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

that 1 have ever failed in doing So"
You are at least aware he said,
that. you have on several recent oc-
casicns acted in direct opposition to
my wishes"
For example,"
Your dyed hair. I was perfectly
satisfied with your appearance. 1 con-
slider even now that the present color
is far less becoming. Then you have
altered not only that, but your man
ner OF dressing it. You have darkened
your eyebrows, you have even changed
your style Of dress You have shown
an almost feverish anxiety to eliminate
from your personal appearance all
that reminded me Of you-when we
first met
We'll" she said, has there not been
some reason for this? The likeness to
Annabel could scarcely have escaped
remark. You forget that every one
is going to the Universal to see
her
He frowned heavily.
Il wish that / could forget it," he
said. Fortunately 1 believe that the
relationship is not generally known. l
trust that 10 unpleasant rumors will
be circulated before the election, at any
rate"
Annabel yawned.
They might do you good" she re-
marked. "Alcide is very popular.
Sir John turned toward the door.
1T does not appear to me-" he said,
stiffiy, ito be an affair for jests.
Annabel laughed derisively and took
I'D her book She heard her husbands
heavy tread descending the stairs and
the wheels Of his carriage as he drove
off Then she threw the volume away
with a little impatient exclamation.
She rose from her chair and began
walking up and down the room rest
Iessly Every now and then she fin
gered an ornament, moved piece of
furniture, or rearranged some draper
les once she stopped in front of
mirror and looked at herself thought
fully.
Il am getting plain" she said, with
a little shudder. This life is killing
mel Oh. it is dull, dull, dull"
Suddenly an idea seemed to strike
her. She went to her room and changed
the loose morning gown in which she
had lunched for a dark walking dress.
A few minutes later she left the house
on foot and taking a hanson at the
corner of the Square, drove to Anna s
fat
Anna was having tea by herself
when she entered. She rose at once
with little exclamation, half Of sur
prise, half Of pleasure.
MY dear Annabel," she said, this
is delightful, but 1 thought that it was
forbidden"
1T is" AnnabeI answered shortly.
But ] wanted to see you"
Anna wheeled an easy chair to the
fire.
You will have some tea?" she asked.
Annabel ignored both the chair and
the invitation. She was looking about
her. her face was dark with anger. The
little room was fragrant with flowers,
rrrffh oil
evidences of well being. Annabel was
conscious then of the slow anger which
had been burning within her since the
night of her visit to the Universal.
Her voice trembled with suppressed
passion.
Il have come for an explanation"
she said. You are an impostor. How
dare YOU use my name and sing my
scngs?"
Anna looked at her sister in blank
amazement
sAnnabel." she exclaimed. why,
what is the matter with you? What
do you mean?"
AnnabeI laughed scornfully.
"Oh, you know" she said. Don't
be a hypocrite. You are not 'Alcide.'
You have no right to call yourself
'Alcide' You used to declare that you
hated the name. You used to beg me
for hours at a time to give it all up.
never to go near the ambassador s.
again. And yet the moment 1 am
safely out Of the way you are content
to dress yourself in my rags. to go and
get yourself popular and admired and
successful, all on my reputation"
"Annabell Annabel"'
Annabel stamped her foot Her
tone was hoarse with passion.
"Oh, you can acti" she cried. You
can look as innocent and shocked as
4 70 l. -l7A ant
you those
She pointed with shaking finger to
a great bunch of dark red carnations,
thrust carelessIy into a deep china
bowl. to which the card was still at
tackled Anna followed her finger and
looked back into her sisters face.
They were sent to me by Mr.. Nigel
Ennison. Annabel. How on earth does
il concern your"
Annabel laughed hardly.
: Concern met she repeated fierce
~. You are not content then with
. stealing from me my name. You would
steal from me then the only man
ever cared a snap of the fingers about.
They are not your flowers. They are
mine! They were sent to 'Alcide,' not
to you"
Anna rose to her feet At last she
was reused. Her cheeks were flushed
and her eyes bright.
"Annabel.'' she said, you are my
sister, or / would bid you take the
flowers II you care for them and leave
the room. But behind these things
which you have said to me there must
be others Of which I know nothing.
You speak as one injured-as though
I had been the one to take your name
AS though you had been the one
TO make sacrifices. In your heart you
know very we'll that this Is absurd.
1t is yop who took my name, not 1
Xnllrs II is WIN fnnk the burden