davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27
By G. B. Lewis.

demanded Of Harry after inviting him out
70 the barn for a talk.
Il love Betty and am going to marry
her" was the reply.
You viii never do it with my CONSENT"
But am of age, father"
Then I'll cast you off. II you marry
that girl you cease TO be a son OF mine,
and shall never get cent of this prop
erty''
Harry didn't indulge in any heroics. On
the contrary he took the matter so quiet
ly that his father chuckled to himself
and believed he had gained a victory in
the first round. He let II be known that
he expected Harry to cease his visits TO
the farmhouse, but at the same time he
was prepared to close his eyes for a time
and give the boy a chance to retire with
dignity. Things went on for three months
without anything further being said.
That is. while II was said on all sides
that Harry and Betty would be married
on Thanksgiving day, the talk did not
reach the sQuire's ears until one evening
in October. He was a man who acted on
impulse. He determined to go straight
over TO the Widows and settle things his
way within fifteen minutes of arriving
The widows bear had no particular
gruoge against the squire, but he was
watch dog as well as a bear. He had
DeSu turned OUT lndl evening 10 roam
around and see that all was well and
when he suddenly discovered Squire Da-
Wis coming cross lots through the barn
yard IL was only natural that he should
fasten his teeth in the farmers trousers
leg and conduct him to the door of the
house. The squire didn't scare at bulls
or tramps or mad dogs, but he drew the
line 81 bears He was IN a cold fright
when he reached the house, and the
widow added TO II by allowing the bear
TO follow him in and sit UP before him
and growl and show his teeth. Harry had
come counting as usual. and OF course the
position was embarrassing for a couple of
minutes. It might have lasted longer
but for the presence of mind Of the wild
ow. She realized that the bear had dealt
her winning hand and she proceeded to
play II for all 1t was worth.
Il am very gald TO see you" she said
she placed q chair for the caller Il
am the Widow Jenkins, perhaps you
know. This young lady is my friend,
Miss Lee, and the young gentleman there
is your son Harry. The bear has intro
duced himself. but I wish to say on his
behalf that he is aching TO make mince-
meat of you"
Harry, what are you doing here?''
hoarsely demanded the father.
"Courting Betty, sir" was the reply.
I'VE are soon to be married and 1 was
Married to that girl-neverI You will
remember that I told you"
The bear reared up and growled ON
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27


among the pine needles. The serious hazel
eyes regarded him with a calm. disinter-
ested independence that was exasperating.
1T is always no. This is the fourth
time"
Three and a half" There was fash
of mischief in her quick smile. You only
got as far as lifetime of devotion last
time and Mr.. Tisdale came for his waltz.
When will you try again?"
Never" His voice was quiet She
could not see his face. 'T give up the
fight. think that even you will grant
I have made a hard one for the cause.
and since it is hopeless 1 shall leave Ar
leigh"
For the SUMMER" She dug the point
of her parasol a trihe viciously in among
the innocent pine needles.
mo. Indefinitely. expect to go to
Japan on business. and from there will
merely drift anywhere. 1t does not mat
ter so long as do not drift into Arleigh
Harbor and try again-for the fourth
time"
She did not answer. There was a new
tone IN his voice that troubled her, a tone
OF cynicism and fnality. She looked off
at the broad half moon OF the bay and
shivered at the sudden chill in the air
since the sun had gone down. The sea
looked gray, with long wreaths OF swirl
ing white foam where the tide was COM
ing in full. There was a dull. low roar
to the breaking waves in the beach below,
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

