither however the reckless
/ Jack hied with his playmates, presently
sconoed under wdIo-~ tree where he dexerousiy fash
n his
sailing submerged expanse of nearly an acre But
half an hour Of this ingenious brought
abrupt termination While cutting bark,
ar5 t,r1ed il-1 - 81 @ - I llos' ZI- ne Si eru e 81 am
water grasping root and Mary Emmelne-no-
Vherei In another minute he strings pima
fore appear the surface yards beyond
nannels, he had
Of finding himself OF his depth was however followed
10y with the chlds clothing and cutching
firmly, stroke brought him painting
Here gasp. gurgie. and then Mary En-
ley, satisfied him that the danger Rescuing
boy from the root, he on the grass
and contemplated them exercising their lungs with mis-
cradle satisfaction But here he found his breathing
npeded in addition to slight faintness and sud
ny obliged to sit down beside them At which, by
sympathetic intuition they both stopped crying.
Encouraged by this Mr.. Hamlin got them to laughing
again, and then proposed race home in their wet
clothes which they accepted Mr. Haunlin for respiratory
tagging IN ler until he had the satisfaction
Of seeing them captured by the Mortified Melinda in front
Here he changed his saturated clothes
over him. laid dressing gown o miser-
able reflections He had nearly children.
overexcted himself spite OF his promise the doctor
He again be intrusted with the
be believed by the latteri
But events always logical Mr. Hsnln
comfortably sleep and into profuse perspration He
was awakened by reppng at his door, and opening
surprised Mrs. Rivers with inquiries
as 70 his condition with emotion
which prm could conceal Il did
know until now how serious the accident was,
but for you and Divine Providence my girl might
drowned. It Melinda it ALL" In
vzrdly ob5urgating Melinda, relieved
his piayates hadn't broken their promise Of secrecy
Mr. Hamlin laughed.
I'm that your little girl wouldn't have into
the all but for me-and must give all the
credit OF getting felow"he stopped
ct the severe change Mrs Rivers expression and added
lcuite boyshly and sudden drop from his
eevy, But please don't keep the children away from
for all that Mrs Rivers"
Mrs Rivers did not md day nd his
companions sought fresh playing fields and
storytelling pastures Indeed, it fine sight to
this pale handsome, elegantly dressed young fellow
and barefooted boy on the other The ranch
men turned and looked after him curiously. One, rustic
prodigal reduced by dissipation to the wine husks Of
Ianching, fit famiiarly sccost him;
The last I dealing poker in Sacramento.
Mr. HamIin reckon to find here playing
with g couple Of kids"
moi" responded Mr.. Hsmln suavely "and yet I re-
member playing with some country idiots down
thereand were one OF theml Wen! understand that
I'D here-I prefer kids Don't let remind
nevertheless Mr. Hanin could not help noticing that
for the three days there many callers
at the ranch, hat obliged walks
avoid the high Of the impertinen
osty waysres Some Of them were Of that sex which
he would have contened himself with simply calling
curious"
.that that Mrs stubbs who wouldn't go into the
r4ybtoUn Hotel because there pay-actress thar
has been snoopn twice since that feler
came fact. however. Mr. Hamlin blissfuly
&aconscious.
Nevertheless his temper growing uncertain: the
Of his smart straw hat was becoming aggressive to