The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-09-20

that She's met some friend from the
Heights likely. and gone home with her.
There's nothing to be frightsnsd about.
1t wasn't very considerats Of her to leave
you with all the nxings of the party 70
got ready"
Isaac They keep me In a trembls AL the
time. They're not half protected By dag
men; and more and more trains rushing
In and out with ore and coal all the tina.
There's scarcely day that some accident
doesn't happen"
well, Carrie, wen make the Town
Council order more hagmen. Nothing has
happened to Daisy or we'd hear Of IL"
And there are 30 many rough charac-
ters drifting into town for the winter.
Oh. where can she be? Isaac. I'm frigh-
tened"
Nonsense. Carrie, nonsenssI She'll
soon be home and I'll scold her. too. for
not helping you this afternoon 1 suppose.
though, that Harry pitched in and helped
you hke-like a girl"
''Harry7' Mrs. Bunton questioned In
astOnishment.
Certainly. Harry-Harry Lawton- He
left the Office at 3 o'clock to come here
and help you"
Isaac Bunton. are you sureT'
81 am. had to return to the once late
and Dan Mannix said Harry started for
here"
HE has not been here"
Husband and wife stared at each other.
neither speaking; but her eyes began to
clear.
oh" she said. with a sigh OF relief
like as not Daisy met Harry and they're
calling somewhere. You know what a
hand Harry is for calling"
There was a tone of appeal at the end
for she saw in her husbands eyes signs
OF storm Calling" he exclaimed He
has no right TO be calling. / gave him
some business to attend to for me-busl-
ness that had TO do with money" He
started I'D with the last words and said
II want to send the man over 10 the par
sonage to ask Mr.. Callman about some
thing"
There was a ring at the door, and. with
out waiting for the maid. Mr. BuntOn
answered 1t. A telegram. He did not
open It until he had returned to the sit
ting room Then he read II. and let IL
drop from his hand with cry OF rage
Married! To a sneaking good for
naughtH'
Mrs. Bunton picked up the dispatch. but
hers was cry OF joy: "Oh thank God.
Daisy Is safe"
She had never before seen the man who
now turned on her. the man to whom she
had been nearly twenty years married.
''Safe, and you thank God7 would have
thanked God had the cars crushed her
life out as you feared, rather than thisi
A silly! A pretty, witless thing that I
gave work to-as I would give food to a
puppy that you liked-to keep 1t from
starving. A sinking. mincing. dancing.
girl-of-a-boy! Such a thing to be the
only son 1 am to havel timid lazy
He stopped, and his expression OF rage
turned to despair. as he whispered-"And,
perhaps a thiefr'
He rushed from the house, but in few
minutes returned Yes. a th!efI'' he
said He stole the minister's salary to
take our daughter on her wedding jour
neyl''
After a little he spoke more quietly.
Carrie" he said perhaps we can save
Accommodation public disgrace See.
this dispatch means nothing to others
than US H. l. and Margie married
Margie-Our pet name for her and only
ours Seven o'clock. can catch the
seven-thirty."
He went for hia coat and hat
Isaac. Isaac, don't be hard on herr
begged Mrs. Bunton.
ION herr he answered. mo, not on
her. Listen, Carrie: we must keep this
secret The folks will be coming soon-
Say I'm suddenly called away on busi-
ness; that Daisy is with me. That'u sat
isfy all OF EN- II you care for my hfe's
peace of mind give no sign Of this. Per-
haps 1t need never be known publicly"
''Oh. Isaac. don't be hard on her. wepC
the mother.
When he was gone she became calm
"He'n not be hard on Daisy. He'll for
give them both. Harry couldn't have
meant to take the money. He's such a
sweet boy she said over and over.
And so she met her evening guests;
the fathers and mothers OF families with
whom every interest OF her life had be-
gun. developed and matured. None OF
these was surprised at the absence OF rest
less rushing Ike Bunton; nor that Daisy
should have gone with him to Round Val
ley, since that was her grandfather Bun
toms home where she frequently visited.
She had been looking III lately. more than
one matron observed, and the visit would
freshen her uD.
But Harry was missed. Many asked
for him and said they hoped he would bo
there. Their simple social doings were
much dependent upon Harry None so
apt as Harry at charades and all kinds
of games. Not even the minister was as
clever at riddles as Harry; and he was
as good as a professional at sleight-of
hand Even the young beaux admitted
his cleverness-thOugh he was Sc popular
with the bellies. But he was not the kind
Of man to be jealous T.. Grace Paxton
was there and good naturedly helped en-
tertain by playing the plano when the
young folks wanted TO dance, while the
oIdsters talked over the church choir. or
0lSCuSSeQ
school Christmas tree. Howard Paxton,
accepting modestly many compliments
upon his growing fame as a newspaper
man, dutifully seconded his sister Grace
in her neighborly efforts 90 make the
guests not too much regret Harry's alb
sence.
Howard told Mrs. Bunton that his
father, the doctor. had not been homo to
dinner He had not seen him. indeed, to
salute him postmaster, for the doctor
had been called out OF town Just bsfors
supper and before Howard returned from
his work. He left word with the hired
girl that he would look IN at the Buntons'
II he returned before 10 o'clock
But DR.. Paxton did not return IN tine
to look in. at the Mite Society, nor was
he at home when Grace and Howard re-
turned there at 10 o'clock. Poor papa!"
said Grace: IT hope he will not be kept
out very late"
The serving girl said that the doctor