held in her arms, and from under the soft
chiffon Of her white hat, and he looked
down at her out OF deep-set eyes under
shaggy brows. Then his glance followed
hers down the long distance Of the room.
resting on the girl who stood there, be-
meath q bower OF palms. The cloudy
masses Of her white veil were thrown
back from a face Of smiles and bushes
as she received congratulations and won
dered vaguely at the strange sweetness
of 1t all.
"You-don't-mean-itT There were
great pauses Of incredulity between Will
toms words, and the slow smile that came
into his eyes was not one Of vanity, rath-
er of great pleasure in an unexpected
compliment
"Is she not the girl have always do
scribedP Tall and slender, big brown eyes
and soft, curling, light-brown hair? You
have been blind all this time not to have
seen whom meant I had set my heart on
It somehow" she added sadly. You both
seem so well suited to each other"
"Why did you not tell me soonerf I
might have set to work-it would have
been hard work, though" He was still
looking at the bride.
play the part OF matchmaker And
where my little sister was concerned1
All. mol I could not tell you, but I did
80 want It."
THAT is the greatest compliment you
could have paid me. really"
He had turned and was looking down
into her eyes. Suddenly he stopped. as II
a thought had stihed his words, and the
color left his face for one short second.
Come" she said, as though divtning
his thought and wishing to interrupt It.
''you are to make the first toast, I be-
lieve; you must continue your duties as
best man."
She led the way down the long hall. and
the dining-room.
did you do this7" he asked.
''Yes; do you like it?''
He stood silently drinking IN the beauty
of the room. with it's filmy draper1es Of
asparagus fern, amidst the delicate green
Of which stood forth tall silver and crys-
tai vases, filed with long-stemmed Bride
roses Here and there low bowls
of green and gold Bohemian glass were
half buried beneath the dainty color OF
the Duchesse rose. yelled in leaves OF
maidenhair. The conventional cake with
its streamers Of narrow satin ribbon
shirnmered white amidst the colors. and
the pink shaded candles threw soft renec-
tions over everything.
II was very beautiful, and he said 80
to her She was very beautiful. as she
moved about in her clinging gown Of pal
est green chiffon. Strengthening a leaf
here or bending a flower there, and his
eyes said so, although she did not see It.
Then, the next thing he knew, the room
was filed with people, the young bride
was beside him. and some one was hold
ing a glass toward him, saying, ''Wtl
you not toast them?"
He looked at the bride, bowed and be-
gan.
Hail to thee. blithe spiritr' then
stopped, laughing. THAT won't DO. You
are not a skylark.
shes a bird. though" vehemently In
terrupted a boy who had adored the girl
for years.
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

to fight for and dare for. would have
tried to give her everything she wanted
No man can love her as / do-and
now" vane laughed bitterly as an end
ing to his sentence.
''Why did you come out to-day In this
gaIe7" said Marjorie els your life so
worthless to you that you would risk It
because thoughtless woman has wound
ed your
my rfeI What does it mntterf I
don't care"
II thought you didn't" returned the
why I came. I couldn't let you come
lone."
"And you came because you thought"
"You would be reckless7 Yes"
"And you were not afraid?"
''No-why should 1 be? I knew you
would take care OF me-if not of your
self" The girl smiled at him confidently.
II am perfectly safe with you" she
added.
So Marjorie had risked her life for him,
SO that IN his desperate humor he should
not go alone. But how came she. mere
child, to understand. She. at least, had a
heart to make some man happy And
here he was putting her life at the mercy
Of the sea to crafty his selfish mood Of
bitterness. Well, he must get her home
at once-then- Vane thought he did not
much care what happened afterward-
1t was blowing harder as Vane came
about and Stacked the sheet for the run
to the far distant boathouse and the hotel
on the hill They were going before the
wind now, the boat rolling dangerously
In the clutch Of the sea, the waves behind
following the hungry Jaws and threaten
ing every moment to engulf them.
With braced body and strained muscles,
every sense alert, Vane gripped the tiller,
striving to hold the boat against the
swirlIng buffets Of the waves, his one
thought to get her safe to land. Every
moment the wind increased, every mo-
ment the bay became more tumultuouS.
Would they make TT he wondered.
They were nearly opposite the boathouse
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

