The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-11
should happen to make him change his

Anna stopped snort. suddenly she
understood. She grew perhaps a shade
paler, and she glanced out into the
street, where her fOur-wheeler cab,
laden with luggage, was still waiting
''Sir John, OF course, disapproves Of
me-" she remarked slowly.
'Sir John is man Of the world" her
aunt answered coldly. He naturally
does not wish fer connections which
are-I do not wish to hurt your feel
ings, Anna, but I must say it-not al
together desirable"
The irrepressible smile curved Annals
lips. She glanced toward her sister,
and curiously enough found in her face
some faint reflection of her own rather
somber mirth. She leaned back in her
chair. 1t was no use. The smile had
become laugh. She laughed till the
tears stood In her eyes.
II had a visit from Sir John in my
rooms" she said. Did he tell you,
Annabel?'
Yes"
HE mentioned the matter to me
Also" Miss Pellissier remarked stifly.
1.-The visit seems to have made most
painful impression upon him. To tell
you the truth. he spoke to me very Sc
riously upon the subject"
Anna sprang up.
'T will be off," she declared. my
cab with all that luggage would give
the whole show away. Good-by,
aunt
Miss Pellissier tried Intellectually to
conceal her relief.
1T do not like to seem inhospitable.
-
course you are my niece just as Anna
bel is, although 1 am sorry to learn
that your conduct has been much less
discreet than hers. But at the same
time, must say plainly that 1 think
your presence here just now would be
a great misfortune. 1 wish very much
that you had written before leaving
Paris"
Anna nodded.
quite right" she said. II ought to
have done. Good-by, aunt. Ill come
and see you again later on. Annabel,
come to the door with me-" she added
q little abruptly. There is something
which I must say to you
Annabel rose and followed her sister
from the room. A maid-servant held
the front door open. Anna sent her
away.
"Annabel," she said brusquely.
Listen to me-
''Well?"
"Sir John came to me that you
know-and you can guess what [ told
him. No, never mind about thanking
me. I want to ask you a plain ques-
ton, and you must answer me faith
fully. Is all that folly done with-for
ever?"
Annabel shivered ever so slightly.
"Of course it is, Anna. You ought to
know that 1 am going to make fresh
start"
BE very sure that you do" Anna
said slowly. "If thought for a moment
that there was any chance of a relapse
1 should stop here and tell him the
truth even now"
Annabel looked at her with terrified
eyes.
Anna" she cried you must be-
lieve me- 1 am really in earnest.
would not have him know-now-for
the world
VERY WELL" Anna said. IT will be-
lieve you. Remember that he's not at
all a bad sort, and to speak frankly
he's your salvation. Try and let him
never regret it. There's plenty to be
got out of life in a decent sort OF way.
Be good wife to him. You can if
you will"
II promise" Annabel declared. He
is very kind, Anna. really, and not half
such a prig as he seems"
Anna moved towards the door, but
her sister detained her.
Wont you tell me why you have
come to England? she said. cit was
that you loved Paris and your work
so much
A momentary bitterness crept into
II have made no progress with my
work" she said slowly, land the money
was gone. had to ask Mr. Courtlaw
for his true verdict, and he gave it
me. I have given up painting"
ANIMAL"
1T is true, dear After all there are
other things. All that 1 regret are the
wasted years, and 1 am not sure that
I regret them. Only of course 1 must
begin something else at once. That is
why l came to London
But what are you going to do
where are you going TO live?" Annabel
asked. Have you any money!"
Lots" Anna answered laconically.
Never mind me. l always fall on my
feet, you know"
You will let us hear from you-let
us know~where you are, very soon?"
Annabel called out from the step.
Anna nodded as she briskly crossed
the pavement.
Some day." she answered. run in
now. There's hanson coming round
the corner
Annabel disappeared precipitately.
Miss Pellissier was standing at the
window Of her little drawing-room
when her niece entered. watching the
departing cab and dabbing her eyes
with a lavender-perfumed handker-
chief.
She never looked back once, Anna
bel not once!" she exclaimed. IT waved
my hand. too. Really. 1t Is most I'M
fortunate that she should have come
to London just now. It is evident.
too, that she intended to stay here. OF
course, 1t was quite impossible. with
Sir John here so often and feeling as
he does about her. Did she tell you her
plans, Annabel?"
The girl shook her head.
I'm afraid she hasn't any. All the
same don't think we need worry about
her. aunt. Anna always falls upon her
feet. i never knew any one SO capable
of looking after herself