The San Francisco call., 1903-01-11

cards. too, and we shall see what he can
do at triumph. Just we four-no one else
at all. You and Jane, the new Duke OF
Suffolk and l. Oh! I can hardly wait.
ana she fairly danced with joyous an
The thing had enough irregularity to
give II zest, for while Mary often nau
lew young people in her drawlng-roOill .la
couples only, and the King and queen, TO
make up for greater faults, were Wohoer-
tui sticklers in the matter of ltue pro-
prieties.
The ten-crown wager, too, gave spice 10
1t, but to do her justice she careSo very nery
bling purely for gambling's S sake, and with
her the next best thing to winning was
losing.
awakened. Brandon and told him & Oh tne
distinguished honor that awaited MIN.
We'll! IN be"-but he did not say wnas ,nss
he would be He always halted before or,
oom, but then bewareEhe had learned
to swear in Flanders. How she dld ny
at me the other morning; | never was
more surprised in all my life. For once 1
was almost caught with my guard down,
and did not know how to parry the thrust.
| mumbled over some sort of lame retail
alton and beat a retreat 1t was SO un-
angry; but she was so gracious in her
amends that l was n'-nost clad II nap
pened. I like a woman who can be as
savage as the very devil WneU IL plCdoSS
her; she usually has in store an assort-
treme.'
She told me Of your encounter, re-
turned. "but -~'' -i,a had come off second
best and seemed to think her overthrow
a huge joke"
woman thinks and feels will have great
deal of valuable information" he replied:
and then turned over for sleep, greaIly
did i'd '''' ' ''-'1
I was not sure he would be so highly
fattered If he knew that he had been In
vited to settle a wager, and to help Mary
AS to the former, had an interest there
myself. although I dared not settle Fne
question by asking Brandon II he played
of Mary's sport. ] felt there was but little:
If any, danger of her having too much or
it at his expense, Brandon being well able
to care for himself In that respect;
wended our way, by infrequented
route and presented ourselves. as secretly
as possible, at the drawing-room OF the
The door was opened by Lady Jane. and
we met the two girls almost at the
threshold. had told Brandon OF the ban
tering conversation about the title and es
tates of the late Duke Of Suffolk, ana
he laughed over 1t IN the best of humor
If quick to retaliate for an Intentional
offense, he was not thin-skinned az
piece Of pleasantly, and had none OF that
stiff, sensitive nature. so troublesome to
ones self and friends.
Now, Jane and Mary were always ban
tering me because I was short and inclin-
cd to be-in fact-round, but l old not
care. 1t made them laugh, and their
laughing was SO contagious II MADE me
laugh, too and we all enjoyed IT: l would
give pound sterling any time for good
laugh: and that. think, is why 1 have
always been-round-
So. upon entering, I said;
"HiS Grace. the Duke of SunOlk, Ia
dies"
They each made sweeping courtesy,
with hand on breast. and gravely saluteo
"Your Gracel Good even'''
Brandon's bow was as deep and grace
full, II that were possible, as theirs, ana
with little halt in his step and big
blowing out Of the cheeks, In ludicrous
imitation Of his late lamented predecessor,
that sent the girls into peals Of soft
laughter and put US ell at our ease imme-
diately.
All! what thing It is. to look back
upon; that time Of life when one finds his
heaven in a ready Taught
BE seated all, !" said the Princess. This
is to be without ceremony, and only We
four. No one knows word OF II. Did you
tell any one, Sir Edwin"
Perish the thought" I exclaimed.
She turned her face toward Brandon,
but ! know you did not I've heard
how discreet you were about another mat
ter. Well, no one knows 1T then, and We
can have famous evening; You did not
expect this, Master Brandon, after my
reception Of you the other morning? Were
you not surprised when Sir Edwin told
you?"
pared not to be surprised at anything
your Highness might graciously conclude
to do-after my first experience" he an
Swered smiling.
''Indeed?'' returned Mary, with elevated
eyebrows and q rising infection on the
last syllable Of the word. II was now her
to find some way to surprise you, one OF
these days.; and the time came when she
was full Of surprises for him: Mary con-
tinued: but let us not talk about the
other day. or what use are other days
anyway? Before the evening is over. Mas
ter Brandon, we want you to give US an
other sermon" and she laughed. setting
off three other laughs as hearty and sin
cere as If she had uttered the rarest wit
ticism on earth.
The Princess had told Jane and Jan.
as Mary called 1t.
Jane needs 1t as much as l." said the
Princess.
''I can't believe that" responded Bran
don looking at Jane with a softening
glance quite too admiring and commenda-
tory to suit me- for / was Jealous little
devil.
The eyebrows went up again
"Oh! you think she doesn't7 Well In
truth, Master Brandon, there is one fall
ing that can not be laid at your door; you
laughed and that gave us the cue. and
away we went in a ripping chorus, all
about nothing. Some persons may call
our laughter foolish, but there are others
who consider II the height of all wisdom
st. Georgel I'd give my Garter for just
one other laugh like that for just one
other hour Of youths dancing blood and
glowing soul-warmth; Of sweet uncon-
scious, happy, heartbeat and paradise
creating Joy in everything.
After a few minutes OF gay converse
ton, In which we all Joined, Mary asked
What shall we do? Will one Of you sug-
gest something?"
Jane sat there looking so demure you
would have thought mischief could not
live within a league of her. but those very
demure girls are nearly always danger
Gus. She said, oh! so innocently:
Would you like 10 dance? If so, will
play" And she reached for her lutte
which was by her side
"Yes, that will be delightful. Master
Brandon, will you dance with me7'' asked
the Princess, with a saucy little laugh
her invitation meaning so much more tC
three Of us than to Brandon. Jane and
Joined in the laugh. and when Mary
clapped her hands that set Brandon of
too. for he thought 1t the quaintest. pret-
test little gesture In the world, and was
all unconscious that our laugh was at his
expense.
Brandon did not answer Mary's invita-
ha 80 10 AoA oHob bIxt MT