when there came q sudden whiri OF wind
from between the hills ahead Vans had
but time to cry a warning when the sail
1ibed, the boom came swinging over with
an angry snarl, the boat was flung upon
her beam ends and the next moment he
found himself entangIed IN cordage and
battling for his life beneath the waves
With desperate fingers he cleared himself
and came to the surface. And Marjorie
where was she2 Good God: had she been
struck by the boom and made unconscious
or killed. or had she, too been carried
down By the sinking boat
For an agonized moment Vane could
see no sign of her and then he spied her
Just coming TO the surface. She was go
ing down again when he caught her and
started for the shore. 1t was a long swim,
against tide that seemed TO drag him
down, as II with clutching hands. but
Vane swore he would save this girl who
had risked her life for him or lose his
own. He could see people running to the
boathouse now and getting out the boat.
How slow they werei Would they never
come? His muscles were giving out, his
breath came heavily. his limbs felt Ike
lead. Could he hold out2 They were
wearing fast now. He tried to revive his
falling strength, to overmaster bis weak
ness the world grew black about him
and then a strong arm gripped his shoul-
der and he and Marjorie were lifted into
the boat and rowed toward shore
In those days afterward. while Marjorie
lowered between life and death, Clifford
Vane learned how much he could do for
this GIRL this girl he thought was a child
and now knew to be the woman IN all
the world for him Gone was his love for
Edith Winthrop. He knew now that he
had in her sister all that Edith had
seemed and more And there came
day when he was permitted to see her.
He found her on an upper piazza OF the
hotel clad in soft blue wrapper, her soft
hair loose on her shoulders, and the smile
her pale face held for him gave him hope
that In saving her he had found happi-
ness.
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27
By Izola L. Forester.

him. Cecil knew all thirty-seven by
heart. They were rehearsed to her with
faithful exactitude by an anxious bevy
of sisters and cousins and aunts.
And there was but one reason why she
should not. She did not choose to.
To Cecil the one reason was sufficient
and outweighed all the good and excel
lent thirty-seven. To the anxious bevy
1t was a willful and foolish obstacle set
up before one Of the happiest chanceS
fate ever offered a girl.
MacDowell was twenty mine. A Travelled
man of the world, with a generous for
tune back of him, who had come from
his globe .trotting cultured, broad-minded
and cosmopolitan, with his native Amer
lean point of view still fresh and optim-
istic.
Cecirs elderly relatives dwelt lovingly
on these points. Her younger ones veered
to the outward and visible signs of grace
and said the tall, six foot wooer was
handsome and altogether desirable.
That was just 1t. He was too desirable.
He was faultless. Ever since he had
come down to Arleigh Cecil had felt her
by the anxious bevy, and thrown at his
head and heart.
Any other man In his position would
have courteously and automatically
avoided the snare. He had walked into
II, eyes open. lips smiling and arms ex-
tended to receive fate's gift. Wherefore
the gift, with faithful feminine contrari-
ness, declined being received.
There was a sudden vivid glare that
ripped the heavy mass of clouds from
end to end. and a long crashing peal of
thunder like cannon. The sea seemed to
swell and leap to meet the sky. The
boughs Of the pines lashed up and down
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

Squire Davis, you are Justice OF the
peace"
What, me marry 'emi" he shouted: but
the bear started in to hug him and he
almost tainted away in his terror.
Yes. you will marry them" quietly re-
piled the widow after a bit. ''It will be a
neat, nice thing to do. and 1t will be a
good joke on the people who expect you
to make a fool of yourself That's one
side of 1t. The other side is that the bear
is getting over anxious"
The squire fought against 1t for q
quarter of an hour. but the widow. the
bear and the girl, aided by occasional
appeals from Harry. carried the day, and
he stood up with the bear beside him
and welded two souls according to law.
Then the bride was kissed. the bear
chained up, and as the squire nibbled
his doughnut and slipped his glass OF
cider he was man enough to admit that
he guessed IT was all for the best-"gaul
durn that bear"
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

