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

ing south very soon- Aoo wiz - -
that"
May 1 see DaisyT' Harry asked
family.
Mr.. Bunton picked up the valise, an old
fashioned black leather case, on whose
metal clasp he CHANGED to notice the
owners initials roughly scratched, and
handed II to Harry without word. The
young man sighed; he had hoped for the
emotional satisfaction of a parting from
his bride He believed-knew-tha she
would promise to wait for him, would as
sure him of her belief in his innocence.
would. certainly weep and embrace him,
and he would tell her that he was max
ing the sacrifice for her sake. and then
tear himself away with a heroic speech.
His poor, unstable wits were framing
such speech in the same fragmentary
way that he was thinking of the pleasure
he would buy with the money he still
held in his hands. But the significant ac-
ton Of the merchant recalled him to
dismal sense of his peril. He put the
money in his pocket and walked out of
the room, carrying the black leather va
lise.
Mr.. Bunton waited for some time for
Daisy to appear He expected that she
would come as soon as she heard the
noise of the departure. He dreaded an
other interview with her, since the rev.
citation Of her character the first inter-
view had made. His experience with Har-
~ had been just what he had expected.
for he had never been in any doubt OF
that young mans moral weakness. He
had read him, as he did most men, cor
rectly, except that If he had been called
upon to consider the matter he would
have thought that Harry did not have
courage to steal. He was confident that
his threat would effect it's purpose with
him; confident that no prompting OF
greed or want would embolden Harry to
attempt to assert himself as Daisy's huS-
band or to become troublesome as a
threatening beggar after the divorce. But
Daisy7 She had astounded him. He had
taken II for granted that his admission
OF guilt would make her turn on her hus-
band with indignant loathing. Her unex-
pected attitude amazed and troubled him.
But after the first relief that Daisy did
not at once appear and demand an expla-
nation her father-besan TO feel nervous
that she did not appear. There was no
sound whatever from her room. Could
she have fainted2 sudden worse fear
sent him with a bound TO the door He
opened 1t and looked into the room.
Daisy was seated In deep, old-fashioned
rocking chair, but motionless that he
stepped forward fearsomely lest his sud
den thought should prove to be true. He
smiled grimly. though. when he stood
close by her side; her feet were resting
which a low wood fire was burning; her
right hand lay in her lap, loosely hold
Ing novel; her left hand rested over an
open box of candy on the window SILL
and she slept peacefully.
He stood by her side many minutes mo-
tionless. silent: but there were tears IN
his eyes. She was only II and she slept
so quietly, looked much younger. He
could almost see-could fully realize-her
baby face. as he had often watched It in
infant sleep, and he knew that he would
give all else that he valued on earth to
efface the last day OF her iife-almost
wished that her profound sleep was her
last. profounder one. He sighed. per-
haps. for the girl awoke. smiled. and said.
''Oh. is II you. papa? Where is mammal
Then he sobbed. and she sat up with
START, and said in a very different tone.
Where IS Harry?'
Gone"
Gone? Where?'
Gone away. He has left YOU
II don't believe itr' she cried. jump
ing to her feet IN a rage. IF he has you
have sent him away. You have frightened
him. He must come bacK-I will so to
him.
Then her father said what he hoped he
would not have to say: He has accepted
bride to desert you, Margie: and to es-
cape the penalty of his theft"
IT don't believe you! You're lying to
met
"Margiel Oh. MargielT He stared at his
child. frightened: then suddenly held out
his hands to her But she turned from
him, and went to the window. where she
stood tapping the pane with her fingers;
and would not answer when he spoke to
her. He did not reprove her. but said,
over and over, how unworthy Harry was
or bOxx md i'm
inal. He, her father, would forgive her
had forgiven her-for her mistake, the
error Of her ignorance and inexLerience;
and thew would all, ner mother. father,
grandfather, treat her as if this had not
happened. 1t would be forgot by them
and no one else would know.
But she would not answer nor look at
him. nor when, soon after. ner grand
father came and took her in his arms
and petted her, did she speak to him. She
did not once speak on their journey back
to Round Valley
At the farm Mrs. Bunton was waiting
for them and Daisy ran to her weeping.
They were together in the mothers room
for an hour. while Isaac waited alone in
the cold, stif1y furnished parlor.
He had been sitting in the dark and
when his wife came to him he rose to
light lamp, but she took his hand quiet
herself near him and holding both of his
hands as he told her every detail of his
story from the time he left her the even
ing before. 1t was a minute after he had
concluded before she said softly, Isaac,
co you seriously think that you and faith
er Bunton can go on with this plan-get
a separation, a divorce?'
''Why not?" he asked In a surprised
tone
why mott" she repeated. why, Isaac,
what can you be thinking of? Daisy will
never consent to this. She will never agree
to this. She will never agree to give up
Harry"
"Carriel Give him up? He has given
her up. He has deserted her"
She will find him wherever he is. She
can never be convinced that he has de-
serted her-it would make no difference.
She loves him"
Loves himi" he cried in angry amaze
ment THE man is a thief"
''She does not believe it. She loves him -
Loves him! after he has taken bride
TO run away from her-the sneakI
~ q hac rim