The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

walk through the grounds
They were at an opening in q hedge,
from which a Eraveled path LED nrst
through an orchard, then into a meadow
and garden.
This is where father works and Madge
plays" Bannister said. a. they strode UP
the path, now and then catching glimpses
of a large. rambling building, beyond
meadow and garden. From the nrst Vio-
let in the spring to the last earthing up
OF celery in the fall, my distinguished
papa fuses with plant life, interfering
with the gardeners and lawn Keepers
making our vegetables cost US faoulous
sums, but preserving his health and con-
vincing himself that he's a Hcientino
farmer
Howard was not attending to the pratt
tie of his friend; he heard something that
much more engaged his attention:
sweet, joyous laugh, unanecteo' nearly
gayly unconscious-the dearest souno on
earth; the laugh Of pure physical happi-
ness, springing from the light heart OF
girl Something in the sound moved
Howard as II he had suddenly heard the
mocking BIRDS gallant outpouring OF
brave music He stopped, his face flushed
and his eyes sparkled. Bannister, noting.
said careIessly, "Oh, it's only Madge!
come along"
''Madge-your little sister,"
TITS Madge," Bannister replied, looking
at his friend. then smiling. "But she
isn't little. There she is-what the oevn
look, Paxton. Oh, this is a fine joke 10
have on Madge!"
What Howard first saw In the meaoo"
through the orchard trees was youth
of fourteen or so, falling on a tootpaH-
either in holdover enthusiasm iroin
the season past or an early outcroppihs
of enthusiasm for the season TO COINS,
The youth having recovered the pa1i
passed it, and, following its flight WIN
his eyes, Howard saw 1t neatly caush.
by young woman. She stoppeo
laughing as she poised the ball ana
estimated with critical eye the ol-
rection and distance OF tho young
man. Then there was SWISH o.
skirts. a seconds glimpse OF 6toutIy
shod. shapely foot. and the ball went
hurting far and true. She watcheo Ns
fortunes, lips parted eyes gieam,ns, Iam - aH II
as the boy fumbled she crleo' . Ill on -
Jones; fall on itl'
Jones did so, ana having picked
It and himself up passed the Dai,
back again The girl again polseo
for kick. but Bannister, VINO VINO
with Howard had now reacheo tne
edge of the open, laughed. At the souno
she turned, startled; her eyes hasned
scorn at her brother, her lips trempleo.
as If abe would speak II indignation mad
not stricken her dumb. Suddenly sne
hurled the ball at her brother, gathered
her skirts around her, turned ana ran;
Bannister lodged the ball, whicn Ho"aro
caught: and handling 1t Ike an expert
he kicked II to master Jones, with sucn
force and precision that that unreasonable
enthusiast was bowled over. "Oh, MT.
Bannister!" he cried when he had righteo
himself. "I wish your friend would Kick
for me little" =,
"Madge seemed 10 be doing pretty well
for you," Bannister said.
"Well enough for girl" the youth ao-
mttted indulgently. But you know that
a man can't get good practice unless a
man is playing with him. After the rain
the other day Madge kicked her overshoe
off and It new-myl-clean over tho
treesW
Howard saw no more Of Madge that
afternoon, though he was conscious OF
singulariy strong hope that he might.
Nor did he meet any other member OF the
family. Mrs. Bannister 1t appeared, was
giving a tea at the neighborhood Country
Club. and Mr.. Bannister was at farm he
owned In the vicinity, struggling with
the problem of making some Of the cab
bage of Brussels turn into sprouts and
not all into stalk. George and Howard
drove far about the country until II was
time to dress for dinner. Sorry to put
you to the trouble Of dressing. out here In
the country" George said, but my
mother holds to the belief that the oftener
a man changes his clothes tho less fire.
Quently he commits murder"
George had 30 far completed his own
dressing that he was struggling, In a
storm Of extravagant invective, with the
problem Of tying a strip OF lawn about his
collar without wrtnklinG the lawn or
bringing on apoplexy. when Madge
knocked, and being asked to enter, did 80
~
"Animall''
Her brother let her see his smiling re-
hection IN the mirror. but made no re-
ply.
Unnatural brotherl Hideous, base,
boorish-"
"Bubbling bouncer," George suggested,
as she hesitated for a word.
She was dressed for dinner, all IN white
and dainty blue, and looked charmingly
feminine, in spite OF her tragically folded
arms, lowering brows and angry eyes.
Don't think you can make a Jest of
this, George Bannister!' she said, stamp
ing her foot, and shaking her head at his
grinning reflection. What right had you
to come in through the orchard with a
stranger? Why did you not drive to the
front of the house like a Christian, and
not subject me. your own sister, to the
gross humiliation, the unthinkable shame
of being discovered in an attitude of-of-
George Bannister, what are you grinning
at? you appalling ape!
Hes going to look for the rubber you
kicked off the other day. and write a
poem on it," her brother said, snatching
off another lawn tie and throwing 1t on
the floor where half dozen lay.
"I'll box that Jones boys ears" she
exclaimed, a new variety of rage, or some
other emotion perhaps, coloring her face.
at wouldn't have been miserable of
you," she continued. 'if he had not been
a stranger, or 1 had not been shod like
a policeman"
"Ah, but your skirts. MadgeI They
were beautiful And your stockings!
Blue, weren't they7"
IT hate your she cried. ''You are a
person of low mind; one II were hattery
to call a coward; and shall never speak
to you as long as livei Blue, indeedr'
She turned to leave the room, but he
called after her coaxingly, please.
Madge, won't you tie this tie for fell
low, before you leave me forever7 I'll
tell you something awfully nice II you
will"
With q swiftness and neatness that