like fragile breeze-blown ferns as the
wind swept over them
At the second crash Cecil rose and
turned instinctively to the trees for shell
ter. but the gale caught her. and she
would have fallen only for MacDowelps 8
firm clasp Of her arm Almost instantly
the whole world Of land and sea and sky
seemed on fire, and she shrank back into
his arms with a cry OF fear as a bolt
struck a kingly pine that lowered above
its brothers a few yards away and left It
blasted, smoking ruin
Before she could recover herself he had
lifted her in his arms and gained the
path that led down over the face Of the
bluff.
I'VE can't get to the Shore" she ex-
claimed. The tide is IN"
Put your arms around my neck and
keep STILL" he answered curtly. 1--WE
can't stav I'D here"
She obeyed In silence and he made his
way down the path What had been a
smooth stretch of sand was now a swirl
ing mass of low breakers. MacDoweIl
paused an instant for breath as he
reached II and looked down at the face on
his shoulder Her eyes were closed. A
wild impulse seized him and he bent and
kissed her. The next instant he was knee
deep in the waves, struggling In the teeth
OF the gale to where the shore curved
and safety lay, and he fancied that the
arms around his neck were clasped closer
than before, although the eyes were still
closed and the face was white and still
The waves leaped and snarled with a
kissing roar at his feet like a pair OF
hungry wolves, and he was forced to
stop again and again and lean back
against the blum as the wind heat down
on him The burden in his arms grew
heavier with every dragging step. but at
length the beach shelved and broadened
-. L. Z
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

inously aud the squire turned pale and
shook In hir chair
You must not talk so loud. cautioned
the widow "Bumbo has got one Of his
savage fits on and I can't hold him.
What's the matter with Miss Lee that
you don't want Harry to marry her?"
Il don't want him TO marry any one
just now"
Don't YOU? Down. Bumbo! Well. as
the two are in love and engaged. I think
they will marry. and you will be very silly
to interfere. Don't move your legs or
Bumbo will have theml'
why don't you call off your blamed
old bear when you see that he Is ready
to eat me?" shakingly exclaimed the
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27
singularlH Preserved Coins.

Some fifteen years ago a Virginia gem
tennan purchased In Alexandra, Egypt,
from q native who found It In the wall Of
q building broken during q connagra-
ton, what appeared to be a mass OF cor
roded copper weighing twenty pounds It
was kept as q hearth ornament until re-
Gently II was found to consist OF about 500
Roman coins. struck In the days OF tho
early Caesars. Professor Dunnington Of
the University OF Virginia finds that the
coins contain one part OF silver to four
OF copper, but when dipped IN acid a part
OF the copper disappears. leaving a silvery
surface, which wears" as a white metal
He believes the coins passed for silver
The mass had become encrusted with
double skin OF malachite and OF red
oxide OF copper and remarkable changes
had gone on within, although the letter
Ing and the dates remained legibls
+ + : : : = : = o
In safety and laid her down under the
shelter Of the overhanEing rocks
The first wild fury OF the storm had
passed and only faint rumble Of distant
thunder broke the stiffness. She opened
her eyes and looked up at him as he knelt
beside her. Something new IN their hazel
depths seemed to answer the cry OF his
heart. and he raised two small, cold hands
to his lips
Cecil" he asked. must go7'
The first soft gleam OF midsummer
moonlight was casting a path OF silver
scales on the water when they reached
the hotel veranda- The soft, delicious
music OF a mandolin orchestra came
through the bright lighted windows, and
they paused a moment in the shadow OF
the clinging vines to look back at the sea-
Il knew you would try the fourth
time" she said laughiugly, as she raised
her face to him Japan Is so tar away.
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27
a WIDOW. A GIRL AND A BEAR

face.
II can't. He gets these savage nts on
once in a while and there's no doing any
thing with him. If he gets his teeth into
you l don't think we can save you. Have
you anything against Miss Lee?"
mo"
Don't you think she would make Harry
a good wife?"
"I told you / didn't want. BY thun-
der. are you going to see me eaten alivei"
"Bumbo, spare him a little longer!'
appealed the widow. Now then, Miss
Lee comes of a nice family and is worth
$1,000, and she and Harry are to be mar
rled Thanksgiving day. That is, they
were to be. but l have concluded to have
the ceremony performed this evening.
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

