The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

have made equally searching inquiry OF
any one he chanced to meet, who had
known Mr.. Bunton well IN White River.
He was, to be sure. absorbingly interested
at the time IN all the lawyer had to say
about his father, but he did not connect
that interest With anything DIR. Paxton's
affairs might have had to do with Isaac
Bunton's ownership Of mining lands But
even had his mind been STEPPED in spec
ulation as to the possible purport OF the
interview, the events OF the next day
would have altered the complexion OF
his thoughts Yet the day passed with
only such Incidents as are common to
the lives OF those who have gone back
TO nature"
Mr.. Bannister made no aIIusion to their
talk OF the night before. but said to How
ard after breakfast. I've had 50 much
to do with men that find great satisfac-
ton In studying the habits OF vegetables.
You do not chance to know why the plant
of the Brussels sprout, with freedom OF
choice IN the matter. prefers 70 run all to
stalk and not at all to sprouts7 No? 1t
is quality OF matter nearly akin to mind
and thought you might have observed
it."
With these words he was on to the
farm. accompanied by goddess gard
ener.
Young Mr. George Bannister, eyes dis
traught, hair disordered and manner mad,
said to Howard, I've q soap picture to
draw and some verses on a baby food to
write-curse all soap; hail infant damna-
ton!-so I must leave you to your own
resources for few hours. II this wasn't
family OF eccentrtcs some one would
be about to entertain a guest. But not
soul-only Madge. Hey, Madgel" he ex-
claimed she threw down book and
started to dash from the room, cant
you dig up some amusement to keep Pax
ton from dying OF boredom until some
Hodr fO aDfarfnfu hf112 Whats fha
matter with your WomanI Cat! What
have 1 done?"
The wrath in her eyes was wonderful
to behold, but II no such matter as
the scorn OF her silent nps-though II was
plain that there was much she would
have liked to say to her brother.
IF I've offended you, Madge," cried
George I'm the basest beast that drags
an undeserved existence through this
world of worry and woe"
1t was evident that she had to say
something or perish, so she hissed. You
are an unapproachable batF Ihen sne
fed from the room.
Funny about little girls, isn't itT'
George said, mussing his hair with his
pencil. "Well, you just get a book from
the shelves and fuss around the grounds
until I finish Then we'u do something"
Howard found promising book and
walked out to the orchard, where he sat
down on an inviting bench. opened the
book-but did not read His thoughts were
agreeabIe-for they were all OF Madge-
and must have been engrossing, for the
shadows Of the overhanging bOughs shift
ed far before he was startled into con-
sciousness Of his surroundings by voice
directly over his head saying, please to
go away until come down.
He looked up and on a high branch OF
the tree saw Madge. "Pn help you
down." he exclaimed, laughing.
go awayP she commanded II hate
you, because after I left the room you
and George laughed at me, and you said
that was spiteful creature and should
be taught to keep my temper"
"I neverr' said Howard. Gross my
hearth
go awayP
Howard rose from the bench. tied his
handkerchief over his eyes. covered his
face with his book and the book with his
hat, and called out How many must
countT'
Instantly there was . light jump. he
uncovered his eyes and Madge stood be-
fore him. blushinE and looking repentant.
Its Georges fault" she said He
teases me to distraction, and then do or
say something that makes q stranger
think that I am as eccentric as the rest
OF tho Bannisters I'm the only normally
behaved member Of the family, but Just
because I'm not like the others appear
insane 1 suppose VIII you forgive me
for being rude to George in your pres
ence7"
Howard assured her Of his forgiveness
on condition that she would help him
fuss around until George came to his
rescue
what shall We DOR she asked. IT hate
golf; and, besides, people don't play on
Sunday-until after church Tennis.
same"
How about footbalIr' asked Howard.
gravely.
'Tf you're going to be bad I'll run
away" she replied Indignantly.
'TlI be good" Howard meekly promised.
Couldn't we sit down here and talk over
what we'H do?'
''Oh. 1 love to sit IN the orchardP' she
cried 'but 1 didn't suggest 1t because
mostly It bores people to extinction Don't
you hate people? 1 hate men because the
silly creatures think they're superior to
women! And I hate women because the
silly creatures are so inferior to menl
like horses, though. Have you a sister7
What IS she hkeP
Perhaps It was the number Of topics
thus inpulsively launched that accounted
for the absorption Of the young people
sitting in the orchard. Anyway, when
George found his friend a couple OF hours
later he sneered at the discovery that
Howard was too pleasantly engaged to
welcome disturbance. I'D thought better
Of Paxton he said to himself. than to
: be amused by a wild Indian OF girl like
Madge," and he returned to his room and
wrote a long and passionate outpouring Of
love to Gertrude.
On his next VISIT to the Bannisters
Grace went with Howard, and was in
stantly approved by Mrs. Bannister. AS
beautiful a girl as Grace was In herself
decided attraction to the Bannister Sun
day teas and dinners. Besides" said
Mrs. Bannister. Miss Paxton Is clever
girl, and WIN have an influence on Madge.
Miss Paxton likes men. she likes women,
she likes her kind. a. sane people should;
and q girl like Madge II more inclined to
G follow the example Of a girl Of her own
age than to follow the precepts OF her.
own mother. And Miss Paxton taking up
this study-what DO you call TT house
painting-makes her so interesting"
One of the members Of tho neighbor-
hood Country Club who seemed to ap-
rarnva of Mrs RannIatarya enthusiasm nuar