The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27


way 10 my sisters
. Bannister took Howard's arm again
and rushed him into a flower shop. There
he purchased q bunch of expensive roses.
and turned TO Howard with an entirely
new manner, the suavity and gentleness
OF q well-bred man, and said, pray, Mr..
Paxton. send these TO your sister. with
an apology. and dine with me. Tell your
sister that you are doing an act of mercy,
charity. and that am her grateful slave
from now through eternity
Howard assented to the proposal, for
his interest was keenly aroused in his
companion The roses and a note Of ex-
started from the florists when Bannister
stopped, struck his forehead violently
and exclaimed, mo, we Will not dine as
princes dine, but as the gods! How
love her! Loyei do 1 say. Alteration,
worship are but futile-oh. heavens. we
have ouarreledi Where is your tele-
phone?' he demanded of a clerk.
The clerk pointed to a little booth
where patrons might telephone with the
discretion the sending OF flowers some
times demands. and Bannister led the
way there. As he was about TO enter the
booth he stopped and said, mo! Not my
Voicel Not my voice too suddenly. You
call her and speak for me-
Howard called for and obtained the tel
ephone whose number Bannister gave him
and a trembling voice asked. us that
you, George?" Il am speaking for Mr..
George Bannister." Howard said. ASK
her" whispered Banister hoarsely, 'if 1
am forgiven" Howard forwarded the in
quiry and the voice assured him that
there was nothing TO forgive and asked
tearfully II George was not coming 10
dinner. The lady's state Of mind being
explained by Howard, over his shoulder,
he was Instructed to inform the voice that
George was its devoted and humble slave,
which being done, the voice asked II
George would not take the telephone In
person. He did so and swore that some
thing had been entirely his fault; that
he was q miserable wretch who had been
no better than a murderer to say that IT
was her fault and could he bring Mr..
Howard Paxton TO dinner2 Yes, 1t was
the Nj Paxton he had talked TO her
about and she needn't dress with too
much formality. as they were coming up
dressed as they were
Howard was greatly amused by these
performances, for he had heard some
thing Of Bannister that had led him to ex-
pect a very different sort OF person.
Turnbuu had told him that the young
man after two or three years tumultu-
Gus career in Paris, where he seemed TO
have done a number OF other things be-
sides improving himself In art, returned
10 New York with q boisterous convic-
ton that literature held all the prizes
that were worth striving for and that
he was peculiarly qualified to win them.
he might have humbly advanced To-
ward literature. as others are SAID TO
have done, by way Of journalism, except
for temueramental tendency to fight
every editor who dared TO lay q disparag-
ing pencil across so much as a nne-a
word-of his writing. Having, In white
rage, informed most OF the editors that
they were OATS, wallowing in mire OF
Intellectual incapacity. he was con-
strained to abandon journalism; and' py
chance took up the work of writing ana
Illustrating Advertisements. This work
paid well, and while not entirely satisfy
ing his literary ambitions, II did SATISFY
a stronger one-to be financially indepeno-
ent Of his father; an eccentric but fapu-
lously prosperous corporation lawyer,
who scoffed at his Sons lowly vocation.
When he first met him at the club How
ard had no idea that Bannister was the
commercial author and poet OF whom
Turnbull had told, and the revealed ioen-
tity had strengthened the FIRST lively IN
terest he felt in the man What could
the lady be like who had won his ardent
affections? he wondered. as they drove
up town to the west OF the park. That
touch about her not being strong enough
70 suddenly hear his telephone voice
gave q hint A tender, pining young
thing surely, Howard concluded. They
alighted from their cab in front of a
smart little four-story buck cottage, ono
of a row OF such In q street near the
southern end OF the Riverside Drive, and
Bannister, after literally tipping the
driver Cvhom- however, he called a cal
tiff and told that his horse had died long
ago), sprang UP the steps, rushed past
the maid at the door, crying. Gertrude!
Lovel Ny hearts jewell Forgive?
av~A ls~NHF
ard wondered how. II at all. he was to
be ushered into Gertrude's presence, when
the maid, es II not at all surprised at
what had occurred, said very calmly,
'"Wil you step into the parlor, sir?
They'll be there soon"
Howard entered q little, brilliantly
lighted room that bad q cozy, homelike
feeling OF being much lived in by COM
Portable. coEy people An old lady, white
haired, but pink-cheeked, was seated In
an easy chair, reading an evening paper.
She rose as Howard entered, and said in
q placid tone, 81 am glad to see you, Mr..
Paxton VIII you take evening paper
and readH" She pointed to q dozen on a
table. MY daughter, Mrs. Carr, will be
here soon" She sank back in her chair
and resumed her reading. but looked over
the top OF the paper to say, Their rec
onciliations are speedily effected, and
She did not finish the sentence, being
fascinated, II Seemeos Dy inc HedoliheS VI
the paper. Howard had little time to
wonder II Mrs. Carr was the one whom
he had telephoned to. for. IN minute,
Bannister entered tho room, his arm
around the waist OF q very plump, q
very smiling. q very blonde, q very coy
and comfortable looking young woman,
who did not appear to be more than %
years old, and who, Howard concluded,
could not be Mrs. Carr. But Bannister,
beaming brightly, advanced, saying, Ger
trude, Mrs. Carr, heart Of my soul, dream
Of my heart. soul Of my dreams, this Is
Mr.. Paxton"
Mrs. Carr put out q pretty little hand.
bearing q great many diamonds, and said,
''It was so good OF George to insist upon
your coming. and fer you to come.
Mamma this is''-
II have met Mr.. Paxton" said mamma,
not looking up from her paper. 'r0eorge," :"
she added. with the nrst interest that
had appeared In her manner, "did you
bYing up the night editonsf"
George took late editions Of the evening
papers from all the pockets OF his coat
and gave them TO the old lady, who re-
ceiyed them eagerly and until dinner was