and the anchored yachts out in the bay
were tugging and straining like restive
horses as the swell plunged them to and
fro.
I'VE had better 90 back" MacDowell
said presently, turning to her. There Is
a storm coming up
'I like a storm" She took of her hat
rebelliously and fastened 1t with the pins
to the log. The wind caught her hair
and blew IT in a brown veil across her
eyes and she held 1t back, laughing as
she looked UP at him. 'You may go II
you wish.''
He frowned and threw himself down
on the ground near the edge of the bluff
Il suppose that IS one reason why I
love you,' he said bitterly. You are so
charmingly tractable. You always do as
l say"
There is no necessity for sarcasm" ="
The little sqrara chin tilted higher. Miss
Dunderdale felt indignant. You always
wish me to do something that I don't
want to. And you are-are masterful."
She brought out the hateful word SOL
emnly, and he shrugged his shoulders.
There Is something most annoying in q
person struggling their shoulders at you
when you want to argue. It implies mem
tai superiority and an impregnable stand.
She closed her lips tightly. She would
not say another word. He could go to
Japan or the moon. It was a matter OF
the utmost indifference to her. She turned
away from the stalwart figure on the
ground and looked off at the storm
clouds racing up from the breast of the
sea on the horizon, her chin on her palm,
one small foot swinging to and fro ex-
pressively as she reviewed the case OF
Hugh MacDowell.
There were just thirty-seven good and
excellent reasons why she should marry
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

B !: :: :: !: :: E: !: ). !: ::
HVM MAfcKN the widow Jenkins was
lT ET5NH horned COW, a three
80 tame bear. All were
L curiosities IN their
way, but the COW and the sheep have
nothing TO DO with this story. As the
Eideshow men say. they are thrown IN
without extra cost, and It is up TO the
bear 20 entertain the audience
Besides owning a farm OF nearly two
hundred acres, situated about half mile
below the widow jenkins, Squire Davis
was the proprietor OF the only windmill
for ten miles around and the father OF q
son y years old named Harry. The wind
mill was a good thing in its way, but It
viii be blown out Of this story at once
and make no reappearance. The squire was
q pompous. aggressive sort OF a man.
who wanted TO do all the bossing and
have other people do ell the minding,
while the widow was a woman with q
mind OF her own and didn't propose 20 be
walked on by anybody. 1t thus came
about that soon after she was left a
widow she and the squire clashed No
lawsuit followed, but II was a bad thing
for the cattle and pigs that strayed over
the boundary lines. and there was always
something doing 10 furnish the neIghbors
with talk.
The relations between the squire and
the widow had been strained for three or
four years when two new characters came
into the cast A smart. good-ooking girl
named Betty Lee came TO live with the
widow, and she hadn't been there two
weeks when Harry Davis saw and fell in
love with her. The son had tried to stand
neutral IN the quarrel. though naturally
leaning toward HIS fathers side. Perhaps
one reason why he couldn't be brought to
think altogether m OF the widow was on
account OF her bear. She had bought the
animal Of a stroller who had been taken
sick and shipped to a distant town. It
was a big black bear, full Of tricks and
good nature and IL had taken a great
liking 10 Harry. When the quarrel
reached a certain stage OF bitterness he
had TO part with the bear as well as the
widow. The separation had lasted two
years or more when Betty Lee arrived. A
month later the young man was visiting
the widow, the girl and the bear, and
enjoying each and every occasion. These
visits were unknown 10 the father, OF
course. and he did not discover them un-
III rumor said that his son was going TO
marry Betty. and that the widow Jen-
kins had brought things about TO spite
him
Young man. is it so or is it not?" he
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

thought she had a heart, cried the girl.
This sea has more"
Il know 1t now" said Vane. when
it's too late"
And you-can you care for her still?"
asked Marjorie after silence.
Yes. At least I care for the ideal
thought her"
What did you think 4 : r?''
Brave. courageous. no5' 'e-hearted, with
a soul as beautiful as her body. a com
rade for a man, to face with him the
storms OF life, a woman tender and true,