The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-25


ute than at any time of "Alcide as i0
had first known her.
II wonder" she said, how mucn you
care"
Il care as a man cares only once In
his life" he answered promptly. w , neh
it comes there is no mistaking IL
did it come-in Paris?" -,
"I do not know" he answered.
do not think so. What does IL mat
ter? 1t is here. and it here to stay.
Do help me, Lady Ferringhal. 1o on
need not be afraid. No trouble VIII
ever come to your sister through me me;
If this idiotic marriage is binding theh
/ will be her friend. But l have pow
erful friends. 1 only want to know
the truth and L will move heaven ana
earth to have it set aside.
1.-The TRUTH" she murmured, with her
eyes fixed upon him. Well"
She stopped short. He looked a. her
in some embarrassment.
Forgive me-" he said. "but want
TO hear it from your sister. 1t is her
duty to tell me, and l would not nave
her think that l had been trying TO
work upon your sympathies to learn
her secrets"
She was silent.
You will go and see her" he begged.
Yes. 1 will CO." she promised, with
queer little smile. 1T Is against my
husbands orders, and I am not sure
that my sister will be particularly glad
to see me. But I viii 60
II shall always be grateful to you'
he declared.
Don't be too sure Of that" she an
swered automatically.
She looked at herself in the glass,
long and earnestly.
Blind fool" she exclaimed under
her breath. why cannot he guess the
truth? I have done my hair In the old
Of Off rOHUp- Yet ne
hasn't the faintest idea"
Sir John came home from board
meeting and she gave him some tea
1t CHANGED that there were no other
callers He looked at her once or twice
curiously.
us it nv fancy, Anna2" he asked.
cor have you done your hair different
ly?"
She laughed bitterly.
1T Is pleasant to have some one no
tice these things" she declared. you
were complaining the other day, were
you not, that I had changed so much!
For your private benefit, and for TINS
afternoon only, I have reverted to the
old style. I can't alter the color, but
you must take that for granted
Sir John rose solemnly from his
chair and, coming over to her side,
stopped and kissed her.
She accepted his embrace passively.
He returned TO his seat.
Il hope" he said. that you will not
be DUR this evening. This electtoneer-
ing is becoming wearisome, but 1t Is
necessity"
"Thank-you," she said. II shall not
mind a quiet evening at all If 1 am
dull 1 shall go round and see Sylvia
Mannering."
BE sure that you take a carriage
and your maid" he said. Il wish that
l could ask you TO come with me. L
am afraid, however, that 1t will be a
rather rough meeting"
She yawned.
Il wish she said, that politics was
not so deadly dull"
Il am sorry" he answered quietly,
that YOU find ii so. 1 trust, how
ever. you will remember that shall
expect You to give me some of your
time next week
What a borei" she answered, alb
stractedly.
Sir John frowneI. He looked across
at his wife in disapprOval.
ct seems to me, Anna" he said,
chat lately you find most things
bore"
Il am afraid / do" she admitted.
Sir John leaned forward in his chair.
1T is an ungraciOus task" he said,
ito refer to the change in your life
which have been able to bring about.
but you force me to remind you Of
certain things. 1 found you in Paris
absolutely poverty stricken, and in real
or apparent distress concerning the
misbehavior Of your sister. Forgive
me, Anna, but 1 see no c--use for
mirth."
The smile faded from her lips.
II agree with you," she said. Go
on"
ut suited you." he continued, ito
make yourself a very charming COM
70 ALWAYS
bright and cheerful, and any little ex-
petition which planned you seemed to
enter into and enjoy. l myself, fear,
am a somewhat dull person. For that
reason perhaps you were more than or
dnarily attracted to me. We were mar
ried, and you yourself shall be the
Judge whether you have not been since
then a changed woman. You may
saw that 1 am a depressing person to
live with You see very little more Of
me now than during the few weeks
before we were married, and you GER
tainly did not appear to find me such
them
pear me-" Annabel exclaimed.
"This is a perfect indictment. You
combat my excuses before I make
them. I shall be crushed fiat"
II think you can scarcely fail to
recognize the truth OF what 1 say"
Sir John declared. you complained
a week, of my house at Hampstead. of
my friends. 1 have let you choose
your own residence, you are here to
make such friends as your position
entities you to. 1 have not deceived
you on one single point. On the con-
trary, I have done far more than L
ever promised. Am I unreasonable.
therefore, If l look to you for some
better evidence-of your apprecia-
ton ?"
A spark OF real sympathy-or per-
haps 1t was remorse-touched Anna
bel. She rose to her feet and bending
lightly over his chair, kissed him on
the lips.
you poor old thing" she exclaln-
ed. 81 believe you're quite right I'm
not half so sweet as I ought to be-"
Sir John was gratifed. He APP
peared ridiculously pleased. He re-
tanned hold of her fingers.
THAT is very charming Of you.
dear" he said. You know what
heard a man call me in the club the
o41,ar do1v uhan he heard that had